Some treasures aren’t hidden in chests — they’re scattered along the shoreline.
At Sea Coins, we’ve always drawn inspiration from the small details of the ocean: the shells you collect on slow beach walks, the treasures revealed by a low tide, and the natural textures that make the coastline so unique.
Our newest surf hat, Mermaid Money, was inspired by one of the ocean’s most fascinating pieces of history. Long before modern coins and paper money existed, shells were used as a form of currency in many cultures around the world. In particular, cowrie shells were widely traded across Africa, Asia, India and the Pacific Islands for thousands of years.
They were valued because they were durable, portable, difficult to counterfeit and especially rare inland. In some regions, shells were even used to pay taxes and trade for goods well into the 19th century. This idea of shells as the ocean’s currency is what inspired the name Mermaid Money — a playful nod to the treasures the sea has always provided.
Mermaid Money features a soft sage green base paired with delicate white shell accents, reflecting the natural tones of sea grass, coastal dunes and shells washed up along the shore. The result is a design that feels fresh, calm and effortlessly coastal — subtle enough for everyday wear while still capturing the magic of the ocean.
Like all Sea Coins hats, Mermaid Money is designed for long days outdoors. Whether you’re heading out for a morning swim or surf, spending the day on the boat, searching for shells or diving your favourite reefs, this hat is built to keep up. Lightweight, comfortable and made for sun protection, it’s the kind of hat you’ll reach for again and again.
Mermaid Money is a reminder that the ocean has always held its own kind of wealth — not just in treasures like shells, but in the moments, we spend around her. That’s the real kind of currency.
Mermaid Money is available now. 🌊🐚
