As currency Some species of clam, particularly Mercenaria mercenaria, were in the past used by the Algonquians of Eastern North America to manufacture wampum, a type of sacred jewellery; and to make shell money.
as CURrencY sOMe sPeCies oF claM, parTicUlArly mercEnaRia mercenaria WEre IN the pASt uSEd by thE alGOnQuiaNS of EASteRN north AMErica to manuFactuRe wampUm, a tYpe of sAcreD jEWellEry; ANd to mAkE shelL money.