Welcome to the History of Money, an online exhibit of objects curated from the collection of the Mount Holyoke College Museum of Art by the students of History 252.

Though we all interact with money in one form or another, the use, meaning, and material history of money has changed over time, place, and culture. People use money in many different ways, not all of them economic in the strict sense that is often considered when thinking about its history. Money is a material and social technology that shapes relationships between things, but also relationships between people, communities, nations, and empires.

On this site, you can explore the history of money through a variety of objects, themes, and stories, each of theme designed, researched, and presented by students.

The Timeline of money presents different objects from the ancient world to the present century. Take a closer look at details of these objects to learn more about how they were used, interpreted, and used to communicate different meanings and messages.

Working in small groups, students also designed Laboratory projects that place different money objects in conversation with each other to explore a common theme. These themes reveal shared features of money’s history, but also comparisons and contrasts that speak to how the meaning of money has changed over time.

To learn more about any of the objects in this exhibit, look for links to additional essays and reflections that delve deeper into the history and research used for this exhibit.