When the Roman Emperor Vespasian uttered his famous phrase, “Pecunia non olet” (“Money has no smell”), he meant that it retains its value regardless of its sometimes dubious origins. But long before that, this distinctively Roman cynicism found a surprising reflection elsewhere in the world.
Georgian numismatics is the best example of how money, despite wars, occupations, political humiliations, and religious changes, remained a pure testimony to a nation’s survival. Today, we’ll explore the 26-century-long history of Georgian currency.