The Silver Empire: How Germany Created Its First Common Currency

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 thei...