Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
Did normal middle class people have gold coins in Ancient times?
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="Gam3rBlake, post: 7318343, member: 115909"]Hmm that makes sense.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now I may be wrong, but here is my own reasoning.</p><p><br /></p><p>Are you talking about "money changers"? Because I think the ones you're talking about are the ones who converted foreign currency. Like converting Greek drachmae into Roman denarii. Not converting coins of same currency like a Roman aureus into Roman denarii.</p><p><br /></p><p>I figured maybe if people had to travel for a long period of time (or permanently) it would be easier to carry a few gold coins than a bag of silver ya know?</p><p><br /></p><p>Like lets say a Roman soldier was on campaign in Gaul and got paid 1 Denarius per day.</p><p><br /></p><p>Well wouldn't it make sense for the soldier to keep some Denarii for spending but keep any savings in Aureii so he doesn't have to carry a bag of silver around with him on campaign?</p><p><br /></p><p>Then when the campaign was over he could bring his gold coins back home and either spend them on goods (like garum/liquamen!) or convert them back into Denarii since he wouldn't be travelling with them anymore.</p><p><br /></p><p>It just seems like there might be unique, if not common, situations where a citizen would prefer the more portable form of wealth in gold.</p><p><br /></p><p>I should also mention that exile was a common punishment so if a Roman citizen was stripped of citizenship and exiled it seems like they'd want to carry their wealth out of Rome. Again I'm talking about the "middle class" who might have things worth selling. They couldn't carry all that with them so maybe selling it for denarii and converting some of those denarii into aureii would allow them to travel quicker and lighter.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Gam3rBlake, post: 7318343, member: 115909"]Hmm that makes sense. Now I may be wrong, but here is my own reasoning. Are you talking about "money changers"? Because I think the ones you're talking about are the ones who converted foreign currency. Like converting Greek drachmae into Roman denarii. Not converting coins of same currency like a Roman aureus into Roman denarii. I figured maybe if people had to travel for a long period of time (or permanently) it would be easier to carry a few gold coins than a bag of silver ya know? Like lets say a Roman soldier was on campaign in Gaul and got paid 1 Denarius per day. Well wouldn't it make sense for the soldier to keep some Denarii for spending but keep any savings in Aureii so he doesn't have to carry a bag of silver around with him on campaign? Then when the campaign was over he could bring his gold coins back home and either spend them on goods (like garum/liquamen!) or convert them back into Denarii since he wouldn't be travelling with them anymore. It just seems like there might be unique, if not common, situations where a citizen would prefer the more portable form of wealth in gold. I should also mention that exile was a common punishment so if a Roman citizen was stripped of citizenship and exiled it seems like they'd want to carry their wealth out of Rome. Again I'm talking about the "middle class" who might have things worth selling. They couldn't carry all that with them so maybe selling it for denarii and converting some of those denarii into aureii would allow them to travel quicker and lighter.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
Did normal middle class people have gold coins in Ancient times?
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...