Since antiquity, human beings have wondered about money and about how it
works. Money is everywhere and it is likely to be among the most recurrent
and continuous elements (and instruments) in human civilization, together
with law: it has been present through centuries. Still, it remains (if possible)
even more mysterious than law. There are theories that explain how its value
is determined, but if we look at a simple object like a coin or a banknote
as such, we will all agree that it is nothing in and of itself. Undoubtedly,
coins are not made of precious metals and banknotes are pieces of paper
with encrypted print. Yet, even in a globalized and digital economy, it would
be hard to name a thing more central than money. Money lies at the core of
human bonds, and it symbolizes exchange. Always, and everywhere.