When Money Talks: A History of Coins and Numismatics

Coinage is one of the most successful and consistent technologies ever invented, with a history dating back to 2600 years. Historian Frank L. Holt takes us on a journey through the history of numismatics, the study of coins, and explores how coins have appeared in literature and pop culture. Coins are integral to our economic, social, political, religious, and cultural history.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 336 pages
\n Publication date: 13 October 2021
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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Coinage stands as one of the most remarkable and enduring technologies ever conceived, leaving an indelible mark on human history. Nothing else we employ in our daily lives possesses such a profound and intricate past. As we survey the surrounding world, filled with wonders that would bewilder our Greek, Roman, or Renaissance ancestors, we can also reach into our pockets or purses and uncover a tangible artifact that instantly connects us to their world. Historian Frank L. Holt invites us on a captivating journey through the realm of numismatics, the study of coins, one of the oldest and most significant contributions to the arts and humanities. For over two millennia, poets, economists, philosophers, historians, and theologians have delved into the enigmatic mysteries of money. Who invented coins, and what drove their creation? Does coinage possess an independent consciousness, acting beyond our control? How has it shaped the course of world history and culture? What profound insights does numismatics offer about our past, inaccessible through any other means? How has numismatics evolved alongside modern science, and does it still harbor remnants of racist notions regarding physiognomy and phrenology? What lies ahead for this field?

The approach adopted in this vividly illustrated book is as multifaceted as the coins themselves. Coins hold a vital place in our economic, social, political, religious, and cultural heritage. When Money Talks: The History of Coins delves into every facet of coinage, with a particular focus on its appearance in literature and popular culture, spanning a wide range of analysis, from Greek drama and the New Testament to T.V. sitcoms and meme theory.

\n Weight: 744g\n
Dimension: 173 x 242 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780197517659\n \n