Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of money?

Money serves several essential functions in the economy, and understanding these functions is crucial to identifying its characteristics. A feature that is not a characteristic of money would typically indicate something that does not fulfill any of its primary roles.

The first three choices—means of payment, unit of account, and store of value—represent the fundamental characteristics of money.

• As a means of payment, money facilitates transactions by serving as an accepted method to exchange goods and services.
• As a unit of account, it provides a standard measure of value, allowing individuals to compare the worth of different items easily and effectively.
• As a store of value, money retains its value over time, enabling individuals to save and transfer purchasing power into the future.

When the option states "none of the above," it implies that all listed options are indeed characteristics of money, confirming their essential roles in economic transactions. Thus, the selected answer highlights that the initial options accurately represent money's characteristics, reinforcing the understanding that money encompasses these critical functions. This comprehensive view emphasizes the importance of recognizing the multiple roles that money plays in the economy.