This book represents an attempt to depict the late Roman and Byzantine monetary economy in its fullest possible social, economic and administrative context, with the aim of establishing the basic dynamics behind the production of the coinage, the major mechanisms affecting its distribution, and the general characteristics of its behaviour once in circulation. The book consists of four main sections, on economy and society, on finance, and on the circulation and production of coinage, and has made an unrivalled contribution in the field of late classical, Byzantine and medieval economic history. The text is fully supported by the extensive quotation of translated sources, and by maps, tables and plates.
Oh man, another book that really challenged me as a reader. BEWARE! This isn't a book, it's an encyclopedia of monetary policey over a 1000 year time span. I was interested in this book since the Eastern Roman Empire was on a very strict gold standard during it history and wanted to know more. I got information overload from this thing. I could stand to reread it about 100x more times and still never remember everything presented herein. It sits on my bookshelf now mocking me while I admire it from afar.... very afar.