The Silver Empire is the first comprehensive account of how the Holy Roman Empire created a common currency in the sixteenth century. The problems that gave rise to the widespread desire to introduce a common a currency were myriad. While trade was able to cope with-and even to benefit from-the parallel circulation of many different types of coin, it nevertheless harmed both the common people and the political authorities. The authorities in particular suffered from neighbours who used their comparatively good money as raw material to mint poor imitations. Debasing their own coinage provided an, at best, short-term solution. Over the medium and long term, it drove the members of the Empire into rounds of competitive debasements, until they realised that a common currency was the only answer that addressed the core of the problem. Oliver Volckart examines the conditions that shaped the monetary outlook of the member states of the Empire, paying particular attention to the uneven access to silver and gold. Following closely the negotiations that prepared the common currency, he is able to illuminate the interest groups that were formed, what their agendas and ulterior motives were, how alliances were forged, and how it was eventually possible to obtain majority agreement on what a common currency should look like: a silver-based currency that was introduced in 1559-66. In fact, in contrast to what historians once believed, the common currency they achieved turns out to have functioned not significantly worse than other currencies of the time: it had similar problems and similar advantages as the money issued by more centralized governments.

A thousand-year history of how China’s obsession with silver influenced the country’s financial well-being, global standing, and political stability This revelatory account of the ways silver shaped Chinese history shows how an obsession with “white metal” held China back from financial modernization. First used as currency during the Song dynasty in around 900 CE, silver gradually became central to China’s economic framework and was officially monetized in the middle of the Ming dynasty during the sixteenth century. However, due to the early adoption of paper money in China, silver was not formed into coins but became a cumbersome “weighing currency,” for which ingots had to be constantly examined for weight and purity—an unwieldy practice that lasted for centuries. While China’s interest in silver spurred new avenues of trade and helped increase the country’s global economic footprint, Jin Xu argues that, in the long run, silver played a key role in the struggles and entanglements that led to the decline of the Chinese empire.

This is a definitive study of the phenomenon known as Silver Mania. The conclusions can all be stated in a few pages but the underlying facts are carefully presented to provide a basic under standing and to substantiate the conclusions. Most of those afflicted with silver mania are undaunted by facts; they don't want to be persuaded of the reality of things. Speculators do not learn from history, so this study is not for them. It is for the masses who have been innocent victims of silver mania, and who are able in a democratic society to correct injustices. Silver and gold and copper have a chemical as well as historical relationship. Both silver and gold were scarce until the discovery of silver in the Americas in the 1500's, and the scarcity ratio from pre-1500 is cited by silver bulls as a 'natural price relationship'. During the period that silver was becoming overly abundant it also came into wide usage as a monetary standard and this led to inflation. This was solved by demonetizing silver and the world was thus oversupplied with an attractive metal that was useful only for jewelry and tableware. Silver mines in the United States were the major source of newly-mined silver in the world and the mine operators were able to lobby successfully for legislation to support the price of their product until industrial use started increasing during the 1950's.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Money is a man-made deity that affects not only the fate of individuals, but also the future of sovereign states. Money is a primitive drive and collective subconscious, and it has carried over into modern society. #2 The case of Yap Island demonstrates the essence of money is credit. The islanders used large stone discs called fei as a form of currency. If a transaction involved a fei too large to be conveniently moved, it was left in place, without so much as a mark to indicate the exchange. #3 The essence of money is credit. We must revise classical theories about the origins of money, which believe that money was created for the purpose of exchange. In fact, gold rarely circulated in the marketplace. #4 The traditional view among economists is that money originated for the exchange of goods. However, a great deal of anthropological evidence reveals money as a kind of gift.

An important book on the monetary history of the Ottoman empire by a leading economic historian.

The Dragon in Winter brings New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry's epic Kagen the Damned Trilogy to a wild conclusion! War is coming! War is here! The Witch-king of Hakkia, aided by terrifying dark forces, sits uneasy on his stolen throne. His enemies, led by Kagen the Damned and the Bloody Bastards have found the secrets of ancient magic they hope will defeat him. Strange forces gather on both sides – vast armies of both the living and the dead, devious trickster spirits, strange gods, warrior ghosts, undying vampires, blood plagues that drive people to murderous rage, immortal faeries, and Earth’s last dragon. Kagen knows that he faces the impossible task of toppling a usurper whose dark magic conquered an empire in a single night. But the Damned fear nothing and there are no limits to what Kagen will do to destroy the Witch-king. With his allies he will tear apart the veils that separate our world from the infinite realms of supernatural magic. The Witch-king will not go down with a fight, and he is willing to drown the western lands in innocent blood to retain his stolen crown. Even if he rules over an empire of dust and blood. His power is growing and soon he will be unstoppable. But they are not the only forces at work in the world. Magic of all kinds is awakening and who can tell which side they will pick...or if they will pose a new and terrible threat to all! In the frozen North, the last dragon –tortured, captive, dying— cries out in despair. In the inky vastness of the outer dark that cry is heard! And something of incalculable power is coming in answer.

A reference for history enthusiasts, scholars and collectors alike, this book offers a comprehensive guide to Gupta Dynasty numismatics. The 2nd edition sees all known Gupta coin issues documented, with updated classifications and notes on their rarity. A revised chronology is presented, using data from coins, inscriptions, seals and copper plates.