Silver-Based Economy (Silver Standard)

The economy of this world is based in silver, not gold. The Silver Standard is a simple conversion of all official rulebook prices of nonmagical goods, weapons and armor from gold to silver. If a longsword costs 15gp in the Player's Handbook, it now costs 15sp; a 1sp club costs only 1cp. This makes silver the basis of your game economy and copper is now a meaningful exchange unit for small transactions. Any treasure in the form of gold and platinum is suddenly the stuff of legend and a life-changing opportunity to become rich. Players creating new characters don't need to convert while choosing their starting equipment. Once done, any remaining money is converted from silver to copper, and from gold to silver. Magical items are expensive and retain their price in gold. International trade is also in gold, and mercenaries and skilled workers may charge gold for their services.