The US dollar's roots trace back to 16th-century Bohemia, not American soil, according to a new Financial Times podcast episode. Brendan Greeley, author of The Almighty Dollar, explores how the Joachimstaler emerged from silver mines in Joachimsthal, becoming the template for dollar currencies worldwide.

The podcast, hosted by Gillian Tett and Robin Wigglesworth, examines the forgotten Bohemian count who inadvertently created the world's first standardized silver coin worth a dollar. This historical deep-dive reveals how European monetary innovations shaped modern finance.

Greeley traces the dollar's evolution from its immigrant origins to its current dominance, questioning whether the currency's longevity will outlast the American empire itself. The discussion touches on how the Canadian dollar and other global currencies inherited this original design.

Understanding these origins matters for investors tracking currency stability and central bank policies. The dollar's 500-year staying power suggests resilience, but its European birthplace reminds us that monetary supremacy shifts with economic power.