>I could imagine a market of 100% barter and no generally accepted currency Even under a barter system, there is an intrinsic profit. If you're a farmer, after

>I could imagine a market of 100% barter and no generally accepted currency Even under a barter system, there is an intrinsic profit. If you're a farmer, after you feed your family, what's leftover is the surplus (i.e. profit) that you use to trade for other essentials. The difference that matters between a currency system and a barter system is that bartering is less flexible (if someone doesn't want your apples for their furniture, you're not getting that furniture) - but the same forces apply.