Material wealth, before 1800, was usually a metal. It had legible value anywhere so you could use it to defend or attack the means of production: land. [....] Y

Material wealth, before 1800, was usually a metal. It had legible value anywhere so you could use it to defend or attack the means of production: land. [....] You were rich if you had gold and could defend the land you had and get more if needed. ...because weapons made out of gold work so very well?