Monetary Metal For Payment - Used As Monetary Media
Metals and commodities became more valuable as human technological ability to manufacture products increased, and as a result, many metals were produced in sufficient numbers and at a sufficient demand to make them highly salable and suitable for use as monetary medium. It was simpler to move these metals than salt or cattle because of their great density and comparatively high value.
Author:James PierceReviewer:Gordon DickersonMay 30, 202310.4K Shares298K Views
Metals and commodities became more valuable as the human technological ability to manufacture products increased, and as a result, many metals were produced in sufficient numbers and at a sufficient demand to make them highly scalable and suitable for use as a monetary medium. It was simpler to move these metals than salt or cattle because of their great density and comparatively high value. Metals were previously difficult to produce, making it difficult to expand their supply fast and ensure their long-term value.
A few metals were considered more valuable than others due to factors such as their long-term use, certain physical features, and the fact that they were found in greater quantities on the earth. Metals like iron and copper, which are plentiful and easily corroded, might be manufactured in greater numbers. Existing stocks would be overwhelmed by fresh production, erasing whatever monetary worth they may have had.
The market value of these metals was minimal, thus they were mostly utilized in minor transactions. In contrast, precious metals like silver and gold were more resistant to corrosion, making them more valuable over time and helpful as a long-term asset. As a result, humanity was able to acquire a longer-term perspective because of the near indestructibility of gold. We'll discuss more about how monetary metal for paymentcan be used as monetary media.
Most Widely Used Three Metals
It used to be necessary to weigh and appraise metals every time they were purchased and sold, but with the advancement of metallurgy, it became feasible to mint the metals into uniform coins and mark their weight, making them significantly more marketable. 2,500 years ago, the Greek king Croesus, the first known minter of gold coins, used them as the primary form of money, and they remained in widespread usage as coinage until the early twentieth century.
As a result of their durability and resistance to deterioration, gold coins have been the most sought-after commodity throughout history. In addition, they were the most valuable throughout space due to their little weight and ease of transporting. As a result of their lower worth per weight unit compared to gold, silver coins could be used as a handy medium of exchange for modest purchases, while bronze coins might be used for the least valued transactions.
The Monetary System, Technologically, Still Had Two Major Drawbacks
As a means of standardizing value into discrete units, coins opened up new marketplaces and expanded the scope of specialization and commerce throughout the globe. Even though it was the most advanced monetary system available at the time, it had two major flaws: first, the use of only two or three metals as the standard monetary unit led to economic instability due to fluctuations in their values over time as a result of supply and demand.
This led to issues for silver coin owners who saw their coin's value plummet as a result of increased production and decreased demand. Another problem was that governments and counterfeiters could and often did lower these coins' precious metal content, causing their worth to drop by handing over a part of their buying power to the counterfeiters or government. The purity and soundness of the currency were jeopardized because of the decrease in coin metal content.
Development Of Modern Banking And The Improvement In Methods Of Communication
Individuals could, however, deal with paper money and cheques backed by gold in the coffers of their banks and central banks by the nineteenth century, thanks to the advent of modern banking and improvements in communication techniques. By eliminating the requirement for silver's monetary function and concentrating all of the gold standard's monetary salability features in one place, gold-backed transactions were conceivable at any size.
With the gold standard, the world's economies were able to pool their resources and trade on a stable, market-based medium of exchange. As a result, banks and governments could raise the supply of money beyond the amount of gold they had at their disposal, depreciating money and shifting some of its value from genuine holders to banks and governments. It was a catastrophic weakness, though.
Summary
We now treat unredeemable credit as money and only keep gold in our safes as a store of value. As prices rise or the financial system comes to an end, people are stockpiling gold. A growing price has no bearing on efficiency or usefulness. Some businesses encourage customers to acquire gold in the hopes that it will rise in value in the future. Even if they're correct that the price will eventually climb, it doesn't make gold useful. It reduces gold to the status of a gambling chip in the stock market.
James Pierce
Author
James Pierce, a Finance and Crypto expert, brings over 15 years of experience to his writing. With a Master's degree in Finance from Harvard University, James's insightful articles and research papers have earned him recognition in the industry.
His expertise spans financial markets and digital currencies, making him a trusted source for analysis and commentary. James seamlessly integrates his passion for travel into his work, providing readers with a unique perspective on global finance and the digital economy.
Outside of writing, James enjoys photography, hiking, and exploring local cuisines during his travels.
Gordon Dickerson
Reviewer
Gordon Dickerson, a visionary in Crypto, NFT, and Web3, brings over 10 years of expertise in blockchain technology.
With a Bachelor's in Computer Science from MIT and a Master's from Stanford, Gordon's strategic leadership has been instrumental in shaping global blockchain adoption. His commitment to inclusivity fosters a diverse ecosystem.
In his spare time, Gordon enjoys gourmet cooking, cycling, stargazing as an amateur astronomer, and exploring non-fiction literature.
His blend of expertise, credibility, and genuine passion for innovation makes him a trusted authority in decentralized technologies, driving impactful change with a personal touch.
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