Dwarven Coinsquares
Dwarven Coinsquares are the dwarven equivalent to the common currency in Tamia. They mimic the Copper, Silver, and Gold coins most people use in everyday life around the continent, but carry more weight with the dwarven nation. They are exactly what they sound like, cut squares of metal, each with a square hole in the center, inscribed with symbols denoting their rank among the currency structure. They differ in size and type of metal to be easily distingishible, and are classified as follows:
- Dwarven Pick - This small square coin is made of Iron and is inscribed with a mining pick. It weighs 2 ounces and is 1" squared. It is the equivalent of a copper piece.
- Dwarven Axe - This medium square coin is made of Silver and is inscribed with a battle axe. It weighs 4 ounces and is 1 1/2" squared. it is the equivalent of a silver piece.
- Dwarven Shield - This large square coin is made out of Gold and is inscribed with a shield. It weighs 8 ounces and is 2" squared. It is the equivalent of a gold piece.
Dwarven Pick, Axe, and Shield coins by Michael D. Nadeau
History
Created in 172 SF by Dimitri Silverbeard and the Gearsmith Guild, these coins were made to give the dwarves their own currency to supplement the normal currency of the other nations. Originally minted out of frustration due to inflation among the various powerful family's and business's, these coins were made to be a stable commerce and since they were owned by a nation, couldn't be imposed upon in trade wars or tariffs (unless they didn't want the dwarven merchandise that is). Since the silver and gold was regulated by the family's, they changed the value of those coins from year to year depending on the mining process and minting of the coins. Palms are greased and bribes given and soon the people pay the price. The dwarves turned their beards up at this and so they decided to make their own. Soon all of Nagar were using these instead of the regular currency and as word spread of their inclusion into the economy of Tamia, arguments started.Economic Influence
The rest of Tamia saw the creation of a separate currency as an affront, and for the first few years refused to acknowledge its use outside of the Nation of Nagar. However, like all things, supply and demand dictated their willingness to deal with these new coins, and the inventions of the dwarven Gearsmiths. The dwarves started refusing payment unless the buyer bought into the dwarven currency, exchanging them at most viewings with the dwarven bankers that just happened to be at the showings for new inventions. Within fifty short years, the Dwarven Coinsquares were accepted across all of Tamia without reproach, and because of the stability of the dwarven economy, most people took stock in them over other forms of currency. By 500 SF they are as common as Gold pieces in most of the cities, and there is talk of making them the common currency over the silver coins of the family's.Cultural Influences
As the years have gone by and the Dwarven Coinsqaures have gained popularity with other races, some races have started referring to them with other names. In elven society, when these coins are referenced, they are called dwarven rings because they fit on fingers like rings. With humans they are called Dwarven Wheels as a human merchant named Endrise once came up with the name watching a dwarven merchant tumble down a hill in full armor. The phrase "Rolling like a square wheel" was quick to catch on (Much to the chagrin of said dwarf) and since then most humans call them as such. They also have named groups of five coins "stacks"; so that something might cost one pick stack (stack of five iron coins) or five shield stacks.Manufacturing process
The Dwarven Coinsquares are cut to exact dimensions and weight by the huge gear cutters and pressed with the Dwarven Press with their symbols.
Dwarven Coinsquares stacked up by Michael D. Nadeau
Item type
Currency & Deeds
Current Location
Manufacturer
Owning Organization
Rarity
Common in the Nation of Nagar, uncommon anywhere else. They are used by most people, yet the common currency is still used more in non dwarven cities.
Weight
2 - 8 ounces depending on type
Dimensions
1" - 2" squared depending on type
Base Price
Varies depending on type
Raw materials & Components
Made of Iron (Pick), Silver (Axe) and Gold (Shield) each inscribed by a dwarven press with their appropriate symbols.
Dwarven Coinsquares held on a chain by Michael D. Nadeau
Functional and Practical
The hole in the center is made for ease of carrying on a dwarven chain belt, or even to string up by a shop for storage. The size of the coins was not random either, as they stack perfectly with each other in a ascending tower and is famous at gaming tables as displays of wealth. A dwarf that has made "towers" of his winnings is looked upon as a powerful player and to be respected. Knocking over one's Tower is the ultimate insult and has led to many tavern brawls throughout the dwarven cities.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
"and since the dwarves refused to change their value due to any other inflation or rules, most people took stock in them over other forms of currency." I'm not sure you know how currency works... you don't 'Change' the value of a currency, it shifts naturally with it's supply. If your money is made out of paper and you print more, each remaining bill is worth less because of it. Printing more money is really hard to do if it's made out of gold or silver because it's made out of a finite resource, therefore a gold or silver currency will fulctuate in value less than a paper one, it's just harder to carry around. I apologize if you already knew this or just don't care.
I'm no economics major but what I was getting at was the powerful business's rising prices and influencing the supply and demand in my world. The current money system is driven on business and the powerful family all have their fingers in the pies so to speak. Just trying to add a bit of stubborn dwarf feel to it all. Thanks though!