The meaning of work has changed dramatically throughout history. Our work-oriented society today evolved from the ideal of leisure in ancient times, the "pray and work" ethic in the Middle Ages and the harsh life of factory workers during industrialisation.

"The rouble rolls," the saying goes, and the story of how the rouble came circulate, from the 10th through the 19th century, is richly informative.

Around 44 BC, the year of Caesar’s assassination, Rome was in turmoil. The great military campaigns and internal power struggles are reflected in the coinage we show, dating from 49–40 BC.

For over 5000 years, we have been called upon to pay taxes: From the levies on the harvest in ancient Egypt to the elaborate tax regimes of the Roman Empire and the tithes and custom duties of the Middle Ages up to today’s value added taxes.