Coins and Currency

In the Fourth Age, the most common forms of currency are silver and gold. This was not always the case, but the myriad deaths from the Thaumaturgical Wars loosed a great deal of coin into circulation as it passed from former owners into the hands of explorers, looters, grave robbers, and adventurers. Copper is still widespread, though it sees little use in the larger city-states or among even modestly successful merchants. Platinum is not as rare as it was during the previous age, but it is a precious find.

Minting and Exchange

The value of coins is based mainly on what they are rather than where they originated. Governments that mint coins mandate that their currency be used in their domains, but outside of a handful of places this is lightly enforced at best, and most people will accept coins regardless of origin (with a few exceptions). Even tax collectors will take foreign coins, though they'll usually require a little extra (they claim it's to cover money-changing fees, though everyone recognizes it as a bribe).

Exceptions to this "universal exchange" include Aelorea, Malcythia, and Ulthia. Each of these places prohibit the use of foreign coins within their domains under strict penalty (up to and including death). As it is, there are few visitors to Aelorea and Malcythia, so this generally isn't an issue for most travelers. Ulthia recognizes the value of trade and they, at least, keep their money-changing fees relatively low.

Conversely, very few outside Aelorea, Malcythia, and Ulthia will accept coins minted in those three cities, and moneychangers will charge much higher rates (usually 50% or more) to exchange them for local currency.

Coin Names

Coins are sometimes referred to literally ("coppers", "gold", etc.), but generally people use names based on regional nomenclature. These names are listed below. "n/a" means the region has no particular name for that type of coin and the inhabitants use the literal term if it comes up.

*: Plural is the same as the singular
**: Plural is dinari

Historic Coins of Note

Many of the coins currently in circulation came from the mints of the Marasinian Empire. When they end up in a ruler's coffers they get melted down and reminted, but plenty of Marasinian gold, copper, and silver coins can still be found in use. Other coins from Marasinia that are not so common, as well as currency from ages earlier, may turn up in old vaults or tombs. Some of these antique coins are described below.

Khemsan Golden Skulls: These coins are slightly larger than a typical gold coin and octagonal in shape. Minted by the temples of gods long since dead or forgotten, a skull is depicted on one side and a sun on the other. When a person of importance was entombed, a quantity of golden skulls was buried with them as this was said to be the only currency accepted in the afterlife. The looting of tombs among the Seven Cities of Bone have put these coins into circulation, though they are still a rare find, and collectors will pay up to 25 gp for a single Khemsan Golden Skull. Would-be sellers are warned that trying to find a buyer in the markets of eastern Zarkhir is risky, as many Varghani consider it sacrilege to possess these coins unless one is returning them to the dusty crypts of the western desert.

Marasinian Dragon: This large coin (about 3 inches in diameter) was used by the Mystarchs mainly for symbolic or ceremonial purposes. Made of gold with platinum inlay, one side of the coin has two dragons rampant, while the other has ancient symbols for the four elements. Two small rubies are set in the dragons' eyes, while a pattern of four small gems (diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire) are repeated four times along the edge. The coin by itself is worth 300 gp, and the gems add another 600 gp, though it's rare to find a dragon with all its gems (the value of a found dragon is typically between 300 gp and 900 gp). Due to their rarity, complete Marasinian Dragons can usually be sold for 1000 gp each.

Satarite Demon Silver: The summoning masters of ancient Satar used to mint "demon silver", silver coins shot through with reddish-black veins. This unique coloration was a result of mixing demon ichor in with molten silver during minting. A demon silver is worth 10 gp to collectors, though many are leery of these coins as they fear the demon blood in them may inflict ill effects on the possessor.

Trade Bars

While adventurers favor gems in lieu of large amounts of coins, merchants prefer "trade bars" when dealing with substantial transactions. Trade bars are flat, rectangular slabs of silver or gold. One side is marked with the denomination of the bar while the other is stamped with the symbol of the merchant house, organization, or government responsible for its crafting. Silver trade bars generally come in denominations of 10gp and 25gp and weight 2 pounds and 5 pounds, respectively. Gold trade bars come in values of 50gp and 100gp (weighing 1 pound and 2 pounds).

Though the average shopkeeper or innkeeper prefers coins, in a large enough town or city someone can usually be found to buy unwanted trade bars, if for no reason than to melt them down to use for something else. Sellers should be aware, however, that selling large numbers of trade bars will attract the attention of merchants in a town, particularly if the bars come from their house or group.