Paper money as a good omen: symbols of value in African banknotes

摘要

"Heads or tails?" Many of us will have tossed a coin without really considering the meaning attached to its two sides. Every coin, like every banknote, bears a number on one side, indicating its market value, for which a shop will give us credit. And credit it is, since the real value of our metal disc, not to mention our piece of paper, is far lower than that impressed on its face. The one-euro coin is meant to have the value of a euro, and the game works if everyone joins in. The coin purports to be worth that amount because on its other side, the "heads", is another important sign: that of its guarantor - the bank, state or confederation of states that guarantees the nominal value of the currency and ensures its circulation.