A Model of Commodity Money, with Applications to Gresham's Law and the Debasement Puzzle

B-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Dynamics
Year: 1999
Volume: 2
Issue: 1
Pages: 291-323

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

What are the conditions under which Gresham's Law holds? And what are the mechanics of a debasement? To analyze these questions, we develop a model of commodity money with light and heavy coins, imperfect information, and prices determined via bilateral bargaining. There are equilibria with neither, both, or only one type of coin in circulation. When both circulate, coins may trade by weight or by tale. We discuss the extent to which Gresham's Law holds in the various cases. Following a debasement, depending on the incentives offered, equilibria exist with positive seigniorage and a mixture of old and new coins in circulation. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:red:issued:v:2:y:1999:i:1:p:291-323
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29