The use of physical gold coins in Roman times is not entirely comparable to today's fiat currencies, as the value of gold coins was based on the intrinsic value of the metal itself, whereas fiat currencies rely on the trust in the issuing authority and its ability to manage the currency effectively.

The trust in a currency also depends on the stability and predictability of its value over time, which is affected by factors such as inflation, interest rates, and the supply and demand of the currency.