Delve into the untold origins of money—beyond myths, shaped by politics and power. This episode uncovers the real story from ancient tally systems to modern currency. Discover how early societies leveraged clay tablets, grain receipts, and coins to manage resources, taxation, and labor. See how centralized authorities used currency to track obligations, and how merchants and religious institutions became pioneers in financial recordkeeping. Explore major transitions: Mesopotamian credit systems and the advent of accounting Lydian coinage and state-backed currency Roman monetary policy and imperial inflation Medieval economic strategies and trust development Modern fiat currency built on confidence and regulation Learn how cultural norms, technology, and political forces have shaped every monetary system, and dive into contemporary discussions on digital currencies and decentralized finance. #OriginsofMoney #History #Economics #Finance #Anthropology #Trade #Currency #Fiat #Crypto #MonetaryHistory #Civilization #PowerStructures #EconomicSystems See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-but-fast/episodes/6938e2ddad7db97196019593 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices