Three centuries ago, most wealth was stored and exchanged as gold and silver coins.  At the beginning of the eighteenth century, John Law stepped onto the world’s stage: striking, charismatic and a mathematical genius.  He developed the idea that if money were lent in the form of paper, properly backed up by proper assets, then the same money could be lent several times over.  Despite opposition, he won royal backing to set up the first French bank to issue paper currency.  Epic drama followed as he turned the financial world topsy turvy.  A philanderer, a gambler and a murderer – the man who gave us paper money.