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The value of that $1 silver coin is either the market value of the silver, or the sentimental value to collectors. It not functionally money anymore.

The notion of "hard money" is a joke.

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> The notion of "hard money" is a joke.

Why? I don't even think modern Keynesians would argue against commodities this confidently, maybe MMT's would?

I guess we should distinguish money from commodities, though? For money to mean something different to commodities, it must enjoy a privileged legal and social role, by virtue of its ability to satisfy tax obligations to the state and debt obligations to other private citizens. I guess the "joke" is that we used to think the value of money derived primarily from its commodity backing. Which was maybe true in some particular historical periods but not true whenever state power was durable, as it is today.

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