Answer:
In a small economy, cans of tuna and silver ingots could reasonably serve as money. Tuna is non-perishable and divisible, while silver ingots embody the standard qualities of durability, divisibility, and stable value. Apples and eggs are perishable, and automobiles lack divisibility and transportability for small transactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Commodity and Fiat Money
Money serves as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value in an economy. In the context of a small economy, not all goods can serve as effective forms of money. When considering commodity money, which is any good used as money while also having intrinsic value, certain characteristics are crucial for it to be practical: durability, divisibility, transportability, and a stable value.
Cans of tuna: These could serve as money as they are durable, non-perishable within a certain time frame, and divisible. However, their value might fluctuate depending on preservation and expiration.
Apples: These are perishable and may not retain a stable value or store of value effectively.
Silver ingots: They are durable, divisible, and have intrinsic value, making them a strong candidate for money in a small economy.
Eggs: Similar to apples, eggs are perishable and fail to meet the criteria for durability and stable value.
Automobiles: While they hold value, they are not divisible or easily transportable for small transactions.
Based on these qualifications, cans of tuna and silver ingots would be the most reasonable to serve as money. Although both have inherent value, silver ingots more conventionally align with the characteristics of money.