The History and Impact of Currency Value

Written by: Daniel Gleich

Currency has been a medium of exchange for goods and services for thousands of years. Some of the earliest known forms of currency date back to the ancient civilizations of China, Greece, and Rome. Throughout history, the value of money has significantly impacted the economies and societies of nations, serving as a measure of wealth and a tool for facilitating trade. A variety of factors often determines its value. These factors include economic stability, government policy, and supply and demand. The fluctuation of currency value has the power to shape global markets and determine the standard of living for people worldwide. It has also been a subject of much debate and study, with systems changing with time.

Fixed versus Floating Exchange Rates

In the early days of currency, fixed exchange rates were the norm. A fixed-rate means the value of one currency is fixed to another currency and that governments, via central banks, set and maintain the exchange rate. They are prone to instability, however, as fluctuations in economic conditions can cause imbalances between currencies.

With floating exchange rates, events or changes in the market can determine and change the value of money. Economic growth, changes in interest rates, and even political events can impact the value of a country's capital. A benefit of a floating exchange rate is that it allows a government to respond and adjust to economic changes.

This exchange rate type can be unpredictable and complicate financial transactions between countries.

• Floating and Fixed Exchange Rates -Macroeconomics (Video)

• Fixed and Floating Exchange Rates: What's the Difference

• Exploring Foreign Exchange Rates: Floating vs Fixed Exchange Rates (Video)

The Rise and Fall of the Classical Gold Standard

In the late 19th century, the gold standard was a means of maintaining stability in currency values. With the gold standard, a fixed amount of gold sets the value of a country's money, which could be converted or traded for other currencies. The gold standard worked well, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It ended in the 1930s because of the First World War and the Great Depression. During this time, countries tried to stimulate their economies by increasing their money supply.

• The Rise and Fall of the Gold Standard

• The Classic Gold Standard

• Gold Standard: Definition, How it Works, and Example

• What is the Gold Standard?

The Gold Exchange Standard

In the aftermath of the Great Depression, a new system involving gold emerged. This system was the gold exchange standard. Under the gold exchange standard, gold was the ultimate means of payment and settlements between central banks. Central banks held gold as a reserve, and other countries based their country's currency on the gold standard, treating it as a substitute for gold.

The gold exchange standard was widely used between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in developed countries. Its use ended in the early 1970s for several reasons. This included its inflexibility, the rising cost of gold, and pressure on the U.S. dollar because of the Vietnam War, which caused a loss of confidence. As a result, it was no longer seen as a practical means of maintaining the stability of the international monetary system.

• The Monetary Breakdown of the West Phase III: The Gold Exchange Standard (Britain and the U.S.)

• Gold Exchange Standard (Video)

• Gold Exchange Standard Monetary System

International Monetary Fund

In 1944, during the Bretton Woods Conference in New Hampshire, the United Nations member countries established the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The goal of the IMF was to rebuild the global financial system after World War II. It's also meant to promote international monetary cooperation and exchange rate stability, facilitate the balanced growth of international trade, and make resources available to member countries in need. The IMF also helps maintain exchange rate stability by monitoring the exchange rate policies of member countries. Central banks and governments also use IMF data to analyze exchange rates and international capital flows. They use this data to make informed decisions on exchange rate policies.

• What is IMF?

• The IMF: The World's ControversialFinancial Firefighter 

• Bretton Woods Conference and the Birth of the IMF and World Bank

Managed Floating Exchange Rate (present-day system)

The managed floating exchange rate system is a flexible and adaptable system that's used at present. It is a type of currency system where the value of a country's currency can change in response to market forces, such as supply and demand. Governments or central banks, such as the Federal Reserve, manage and influence this type of currency system by adjusting their currency's value. These adjustments keep it from getting too strong or too weak to maintain stability. Managed floating exchange rate systems allow for greater control over the economy and trade while still allowing the market to play a role in determining the value of its currency.

• Exchange Rate Systems

• Glossary: Managed Floating Exchange Rate

• Explaining Managed Floating Exchange Rates (Video)

Factors that Impact Currency Value

Inflation, supply and demand, oil, and investors are all factors that can influence the value of a country's currency. Inflation, or the rate of increase in the general price level, can impact currency value. When it is high, it reduces the purchasing power of a currency. Supply and demand also affect currency value, as high demand for money increases its value and low demand decreases it.

The price of oil affects currency value, particularly for countries that are major oil exporters and importers. For example, a country that exports oil may see an appreciation in its currency when oil prices are on the rise. That's because the increased revenue from the oil exports leads to increased demand for the country's currency, causing its value to increase. Countries that rely on oil imports may see a depreciation in currency when the price of oil rises. Because the government has to pay more for imported oil, the outflow of cash causes a decrease in its value. Some countries, such as Canada and Russia, may see an appreciation of currency value when oil prices rise as their currencies and the cost of oil are closely linked.

Finally, investors also play a role in currency value, as the demand for a currency can affect its value. When investors believe that a particular currency will appreciate, they will often buy large amounts of that currency, which can drive up demand and increase its value. Conversely, if investors believe that a currency will depreciate, they may sell off their holdings, causing their value to decrease.

Another way that investors can influence currency value is through speculation. If investors believe that a particular currency is undervalued, they may buy large amounts, hoping to sell it later at a higher price. This can, as a result, lead to large inflows of capital into a currency, which can drive up its value.

• Money and Inflation

• Understanding Currencies and Exchange Rates

• Demand and Supply in Financial Markets

• Money Demand

• Understanding How Crude Oil and Currency Prices are Connected

The value of money has been subject to change throughout history. From the rise and fall of gold standards to fixed to managed floating exchange rates, the value of currency has been and continues to be, shaped by economic and political forces. Understanding the factors that impact the value of money is essential for individuals, businesses, and governments alike, as it allows for more informed decisions and more stable economies.