Ancient Britain

There was, of course, no such place as Ancient Britain. True, the island of Britain was much as we see it today, but the political and social map was utterly different.
First to use money in the form of coins were the Celtic tribes, with their autonomous kingdoms, tribal cultures and priorities.
Then came the Romans who, damnatio memoriae, were the first to attempt a common European currency, and at the same time developed a central administration for their new province of Britannia.
And finally came the post-Romans; those who inhabited the time we call the Dark Ages, because no-one has so far shed much light on it.
But whatever we call it, the first six or seven hundred years of our monetary history are fascinating.

Peter Thompson has prepared an extensive insight into the changing fortunes of Roman Coinage, as used in the province of Britain, showing that inflation, debasement and all the other good things we experience have all been seen before. The article has been revised and updated, 24th November 2007

Alan Dawson takes up the story as the Romans were packing their bags, and looks at what may have developed in a post-Roman economy.