Discover the origins and evolution of money through a famed 17th–18th century collection
This edition gathers scarce tracts on money, from the early view of money’s nature to the policies that shaped coinage in Britain and Ireland. Readers will encounter original voices from Vaughan, Cotton, Petty, Lowndes, Newton, Prior, Harris, and others, presented with editorial notes and context.
This volume offers a guided tour of foundational ideas about wealth, standard measures, and the political and economic debates that influenced monetary policy. It’s ideal for readers of economic history and those curious about how money, coins, and exchanges have been understood and contested over time.
- Early theories of wealth and the origin of money, as written by contemporary scholars
- Discussion of coins, standards, debasement, and the politics of currency
- Key figures and debates, including the roles of Newton, Lowndes, and Locke
- Historical notes and tables tracing coin values, weights, and exchange
Ideal for readers of financial history, the book offers a clear window into how monetary ideas developed and how those ideas influenced real policy and practice.