---
entity_slug: coined_money
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:44:03.352890'
overall_score: 4.8
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is highly precise and non-circular, clearly distinguishing
    coined money from unstamped metal by its official stamps indicating weight and
    fineness, and specifying the functional advantage of exchange by count rather
    than weight. It captures a distinct technological innovation in monetary systems.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter
    4, where he explicitly discusses the invention of coins with official stamps and
    how they solve the practical problems of weighing and assaying metal bars. The
    definition accurately reflects Smith's analysis of this monetary innovation.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The placement in the "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate, as coined
    money is fundamentally about facilitating exchange transactions by standardizing
    the medium of exchange. This represents a core mechanism within Smith's analysis
    of how exchange systems develop and function.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S2 (coordination/anti-oscillation) as it represents
    a standardization mechanism that reduces transaction friction and coordination
    problems in exchange systems. It also has some S1 relevance as a basic operational
    tool for primary economic activities.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: "This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating a\
    \ crucial structural mechanism in the evolution of exchange systems\u2014how official\
    \ standardization solves information asymmetries and transaction costs. It explains\
    \ a key step in the development from barter to monetary economies."
---

# Evaluation: Coined Money

## definition_precision — 5.0 / 5.0

The definition is highly precise and non-circular, clearly distinguishing coined money from unstamped metal by its official stamps indicating weight and fineness, and specifying the functional advantage of exchange by count rather than weight. It captures a distinct technological innovation in monetary systems.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 4, where he explicitly discusses the invention of coins with official stamps and how they solve the practical problems of weighing and assaying metal bars. The definition accurately reflects Smith's analysis of this monetary innovation.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The placement in the "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate, as coined money is fundamentally about facilitating exchange transactions by standardizing the medium of exchange. This represents a core mechanism within Smith's analysis of how exchange systems develop and function.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S2 (coordination/anti-oscillation) as it represents a standardization mechanism that reduces transaction friction and coordination problems in exchange systems. It also has some S1 relevance as a basic operational tool for primary economic activities.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating a crucial structural mechanism in the evolution of exchange systems—how official standardization solves information asymmetries and transaction costs. It explains a key step in the development from barter to monetary economies.
