We use money every day to pay for things we buy.
Thousands of years ago, the money was not used. Instead, man had the “barter” system. This meant that if one wanted something he had, he had to find someone who had this thing. Then he had to offer him something in exchange. And if that person didn't like what he was offered, the first man couldn't get what he needed.
Over time, certain things were used as money, because virtually everyone would take these things in exchange. In the past people used shells, beads, beans, cocoa, salt, grain, tobacco, leather, and even cattle. But coins are much easier to use than, say, cattle. Them easy to store and carry.
They were first made from either gold or silver. They were imprinted with the brand name. Printing was showing how much each coin was worth.
Later, people began to use coins made of cheaper metals. Metal just had no value, but the coins still had value on the basis of printing, imprinted on them. People have also started to use paper money. No longer mattered that the money itself had no real value. This is the kind of money we use today.