Money in the Dutch Republic: Everyday Practice and Circuits of Exchange

In the 1600-1850 period, Sebastian Felten investigated the regional, European, and global exchange circuits by examining everyday practices in Dutch cities and villages. He demonstrates how money was a social technology that aided peasants, artisans, stewards, churchmen, merchants, and metallurgists in carving out a livelihood, with vivid examples of accounting and assaying practices. This book uses new archival evidence and a technology-history-informed approach to show how plural currencies gave early modern users considerable agency, but the move to uniform national currency limited this agency in the nineteenth century, helping us understand the new plurality of payments systems today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 10 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Dutch Republic played a significant role in the early modern world economy, serving as a bustling hub where a multitude of currencies coexisted. In his insightful work, Sebastian Felten delves into the intricate networks of exchange across regional, European, and global spheres, examining the everyday practices of cities and villages in the period spanning 1600 to 1850. Through his meticulous analysis, Felten unveils the profound impact of money on the lives of peasants, craftsmen, stewards, churchmen, merchants, and metallurgists alike. He reveals how money became an indispensable social technology, enabling them to sustain livelihoods and navigate the complexities of the early modern economy.

Felten's book offers a valuable key to understanding the inner workings of early modern money through vivid examples of accounting and assaying practices. By employing new archival evidence and drawing upon the rich history of technology, he sheds light on how plural currencies granted users considerable agency in the early modern world. The book explores the limitations imposed by the move towards uniform national currency in the nineteenth century, thereby contributing to our understanding of the diverse array of payment systems that exist today.

In conclusion, Sebastian Felten's work is a groundbreaking exploration of the role of money in the early modern world. Through his meticulous analysis and innovative approach, he provides a deep understanding of the complex networks of exchange, the agency of users, and the historical developments that shaped the monetary landscape. This book is a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts alike, offering valuable insights into the past and implications for the present.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 159 x 293 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009098847
Edition number: New ed