This presents a country-by-country account of world coinage, from its origins in the 7th century BC to the present. It highlights the economic and cultural links coins have helped to create between nations and identifies the sources and origins of each country's coinage. Within a concise historical account, the meaning of the designs, inscriptions and denominations used on its coins are explained and more than 100 maps help show the development and flow of coinage within every country of the world.