Austin Dean, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, delves into China's unique monetary history from 1873 to 1937. He discusses the complexities of China's transition from silver to the gold standard and the political and economic challenges involved. The conversation touches on the Boxer Indemnity's influence on currency reform and the impact of U.S. foreign policy on China's economic stability. Dean highlights the pivotal moment in 1935 when China shifted from the silver standard, reshaping global economics and revealing the interplay of local governance and international interests.