The True Value

"We're here for money." The tall, gaunt alien said in perfect English.
The president looked at his cabinet members, lost for words. Were they asking for ransom? Did they have unimaginable weapons pointed at earth? The most powerful man on the planet was at a loss. Cold beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
"Like this." He took a device out of his bag, opened it, and a hologram projection appeared out of thin air. An old book. More specifically, a Gutenberg bible. It drifted out of the center of the projection to be replaced by a roll of the Torah. Then the Koran. Sun Tzu's the Art of War. A copy of the US Constitution. Emerson, Poe, Twain. All looked like depictions of early editions of the works. "We are prepared to offer our money in return. Big money." He reached for a shiny metal rectangular box by his side. It had looked solid until he did something to it and reached inside, pulling several ancient looking spherical objects and one newer looking one. He twisted the newer sphere and it expanded, unfolding like an alien origami, exposing several surfaces with tiny scribbles on them. "This is a key. It will allow you to translate the others into Earth languages. We believe that's a fair trade, as you will see. And it will be just the beginning. We look forward to dealing with you."

The president asked "Why do you call this money?" The alien smiled, exposing blue-tinted teeth.

"Yes, you are a young species... From our research into your culture, what you call money is the ultimate symbol of power, is it not? You will learn from our money. Then this, and much more, will become clear to you."