The history of money is its evolution as a means of human interaction in society. This is reflected in the money form which has changed from metallic coins to paper notes to electronic digits. Yet ideology persists in characterizing it as something both abstract and objectively real. Money is still driven by the impersonal engines of states and markets; but the challenge is to invent people's money. This means recognizing that money's meaning is sustained by memory and being open to the potential of the digital revolution in communications to promote democratic engagement with money and markets. Experiments with community currencies offer a flawed example of this potential.