In 1871-73, newly unified Germany adopted the gold standard, replacing the silver-based currencies that had been prevalent in most German states until then. The reform sparked a series of steps in other countries that ultimately ended global bimetallism, id est, a near-universal fixed exchange...

Title Page -- Contents -- Tables and Figures -- Introduction -- 1. Money from the Spirit World -- 2. Perfecting the State -- 3. The Money Tree -- 4. Silver Thaler and Ur-Cameralists -- 5. "All That Glitters Is Not Gold, But . . ." -- 6. A Conspicuous Lack of Consumption -- 7. "Alles Geld gehet...