In this insightful discussion, Rory Naismith, a professor specializing in early medieval history, delves into the significance of coined money during the tumultuous period after the Roman Empire. He reveals how scarce coins functioned as social and economic tools, connecting individuals to broader structures. Challenging the notion of a complete collapse, Naismith emphasizes the complex interplay between economy, state, and society. He also discusses the moral implications of coinage, the role of landholding elites, and contrasts Western Europe's monetary evolution with that of Byzantium and the Islamic world.
