But as a temporary token of value, it has its benefits.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The moral claim real money places on society on behalf of its bearer comes not from the intrinsic value of the token but from the fact that the bearer had previously produced some good or service deemed valuable by others.

FORBES: Will Western Civilization Rediscover The Moral Foundations Of Sound Money?

By the late 19th century, most other leading countries had token currencies, mostly pegged to the value of gold.

ECONOMIST: The lessons of sound money from 1,000 years' experience