Characterized as one of the largest, most powerful empires in history, the Roman Empire was responsible for the production of a plethora of coins. So, why did the Roman Empire produce more coins?
The primary reason why the Roman Empire produced more coins was to maintain a low rate of inflation and to increase individual buying power. In order to do this, the Roman government manipulated the purity of the coins. By decreasing the purity of the coins, they were able to produce more ‘silver’ coins with the same amount of metal. This helped ensure that there would be enough coins in circulation to facilitate increasing taxes as the Roman Empire expanded.
Another reason why the Roman Empire produced more coins was to pay its soldiers and officials. As the empire grew in size, it was necessary to provide incentives in the form of higher wages. This need for more coins drove the Roman government to produce more coins.
The Roman Empire was also able to use its coin production to its advantage. With more coins in circulation, the government was able to control the prices of commodities and goods. This enabled them to raise taxes without having to resort to debt.
The production of coins also helped the Roman Empire assert its dominance over other empires. The coins were often used as a form of propaganda, which allowed the Roman Empire to spread its influence. Through coin production, the Roman Empire was able to assert its control over other regions more effectively.
The Roman Empire produced more coins to ensure a low rate of inflation, to increase individual buying power, to pay its soldiers and officials, and to promote its influence over other regions. By controlling the production of coins and manipulating their purity, the Roman Empire was able to gain a steady influx of coins and gain a great deal of power over other regions.