---
entity_slug: specie
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:23:51.858257'
overall_score: 3.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes specie as coin money made of precious
    metals, differentiating it from paper currency and other forms of money. The definition
    is precise and non-circular, though it could be slightly more specific about what
    constitutes "precious metals."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: While Smith does discuss coins, bullion, and paper currency throughout
    his work, the specific term "specie" and its formal definition as presented here
    may be more of an analytical inference than an explicit concept Smith develops.
    The entity acknowledges this by noting Smith's "implied" distinction rather than
    direct usage.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The placement in the "Exchange" domain is entirely appropriate, as specie
    fundamentally concerns the medium of exchange and monetary systems. This aligns
    perfectly with Smith's discussions of currency and mercantile policies around
    money accumulation.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Specie is primarily a technical monetary instrument rather than a systemic
    function or organizational capability. While it might relate tangentially to S1
    operations or S4 intelligence gathering about monetary policy, it doesn't naturally
    map to any specific VSM system as it's more of a tool than a systemic process.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory value by clarifying the
    specific type of money that mercantile systems prioritized and helping readers
    understand the material basis of 18th-century monetary thinking. It illuminates
    why mercantilists focused on accumulating physical precious metal currency rather
    than other forms of wealth.
---

# Evaluation: Specie

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes specie as coin money made of precious metals, differentiating it from paper currency and other forms of money. The definition is precise and non-circular, though it could be slightly more specific about what constitutes "precious metals."

## source_grounding — 3.0 / 5.0

While Smith does discuss coins, bullion, and paper currency throughout his work, the specific term "specie" and its formal definition as presented here may be more of an analytical inference than an explicit concept Smith develops. The entity acknowledges this by noting Smith's "implied" distinction rather than direct usage.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The placement in the "Exchange" domain is entirely appropriate, as specie fundamentally concerns the medium of exchange and monetary systems. This aligns perfectly with Smith's discussions of currency and mercantile policies around money accumulation.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

Specie is primarily a technical monetary instrument rather than a systemic function or organizational capability. While it might relate tangentially to S1 operations or S4 intelligence gathering about monetary policy, it doesn't naturally map to any specific VSM system as it's more of a tool than a systemic process.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory value by clarifying the specific type of money that mercantile systems prioritized and helping readers understand the material basis of 18th-century monetary thinking. It illuminates why mercantilists focused on accumulating physical precious metal currency rather than other forms of wealth.
