Striker

A Striker is often thought of as an apprentice Moneymaker. There is some truth to this but the responsibilities that come with the role (including the collective responsibility with the Moneymaker and any other strikers for the soundness of the currency) mean that few become strikers until they have already built up a good reputation for honesty and integrity and have settled down to raise a family (for the changes that this can bring to a man's reliability, though generally positive, can be unpredictable).

Career

Career Progression

As noted above, Strikers are normally much older than most apprentices and, if they are not the children of moneymakers, they will usually have previously worked in, or even qualified in some other trade. Many will remain as strikers for the remainder of their careers, not taking the next step up to becoming a moneymaker in their own right for this step requires substantial capital and brings a host of other responsibilities.
Some will move on into whitesmithing becoming Anvilmen, others may specialise in the refining of silver and its supply - an if successful in the latter may build enough capital to become moneymakers in their own right or move into the Ducal Administration in one of the roles around assuring the ongoing reliability of the currency.

Payment & Reimbursement

Because of the materials that they work with and the collective responsibility that they work under (a singe rogue in a moneymaker's workshop can result in the moneymaker and all the strikers loosing their right hands) strikers are well paid for what is in many respects unskilled, or at most semi skilled labour.

Perception

Social Status

Whilst not of the same status as their masters, the strikers are seen as honest, respectable and trustworthy individuals. As such it is not uncommon for them to act as Aldermen for their Ward or to be involved in the financial management of local organisations.

Operations

Tools

Strikers work with the range of tools and equipment used by the Moneymakers in refining and alloying solver, preparing the blanks and striking the coins. Typically these tools will be the property of the Moneymaker, but most Strikers use their own hammers and possess at least one Handstone for judging the quality of the silver they are working with.