a century old saying , page-17

Yes , Byzantium had gold currency,the solidus, and lasted from 330 AD to 1453 unlike Rome itself. Was it Trajan or Diocletian who continually debased the coinage by clipping etc.? Byzantium was a Greek colony or rather state for 800 years before then and probably also had a gold or siver currency as well. Even with the menace of the Crusaders or Turks they didn't resort to Quantitative
Easing.( But they could have done with a bit more support from the neighbours.) I can't see America lasting another 1000 years or so.