Symbols of Power: Ten Coins That Changed the World

by Thomas Hockenhull (Editor)

Money makes the world. For millennia, currencies have brought order (and disorder) to human society, directing trade, growing economies, developing national identities and religions--and spreading empires. More than ever, money's power to shape our character, our politics, and our daily lives is clear.

This revelatory history of ten major currencies details how the trajectory of world civilization is bound up with the movement of money. From the earliest measures of precious metals to the global fiat currencies we use today, the evolution of the shekel, the drachma, the denarius, the florin, the franc, the mark, the rupee, the yen, the pound, and the dollar tracks closely with the rise and fall of influential rulers, governments, and imperial powers. These coins have acted as powerful symbols of political expression and continuity despite deeply disruptive social, economic, and political change. Rich with illustrations from the famous collections at the British Museum and elsewhere, this book charts the fascinating path of each coin as it has traveled throughout history.

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2015

Reviews

[Brandi Shimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book at the british museum on holiday, originally got it for my dad who loves coins. But i ended up reading it and found it so fascinating. The history of coins and their use alongside culturee, had me hooked!

[Martin Willoughby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Christian K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrong title. Should be 10 currencies that changed the world.