In our introductory lecture, Dr. Brook traces money’s evolution from primitive forms like seashells and salt to metals and coins, highlighting its role in overcoming the inefficiencies of barter. The lecture explores how societies developed currencies, how governments came to control money creation, and how money’s three core functions enabled specialization, long-distance trade, and new ways of thinking about time and the future.

In lecture two, we study the historical evolution of money, focusing on its essential characteristics and role in facilitating trade and economic development. We examine how gold and silver emerged as dominant forms of money due to their unique properties, including scarcity, durability, and universal acceptability. The lecture traces monetary systems through major civilizations, particularly ancient Rome and medieval Europe, highlighting how banking innovations and financial networks developed to overcome the practical limitations of physical currency.

In lecture three, we focus on the evolution of banking in Europe, examining how Italian banking houses expanded across the continent and developed innovative financial practices to circumvent religious restrictions on usury. Dr. Brook analyzes how the gold standard provided price stability and fiscal discipline while enabling unprecedented economic growth and international trade during the 19th century, before governments began establishing central banks to gain control over the monetary system.