From the Athenian Tetradrachm to the Euro: Studies in European Monetary Integration

The euro is not the first pan-national currency, but it is a step back to the future, following a long historical tradition of international currencies such as the Athenian tetradrachm, Spanish peso, and French franc. This volume covers a timespan of two and a half millennia, with contributions from classical antiquity to the modern age, exploring the European experience, the classical gold standard, the Bretton Woods system, and the euro's origins and birth.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The advent of the euro has brought significant attention to the role of currencies and their national and international significance. While the euro's achievements in harmonizing Europe's financial transactions are widely recognized, it is important to note that it is not the first pan-national currency to enter circulation. In fact, as the various contributions to this volume demonstrate, the euro can be seen as a step back to the future, representing a continuation of a long historical tradition of international currencies. Spanning a remarkable two and a half millennia, the contributions within this volume are organized into four broad chronological sections. The first section encompasses three contributions that explore aspects of European experience from classical antiquity to the high middle ages. The discussion then proceeds chronologically to the modern age, with three contributions dedicated to nineteenth-century European developments. These contributions are contextualized within a broader spatial perspective by two essays that examine the classical gold standard, primarily in terms of peripheral economies' experiences, and the Bretton Woods system. Finally, the euro's origins and birth are explored in three additional contributions. By taking a long-term view of supra-national currencies, this volume offers a unique perspective on the introduction and development of the euro, as well as its predecessors, and on the broader issue of the relationship between trade and common currencies.

The introduction of the euro has sparked a renewed interest in the role of currencies and their significance on a national and international level. While the euro's achievements in harmonizing Europe's financial dealings are widely acknowledged, it is crucial to remember that it is not the first pan-national currency to enter circulation. In fact, as the various contributions to this volume illustrate, the euro can be viewed as a step back to the future, representing a continuation of a long historical tradition of international currencies. Spanning a remarkable two and a half millennia, the contributions within this volume are organized into four broad chronological sections. The first section encompasses three contributions that delve into the aspects of European experience from classical antiquity to the high middle ages. The discussion then progresses chronologically, moving from the ancient era to the modern age. Three contributions are dedicated to nineteenth-century European developments, providing a comprehensive perspective on the historical context within which the euro emerged. These contributions are contextualized within a broader spatial context by two essays that examine the classical gold standard, primarily in terms of peripheral economies' experiences, and the Bretton Woods system. Finally, the euro's origins and birth are explored in three additional contributions. By taking a long-term view of supra-national currencies, this volume offers a unique perspective on the introduction and development of the euro, as well as its predecessors, and on the broader issue of the relationship between trade and common currencies.

ISBN-13: 9781138619708