Shelling Out -- The Origins of Money

[Severian]

Shelling Out -- The Origins of Money by Nick Szabo

Great read if you like history, law and economics. Apologies if it's a repost.

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Love Szabo, he's a very smart guy, and has an interesting blog worth subscribing to, beyond his important role in Bitcoin's history.

And regarding the origins of money, here's a nice juxtaposition of the first state-issued coin in history, as mentioned in the article, next to the coin that will (hopefully) end the era of state-controlled money:

[Severian]

And regarding the origins of money, here's a nice juxtaposition of the first state-issued coin in history, as mentioned in the article, next to the coin that will (hopefully) end the era of state-controlled money:

Those Lydian coins were made of electrum. I suppose it's just a coincidence that there's bitcoin client named the same.  


I just ordered some of Mike's coins last week. I'm looking forward to passing them around.

[matonis]

Love Szabo, he's a very smart guy, and has an interesting blog worth subscribing to, beyond his important role in Bitcoin's history.

And regarding the origins of money, here's a nice juxtaposition of the first state-issued coin in history, as mentioned in the article, next to the coin that will (hopefully) end the era of state-controlled money:

Yes, Lydia is indeed interesting. While it may be the first state-issued coin in history, it began in Lydia as private coinage issued by and used within the merchant communities. The State (or King) then appropriated it for obvious reasons.

[Severian]

Yes, Lydia is indeed interesting. While it may be the first state-issued coin in history, it began in Lydia as private coinage issued by and used within the merchant communities. The State (or King) then appropriated it for obvious reasons.

Have you ever read any Alexander Del Mar? He's probably my favorite money historian but is pretty much forgotten these days.

Del Mar's books on google

[matonis]

Yes, and I cited Del Mar extensively in my article "The Political Appropriation of the Monetary Unit" (p. 46)

This is a great thread, BTW.