<!-- generated: provider=openrouter model=arcee-ai/trinity-large-preview:free date=2026-02-19 source=book-2-chapter-04 -->

# Market Price of Things

## Definition

The actual price at which goods and services exchange in the market, determined by supply and demand rather than by any intrinsic value. This price fluctuates based on the quantity of goods available relative to the money supply.

## Source Chapter

Book II, Chapter 4

## Context

Smith references this concept while discussing how the quantity of money affects nominal prices but not real economic value, arguing that changes in the money supply affect prices but not the underlying productive capacity of the economy.

## Economic Domain

Exchange

---
