Complimentary Currencies

A complementary currency is a currency or medium of exchange that is not a national currency, and not usually legal tender, but that is thought of as supplementing or complementing national currencies

The use of complementary currencies is based on agreement between the parties exchanging the currency. According to Jérôme Blanc of Laboratoire d’Économie de la Firme et des Institutions, complementary currencies aim to protect, stimulate or orientate the economy. They may also be used to advance particular social, environmental, or political goals. When speaking about complementary currencies, a number of overlapping and often interchangeable terms are in use: local or community currencies are complementary currencies used within a locality or other form of community (such as business-based or online communities); regional currencies are similar to local currencies, but are used within a larger geographical region; and sectoral currencies are complementary currencies used within a single economic sector, such as education or health care.

Examples of Complimentary Currencies, over the years.

Name

Type

Country

Brixton Pound

Local currency

United Kingdom

Bristol Pound

Local currency

United Kingdom

Belfast coin

Local currency