Oliver Volckart's new book, The Silver Empire, (OUP) is the first comprehensive account of how the Holy Roman Empire created a common currency in the sixteenth century.
In an era where multiple currencies were the norm, while trade could benefit from the parallel circulation of many different types of coin, this was ultimately harmful for both common people and the political authorities. After rounds of competitive debasements failed to solve the problem, a common currency emerged as the only long-term answer.
The book examines the alliances, politics and material conditions which finally led to the introduction of a silver-based currency in 1559-66. Volckart is able to show that, in contrast to what historians once believed, this new common currency did not function particularly worse than other contemporary currencies, and it had comparable problems and advantages as the money issued by more centralized governments.
The book is published on 28 March 2024: The Silver Empire
To tie-in with the release of this new book, Oliver will be talking about the agendas and motives of the interested groups involved, and how it was possible to obtain majority agreement in a special event on 9th May at 6pm. Full information can be found on the event page here.