Again, coinage saw its greatest debasement during times of war and uncertainty. A persistent feature was the inflationary debasement and replacement of coins over the centuries. Debasement of money almost always leads to price inflation. This involved a debasement of the currency of 4.97%. This inflation in "equites"' numbers inevitably led to the debasement of the order's prestige. Medieval coin types frequently suffered from gradual debasement, and the coins were generally small. The debasement was gradual at first, but then accelerated rapidly. Lien is the internal moral face that involves shame, integrity, debasement, and honor issues. The denarius began to undergo slow debasement toward the end of the republican period. Debasement of the coin's silver content continued after Nero. During debasement the following coins circulated. Another reason for debasement was lack of raw metal with which to produce coins. Galsworthy opposes what he sees as the debasement of knowledge in populist politics. Despite his public debasement, Pilnyak acted courageously in secret. Bruce Bartlett traces the beginning of debasement to the reign of Nero.