The Brixton Pound was created in September 2009, originally as a physical paper currency. Two years later, it became a mobile pay-by-text service used by more than 250 local businesses.
Brixton Pound - UK —
The Brixton Pound was created in September 2009, originally as a physical paper currency. Two years later, it became a mobile pay-by-text service used by more than 250 local businesses.
Brixton Pound
David Bowie, who lived in Brixton from 1947 to 1953, was one of the local heroes featured in the second edition of Brixton Pounds that were unveiled in September 2011.
Brixton Pound - UK —
David Bowie, who lived in Brixton from 1947 to 1953, was one of the local heroes featured in the second edition of Brixton Pounds that were unveiled in September 2011.
Brixton Pound
Launched in 2012, the Bristol Pound is the United Kingdom's first city-wide local currency. In all, the country is home to five local currency schemes: Totnes, Lewes, Stroud, Brixton and Bristol.
Bristol Pound - UK —
Launched in 2012, the Bristol Pound is the United Kingdom's first city-wide local currency. In all, the country is home to five local currency schemes: Totnes, Lewes, Stroud, Brixton and Bristol.
Mark Simmons
"We're actually encouraging other towns and regions of the UK to start local currencies, and they can use all our systems," says Chris Sunderland, director of the Bristol Pound. "We've got the digital payment system that we're now developing, so others can just use it -- they don't have to go through quite the same development process," he adds. "And we know how to do the paper Bristol pounds so we can help with that as well."
Bristol Pound - UK —
"We're actually encouraging other towns and regions of the UK to start local currencies, and they can use all our systems," says Chris Sunderland, director of the Bristol Pound. "We've got the digital payment system that we're now developing, so others can just use it -- they don't have to go through quite the same development process," he adds. "And we know how to do the paper Bristol pounds so we can help with that as well."
Mark Simmons
Berkshares was launched in 2006 in the mountain community of Southern Berkshire, Massachusetts. Residents can use them at more than 400 local businesses.
Berkshares - United States —
Berkshares was launched in 2006 in the mountain community of Southern Berkshire, Massachusetts. Residents can use them at more than 400 local businesses.
Darren McCollester/Getty Images/file
They come in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 denominations and feature local heroes, including "Moby Dick" author Herman Melville.
Berkshares - United States —
They come in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 denominations and feature local heroes, including "Moby Dick" author Herman Melville.
Darren McCollester/Getty Images/file
In Germany, several local currencies have popped up in recent years. The most widespread is the Chiemgauer, a currency that started as a school project in southern Germany in 2003.
Chiemgauer - Germany —
In Germany, several local currencies have popped up in recent years. The most widespread is the Chiemgauer, a currency that started as a school project in southern Germany in 2003.
Chiemgauer eV/Friedrich Hechelmann/Michael Ende
The currency has denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Chiemgauer. There is currently 700,000 Chiemgauer in circulation -- 200,000 of which is in paper money and the rest electronic. Notes feature Cassiopeia -- a tortoise from Michael Ende's fantasy book Momo.
Chiemgauer - Germany —
The currency has denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Chiemgauer. There is currently 700,000 Chiemgauer in circulation -- 200,000 of which is in paper money and the rest electronic. Notes feature Cassiopeia -- a tortoise from Michael Ende's fantasy book Momo.
Chiemgauer eV
The Totnes Pound first appeared in the small town of Totnes in southwestern England in 2007. Its latest set of notes come with many security features, including watermarked paper, holograms and engraved silver foil.
Totnes Pound - UK —
The Totnes Pound first appeared in the small town of Totnes in southwestern England in 2007. Its latest set of notes come with many security features, including watermarked paper, holograms and engraved silver foil.
Rick Lawrence/Samskara Design
Recently, the scheme has worked together with the Bristol Pound to implement a new electronic currency software which allows clients to order with all participating businesses through a one-stop online shop.
Totnes Pound - UK —
Recently, the scheme has worked together with the Bristol Pound to implement a new electronic currency software which allows clients to order with all participating businesses through a one-stop online shop.
Rick Lawrence/Samskara Design
The Occitan local currency was launched in 2010 in the southwestern French town of Pezenas with the aim to boost local economic activity.
Occitan - France —
The Occitan local currency was launched in 2010 in the southwestern French town of Pezenas with the aim to boost local economic activity.
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images/file
The currency note commemorated French playwright and actor Moliere, who started his career in Pezenas.
Occitan - France —
The currency note commemorated French playwright and actor Moliere, who started his career in Pezenas.
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images/file