---
entity_slug: unstamped_bars
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:35:51.040693'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is precise and captures a distinct concept - metal bars
    lacking official certification that require individual verification. It clearly
    distinguishes this from coined money and identifies the specific problems (weighing
    and assaying) that made such bars inconvenient for commerce.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter
    4, where he explicitly discusses the inconveniences of using unstamped metal bars
    before coinage was invented. The definition accurately reflects Smith's description
    of the weighing and assaying problems.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate, as unstamped bars represent
    a primitive form of exchange medium that preceded coined money. This fits squarely
    within Smith's discussion of the evolution of exchange mechanisms.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is largely VSM-neutral as it describes a historical exchange
    medium rather than an organizational system or function. While it might tangentially
    relate to S1 (operational transactions), it doesn't naturally map to VSM systems
    since it's about the medium of exchange rather than systemic organization.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory value by illustrating why
    coinage was invented and how it solved specific transactional problems. It helps
    explain the evolutionary progression from barter to coined money by highlighting
    the structural inefficiencies that drove monetary innovation.
---

# Evaluation: Unstamped Bars

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is precise and captures a distinct concept - metal bars lacking official certification that require individual verification. It clearly distinguishes this from coined money and identifies the specific problems (weighing and assaying) that made such bars inconvenient for commerce.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 4, where he explicitly discusses the inconveniences of using unstamped metal bars before coinage was invented. The definition accurately reflects Smith's description of the weighing and assaying problems.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate, as unstamped bars represent a primitive form of exchange medium that preceded coined money. This fits squarely within Smith's discussion of the evolution of exchange mechanisms.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity is largely VSM-neutral as it describes a historical exchange medium rather than an organizational system or function. While it might tangentially relate to S1 (operational transactions), it doesn't naturally map to VSM systems since it's about the medium of exchange rather than systemic organization.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory value by illustrating why coinage was invented and how it solved specific transactional problems. It helps explain the evolutionary progression from barter to coined money by highlighting the structural inefficiencies that drove monetary innovation.
