This book represents an attempt to depict the late Roman and Byzantine monetary economy in its fullest possible social, economic and administrative context, with the aim of establishing the basic dynamics behind the production of the coinage, the major mechanisms affecting its distribution, and the general characteristics of its behaviour once in circulation. The book consists of four main sections, on economy and society, on finance, and on the circulation and production of coinage, and has made an unrivalled contribution in the field of late classical, Byzantine and medieval economic history. The text is fully supported by the extensive quotation of translated sources, and by maps, tables and plates.

This volume is in two parts. Part I covers the reigns of Alexius I to Alexius V (1081-1204), and Part II covers the emperors of Nicea and their contemporaries (1204-1261).