The Imperial Monetary System: A Guide to Our Currency

Understanding the Imperial Monetary System

A Comprehensive Guide by the New Optinium Bank

Introduction

Welcome to the Central Bank of The Empire's guide to our distinguished monetary system. This booklet is designed to offer you a clear understanding of the various forms of currency in circulation within our Empire, facilitating your financial activities and transactions.

The Imperial Mark (M)

The Imperial Mark, our primary paper currency, represents the base unit for our economy. Made by the Royal Mint and backed by the issuing banks gold and silver reserves, each Mark is a representation a equivalent amount of reserve that the issuing bank has.
Design and Security Features
Each Mark is bordered with intricate designs, to frustrate conventional counterfeiting, and a series of runes to foil magical counterfeiting. Central to its value is the artwork and seal from the issuing bank, signifying the backing of note's worth in precious metals.

Imperial Chits (c)

For everyday transactions, Imperial Chits provide practicality and ease. Available in 1c, 10c, and 50c denominations. These coins are made from coin silver of varying purities, with the 50c piece being a 10:1 silver to copper ratio, the 10c a 4:1 ratio, and the 1c a 1:2 ratio.
Design and Security Features
Unlike Marks, Chits are not issued by a private bank, rather are minted by the Royal Mint in Optinium. Each Chit is comprised of a shape to easily denote its value, with the 1c being a triangle, the 10c a square, and the 50c being a pentagon. Each Chit should have a weight of 10g and contain a hole in its centre to aid in transportation and use.

Cheque

In the realm of The Empire's monetary dealings, the cheque emerges as a sophisticated instrument designed to facilitate transactions without the need for immediate physical exchange of currency. These financial documents, issued upon the account holder's request, command the bank to pay the designated amount to the party named therein. Unlike the tangible immediacy of Marks or the metal weight of Chits, cheques serve as proxies for funds, drawing upon the account holder's balance within the bank's ledgers.
Operational Mechanism
The implementation of cheques within The Empire's banking framework allows for the movement of significant sums of money with ease and security. Account holders may issue a cheque for any amount, provided their account possesses sufficient funds to cover the draft. This method is particularly favoured for transactions involving large quantities, where handling an equivalent value in Marks or Chits would be impractical or unsafe.
Design and Security Features
Given the potential for fraud, The Empire's banks have instituted rigorous security protocols for cheque issuance and cashing. Each cheque incorporates intricate designs, akin to those found on Marks, as well as a series of magical runes to prevent forgery. Additionally, personal identification and account verification processes are in place to ensure that only the rightful owner can issue or cash cheques against their account.

Bank issued Bonds

The handling of large-scale financial dealings are made secure and efficient with the use of Bonds, Bonds are a standard method of transferring large amounts of gold by an issuing bank by the uses of their own issued bonds. Unlike Marks, bonds do not have any standard note to speak of, rather they are backed by the reputation and gold reserves of the issuing bank. Most banks will honour bonds of a different bank (fees notwithstanding).

Currency Use Beyond Our Borders

The Imperial Mark is well-regarded in international trade, with its value underpinned by precious metal reserves. In regions beyond our immediate neighbors, alternate means of trade such as bartering or local currencies may be more prevalent.

Banking with Assurance

Our banking system is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of reliability and security. Whether you're dealing with Marks, Chits, or Bonds, you can have full confidence in the integrity of your financial engagements within The Empire.

"Empowering Your Financial Journey, one transaction at a time, with New Opitium"

An overview of worth:

Wages:

Unskilled laborer: 70_c a day
Skilled laborer: 2.5_M a day
Tradesperson: 10_M a day
Skilled tradesperson: 50_M a day
Skilled artisan:100_M a day
Hireling:10_M a day
Unskilled mercenary:30_M a day
Skilled mercenary:80_M a day

Food:

A square meal: 50_c each
Ale: 30_c per mug
Cheese: 60_c per hunk
Bread: 20_c per loaf
Cheap wine: 1_M per bottle
Expensive wine: 200_M per bottle

Goods:

Soap: 20_c per bar
Feed: 50_c per day
Oil: 10_c per half quart
Kerosene: 20_c per half quart
A goat: 99_M per animal
Hemp rope: 10_M per 50ft
Salt: 50_M per pound
Pepper: 20_M per pound
Clothing; normal: 20_M per set
Clothing; fine: 500_M per set
Clothing; cold weather:110_M per set

Property:

Rent; squalor:2_M per month
Rent; poor:10_M per month
Rent; modest:50_M per month
Rent; fine:300_M per month
A small apartment:3000_M each
A normal apartment:8000_M each
A townhouse:20,000_M each
A villa:60,000_M each
A manor:200,000_M each
A villa:60,000_M each
Land; frontier:100_M per acre
Land; country:500_M per acre
Land; outside town:800_M per acre
Land; inside town:1200_M per acre
Land; ouside a city:1300_M per acre
Land; inside a city:10,000_M per acre

Item type

Currency & Deeds