A chart tracking the rise and fall of global reserve currencies and the relative standing of great empires from 1500 to the present.

A two-part data visualization showing the chronological succession of global reserve currencies (Spain, Netherlands, France, UK, USA) and a line graph of the relative power levels of world empires including China, Germany, and Japan.

Global Reserve Currencies 1530-1641 SPAIN 1642-1720 NL 1720-1815 FRANCE 1815-1920 UK 1920- USA 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 Estimated Relative Standing of Great Empires CHN GER JPN Level Relative to Other Empires (1=peak) 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0