Abstract: This chapter examines monetization in early imperial Italy. Evidence from Vesuvian cities is compared with evidence from other sites. It is shown that in Graeco-Roman antiquity, coins were by far the common means of payment, but in the cities where there were bankers, bank accounts had a role to play. Coinage was not the only way to keep valuables. The evidence from the Vesuvian cities shows that we must recognize the importance of jewellery and precious metals, of gold and silver jewels, and of silver plate.

Keywords: coinage, gold, silver, imperial Italy, money, monetization, jewellery,