Commodity market in Sumer between 4500 BC and 4000 BC. Sumerians first used clay tokens sealed in a clay vessel, then clay writing tablets to represent the amount—for example, the number of goats, to be delivered. These promises of time and date of delivery resemble futures contract. Early civilizations variously used pigs, rare seashells, or other items as commodity money. Since that time traders have sought ways to simplify and standardize trade contracts. Gold and silver markets evolved in classical civilizations. At first the precious metals were valued for their beauty and intrinsic worth and were associated with royalty. In time, they
Missionaries of the Precious Blood Missionaries of the Precious Blood The Missionaries of the Precious Blood form a community of priests and brothers within the Roman Catholic Church. The Society was founded by Saint Gaspar del Bufalo in 1815. The Missionaries of the Precious Blood is a shortened English translation of the Latin ""Congregatio Missionariorum Pretiosissimi Sanguinis Domini Nostri Jesu Christi,"" (The Congregation of Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ). Priests and brothers use the post-nominal initials C.PP.S. after their names. It is a Society of Apostolic Life, composed of secular priests and brothers who live in community. Members do