The merchants usually form family concerns, with a son in the caravan business and an other as agent in Kanesh. Investments by other people also are significant. Partnerships are entered with moneylenders to finance the transactions. The value of 30 mine gold corresponds to the equivalent of 600 slaves or 1000 yearly wages of an average workman. If someone takes a share in a zak-contract he pays half of it in silver which is booked as the equivalent in gold.
Silver is a medium of exchange.
Dividend is paid during the term of the contract. Special rates apply at half-term withdrawal. An exquisite example of bronze sculpture in the civilization is this statue from Mohenjodaro attesting to the competence of the metallurgists of this major trading centre of the Sarasvati-Sindhu doab. Harappa More bead samples of the civilization with soldered metal joiners.