Coinage appeared at a moment when it fulfilled an essential need in Greek society and brought with it rationalization and social leveling in some respects, while simultaneously producing new illusions, paradoxes, and new elites. In a book that will encourage scholarly discussion for some time, David M. Schaps addresses a range of important coinage topics, among them money, exchange, and economic organization in the Near East and in Greece before the introduction of coinage; the invention of coinage and the reasons for its adoption; and the developing use of money to make more money.

This book offers insight into Greek conceptions of art, the artist, and artistic originality by examining artists' signatures in ancient Greece.

A broadly-illustrated overview of the contemporary state of Greco-Roman numismatic scholarship.

Ian Carradice here outlines the history of Greek coins from the seventh to the first century BC, showing how they can throw light on an ancient world of wide geographical boundaries and great cultural diversity. He also consider the lasting impact of Greek coins on later civilizations. The illustrations present the full range of the die-carvers' achievement, revealing many Greek coins to be miniature masterpieces of sculpture.