Historical exchange rates (coin and bill systems) of European cities and regions during the late Medieval Period and early modern times, 1350-1800

The dichotomy existing in early modern currency systems between the arithmetic money, which in its function was a unit of measurement and count, and the circulating coinage as a means of value preservation and payment is an essential characteristic of these currency systems. Therefore, only the correct representation of the various calculation money systems makes it possible to understand the relationship between prices and money for the period under consideration.

The calculation was carried out with the help of arithmetic money, and values were fixed and goods valued. The fine-weight equivalents of the calculation money are the basic data for the conversion of the nominal price data from the period into grams of precious metal, but they also serve as a measure of the value of the calculation money itself. The data were collected by the author in the context of his dissertation.

The data provided here in this study are taken from the MEMDB database and organized according to cities and European regions in the same way as in the database. Some of the data transmitted by R. Metz directly to MEMDB have not been published elsewhere. In such cases, a complete citation of the primary source or other currency conversion information is provided.

In addition, the data of the study ZA8055 are recommended (also downloadable from histat under the topic ´Money´).