The Origins of Money – A Treatise on the Emergence of Money, Price and Value
This book contains one of Carl Menger's most important essays on the subject of money, price and value. On the Origins of Money is an examination of the history of money and currency, from its most rudimentary forms such as cowrie shells, animal hides and salt in early societies, through to coins and the reasons why gold prevailed. Rather than focusing on the nature or form of money, Menger investigates the reasons for monetary exchange and why money is so valuable (or where it derives its value from). His argument centres on the "saleableness" of the goods or commodities being traded – in other words: the more "saleable" (or valuable, or in demand) an item is, the more money it is worth. This short work offers an illuminating insight into the history and value of money.
With the Grundlagen der Ökonomie series, Aprycot Media aims to foster an understanding of the foundation upon which Bitcoin was developed. The Austrian School of Economics provides us with a logical framework for better understanding economics, monetary systems and human action.