Money

This beautifully illustrated publication is an engaging excursion into the history of currency – from the ancient coins of the Lydian kingdom, Persia, and Ancient Greece to modern banknotes of Great Britain, Russia, the USA, and eurozone countries. You will learn who the first Roman currency was named after, how Alexander the Great used his own portraits on gold to solidify power in conquered territories, and how the evolution of coinage reflected the ambitions of great emperors of the past. By thoroughly exploring the journey from the first metal ingots to high-tech payment methods, the author reveals not only the specifics of currency production but also their role as a crucial political tool and symbol of state power. The publication covers a vast geography, detailing the currency systems of countries around the world: from the first Chinese bronze money shaped like knives and spades to the modern polymer banknotes of New Zealand and Canada. The pages of the book provide comprehensive information about the currency currently in circulation in various states, including the time of production, size, and material. It also contains interesting facts from the history of national currencies, considered inextricably linked to key stages of statehood formation. A rich illustrative array will allow the study of the smallest details of coins and banknotes from around the world in all their diversity. The publication is aimed at a wide audience of readers, offering a perspective on money not only as a means of payment but also as a crucial cultural and social phenomenon of human civilization.