The Messages of Money

“Money talks.”

— Unknown 

The ability of money to carry and communicate messages makes it a valuable source for learning about past and present cultures and history. The denomination, or monetary value, on money is often the most prominent message, but it is rarely the only message. Through images and text, governments use money to make political and cultural statements about a nation’s identity, leadership, heritage, and values. Money created for special circumstances, such as tokens and emergency currencies, conveys messages about its time and place simply through its creation and use.