Metals and Monies in an Emerging Global Economy (Expanding World: the European Impact on World History 1450-1802)

Rather than approaching this subject from a traditionally European perceptive, this collection of essays seeks to give a broader view to monetary events, focusing as much on Africa and the Orient as the Old World. An emphasis is given throughout to the demand and supply forces affecting the markets for gold, silver, copper and cowries during specific periods. Three broad sections examine in turn the exporters, the importers and the avenues of trade for metals. A changing emphasis in the value of silver in China, the mining of new wealth in the Americas, the opening up of maritime trade to the East, the conversion of Mughal currency to silver and the activities of European East India Companies are all aspects, among others, which feature.