Going places: How the 'Spanish Silver Dollar' became the world’s first global currency
The Piece of Eight, a silver coin from the Spanish Empire, emerged as the world's first truly international currency, dominating global trade across continents. Minted from American silver, its purity and reliability led to widespread acceptance, even replacing local money in places like China. This coin financed rebellions, influenced modern currencies, and left a lasting legacy, including the "$" symbol.
The Piece of Eight, a silver coin from the Spanish Empire, emerged as the world's first truly international currency, dominating global trade across continents. Minted from American silver, its purity and reliability led to widespread acceptance, even replacing local money in places like China. This coin financed rebellions, influenced modern currencies, and left a lasting legacy, including the "$" symbol.
