---
entity_slug: nominal_measure_of_value
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:02:10.952298'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes nominal measure from real measure
    of value, specifying that it's a conventional standard (typically money) that's
    less accurate than labour. The contrast with "real measure" provides good conceptual
    boundaries, though it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "conventional."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Book I, Chapter 5 where Smith explicitly
    discusses the distinction between real and nominal measures of value, emphasizing
    money's role as a convenient but fluctuating standard compared to labour. The
    entity accurately reflects Smith's actual argument about monetary measurement.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate since nominal measures
    of value are fundamentally about how prices are expressed and compared in market
    transactions. This concept sits at the heart of exchange mechanisms and price
    theory.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S2 (coordination)
    as it provides the standardized measurement system that enables coordination across
    different market transactions. However, it's somewhat abstract and doesn't clearly
    embody the cybernetic control functions that make VSM mapping most valuable.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating the structural
    difference between convenient measurement tools and accurate value representation,
    which is crucial for understanding price mechanisms and monetary theory. It reveals
    an important tension in how economic systems represent value.
---

# Evaluation: Nominal Measure Of Value

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes nominal measure from real measure of value, specifying that it's a conventional standard (typically money) that's less accurate than labour. The contrast with "real measure" provides good conceptual boundaries, though it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "conventional."

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Book I, Chapter 5 where Smith explicitly discusses the distinction between real and nominal measures of value, emphasizing money's role as a convenient but fluctuating standard compared to labour. The entity accurately reflects Smith's actual argument about monetary measurement.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate since nominal measures of value are fundamentally about how prices are expressed and compared in market transactions. This concept sits at the heart of exchange mechanisms and price theory.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S2 (coordination) as it provides the standardized measurement system that enables coordination across different market transactions. However, it's somewhat abstract and doesn't clearly embody the cybernetic control functions that make VSM mapping most valuable.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating the structural difference between convenient measurement tools and accurate value representation, which is crucial for understanding price mechanisms and monetary theory. It reveals an important tension in how economic systems represent value.
