Money

This beautifully illustrated edition provides an engaging excursion into the history of currency – from the ancient coins of the Lydian kingdom, Persia, and Ancient Greece to modern banknotes of the United Kingdom, Russia, the United States, and eurozone countries. You will learn who the first currency notes of Rome were named after, how Alexander the Great used his own portraits on gold to strengthen his power in conquered territories, and how the evolution of coinage reflected the ambitions of great emperors of the past. By thoroughly exploring the path from the first metal ingots to high-tech payment methods, the author reveals not only the specifics of coin production but also their role as a crucial instrument of politics and a symbol of state power. The edition covers a vast geography, detailing the currency systems of countries around the world: from the first Chinese bronze money in the form of knives and spades to the modern polymer banknotes of New Zealand and Canada. The pages of the book provide comprehensive information about the currencies that are in actual circulation in various states, including details on their production time, size, and material. There are also fascinating facts from the history of national currencies, examined in an inseparable connection with the key stages of statehood formation. The rich illustrative series allows for the study of the smallest details of coins and banknotes from around the world in all their diversity. This edition is aimed at a wide audience, offering a perspective on money not only as a means of payment but also as a vital cultural and social phenomenon of human civilization.