Abstract
Coins have a language of their own, and governments speak it fluently. This paper discusses the role that coins play in State iconography. As such, coinage can be utilized for pursuing nationalistic ambitions and other centripetal forces that strengthen a State. Likewise, coins can also act as preservers and conveyers of national culture. Religion, language, values, and history have all been prominent subjects on coins from around the world since the Classical Era. Aside from imagery, coins are also products of spatial association, owing their current preponderance to many forms of cultural diffusion. This paper first describes contemporary, circulating world coinage in terms of nationalism and other compelling forces driven by globalization and geopolitics in the 21st century. Later discussion details various coin types used to communicate a message to the user; these namely include animals, religion, portraits, symbols of State, cultural landscapes, and commemoratives.
Recommended Citation
Frewing, Cory
(2020)
"The Geography of Coins: Culture, Politics, and Power Depicted on Money,"
The Geographical Bulletin: Vol. 61:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/thegeographicalbulletin/vol61/iss2/2