Economic history and history of economics: in praise of an old relationship

This paper argues against the distance which has been growing between economic history and history of economic thought (HET). Two examples, drawn from the history of monetary theory, are provided of how neglecting the historical background may lead to erroneous interpretations and prevent a correct assessment of the position that a work occupies in the HET. The first relates to the interpretation of Ricardo’s theory of money. The second discusses the so-called inconsistencies between metallist and cartalist positions that can be detected in many pre-Smithian writers on money.