William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-28-17

Money doesn’t smell is a phrase with Roman roots namely the Latin Pecunia non olet.

Urine was valuable. It was collected from public toilets and sold to tanners. The sale was taxed.

The Emporer Vespasian’s son Titus expressed his disgusted at the concept. Vespasian had him smell a gold coin. “Does it smell?” Vespasian asked? Titus said no. “Yet it comes from urine,” Vespasian said.

And from that exchange comes the phrase.

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-28-17

Money doesn't smell is a phrase with Roman roots namely the Latin Pecunia non olet.