Clipped Coppers

Few people think about the meaning of a set of clipped copper coins, they just wonder who was that desperate. Clipping coins is common enough that it's overlooked as something out of place. Among the poorest people these coins are sometimes called beggars scratch when they are seen. This is because though rare, almost everyone living in poverty has a story or two about a time when 'so and so was so desperate...' the story usually involves some ridicules problem that drives the person to clipping coppers to try and make money or to taking clipped coppers because they needed to make a deal. The story also usually ends with the person regretting it.
Copper coins are the most common of all coins across the world, a small number of countries don't have copper coins in circulation but as of yet none of those few have outlawed the temple of Lieh Tzu. The clipped copper is not known as a symbol of the beggar gods temple, which is why it works so well. By some miracle those who have been captured in the past during rebellions or those who were caught out for trusting the wrong person proved to be unbreakable in questioning. Others have been found to have blank spots in their memory when taken in. Many believe this to be a gift of Lieh Tzu him self. In any case those who are not part of the temple or a current rebellion in a land where his temple is outlawed, seem to somehow remain ignorant of the meaning in these near worthless coins.

Significance

The paladins of Lieh Tzu, and most of the temple in fact in places where it is outlawed use these coins to identify each other and also to call one another to arms. When a rebellion or a raid on the slaver blockade is planned the word is usually spread by messengers making the rounds to try and buy some small item from those loyal to the temple with a few clipped coppers. This will let them know that the time to prepare for battle has arrived. If someone comes in though and asks what they can get for the clipped coppers, that is just the way they introduce themselves to one another.

Rarity

Because of the intrinsic lack of worth in copper coins they are the rarest to be clipped and usually are only clipped by the most desperate of the poor. Less than .001% of the coppers in circulation in any country that uses copper coins, are clipped.

Weight

1/17th to 1/20th of an ounce (1.64 - 1.42g)

Dimensions

Unclipped coins are 7/8th of an inch (22 mm)