Currencies of the Great Ring

There are many forms of currency used around the Great Ring. This article will describe a few of the most widely used options, that are likely to be acceptable anywhere in the islands, and potentially beyond.

The most widespread currencies are those found in the largest trade ports in the world, as well as those minted in places where valuable materials (like precious metals) are found. In most places, gold, silver, and copper coins are the standard. There are also letters of credit that can be exchanged for hard currency, although their exact value may fluctuate based on the institution that guarantees the letter's worth. The most reliable letters of credit are those issued by the Kendari Couriers, as they have offices all around the Great Ring, and will always honor the value described in the letter (minus their fees). Other groups that will issue letters of credit include several large trade houses, and some chapters of the Order of the Lightkeepers.

Major Currencies

Creodan Currency

Creoda is the wealthiest country in the Northeastern Region, largely due to the highly valuable mines known as the Fodinae Profundae. The capital, Lifworðig is one of the major trading hubs of the Great Ring, and the coins minted in Creoda can be found and used throughout the islands.

The coins of Creoda are made of gold, silver, and copper. Merchants in the Northeastern Region typically consider gold to be fifteen times the value of silver, and 160 times the value of copper. This ratio may fluctuate from time to time based on the supply of each metal, and is not universal - different regions of the world may value these metals at different rates.

There are eight coins minted in Creoda, although the more valuable ones are rarely seen by most people. All the coins are minted with an image of the current monarch of Creoda on one side, and have varying images stamped into the reverse.

The Coins

• Farthing: A copper coin, with the image of a ship on the reverse. It weighs 0.18 ounces, and is 20mm in diameter and 1.8mm thick. It is the least valuable coin in Creoda, worth 1/960 of a Golden Bridge. It has a plain, unmilled edge. For comparison, it is slightly larger than the American penny, and almost as thick as the American nickel, with a weight almost exactly the same as an American nickel.
• Halfpenny: A copper coin, with two crossed swords on the reverse. It weighs 0.36 ounces, and is 29mm in diameter and 1.7mm thick. It is the second least valuable coin in Creoda, worth 1/480 of a Golden Bridge. It has a plain, unmilled edge. For comparison, it is almost as large as an American half-dollar, and slightly thinner than an American quarter, with a weight almost exactly the same as an American half-dollar.
• Penny: A silver coin, with the image of a horse on the reverse. It weighs 0.07 ounces, and is 15mm in diameter and 1.02mm thick. It is the most commonly used coin in Creoda, and worth 1/240 of a Golden Bridge. It has a milled edge to discourage clipping. For comparison, it is slightly smaller and thinner than the American dime, with a weight slightly less than an American dime.
• Threepenny: A silver coin, with the royal arms on the reverse. It weighs 0.2 ounces, and is 20mm in diameter and 1.72mm thick. It is a commonly used coin in Creoda, worth 1/80 of a Golden Bridge. It has a milled edge, like the penny. For comparison, it is a little larger than an American penny, and slightly thinner than an American quarter, with a weight almost exactly the same as an American quarter.
• Sixpenny: A silver coin, with the floral design on the reverse. It weighs 0.4 ounces, and is 28mm in diameter and 1.756mm thick. It is a commonly seen coin in Creoda, worth 1/40 of a Golden Bridge. It has a milled edge. For comparison, it is a little smaller than the American half-dollar, and almost as exactly as thick as the American quarter, with a weight almost exactly the same as an American half-dollar.
• Mark: A silver coin, with a crown on the reverse. It weighs 0.8 ounces, and is 30mm in diameter and 2.865mm thick. It is the most valuable coin in common use in Creoda, worth 1/20 of a Golden Bridge. The edge is lettered with the monarch's name. For comparison, it is almost as large as an American half-dollar, and slightly thicker than a UK pound coin, with a weight almost twice that of an American half-dollar.
• Throne: A gold coin, with the image of a throne on the reverse. It weighs 0.53 ounces, and is 24mm in diameter and 1.73mm thick. It is rarely used, except by the wealthiest people, and worth half of a Golden Bridge. It has a milled edge to discourage clipping. For comparison, it is slightly smaller and thinner than the American quarter, but three times as heavy.
• Bridge: A gold coin, with an image of the Aurelian Bridge on the reverse. It weighs 1.067 ounces, and is 30.5mm in diameter and 2.13mm thick. It is almost never used, and only the wealthiest people have ever handled one. It has a milled edge, like the penny. For comparison, it is almost identical in size and thickness to an American half-dollar, but three times as heavy.

Sabaen Currency

In the Southeastern Region, the currency minted by the Malikate of Saba is the most common currency found, especially in the Malikate itself and the great city of Tarshish.

Like the coins of Creoda, Sabaen coinage is made of precious metals. Gold and copper are more common in the Southeastern Region, and the Malikate has decreed gold to be ten times the value of silver, and 120 times the value of copper. This decree has resulted in some merchants bringing silver from elsewhere into the Malikate to exchange for gold and copper coins that have greater relative value in other countries. The Malika of Saba has taken steps to control the influx of silver into the Malikate, and much of the foreign silver has been removed from circulation and is stored in her palace.

There are six coins commonly minted in the Malikate, and a handful of unusual coins that have been introduced and withdrawn at various times. This article will address only the common coins. These coins are stamped with images on both sides, and do not share a common image as the Creodan coins do.

The Coins

• Waraqa: The smallest unit of Sabaen currency, the waraqa is a copper coin marked with images of leaves on both sides. Historical waraqas were bronze plated in a thin layer of silver, but the Malika of Saba discontinued this practice and introduced the copper version several hundred years ago. When the copper coin was introduced, the weight was standardized to be the same as the silver and gold mithqaals, at 0.15 ounces. It is 16.6mm in diameter, and 1.5mm thick. It is worth 1/1,200 of a Eumla. For comparison, it is slightly smaller than an American dime, and about as thick as an American penny. It weighs almost as much as an American nickel.
• Aljinu: This a brass coin, marked with a flame on one side, and stylized storm cloud on the reverse. Legend says that these are inspired by coins brought out of the Al-Kubra by adventurers who visited the City of Brass. It weighs 0.3 ounces. It is 27.8mm in diameter, and 2.1 mm thick. It is worth 1/500 of a Eumla. For comparison, it is slightly larger, thicker, and heavier than an American dollar coin.
• Drahm: The drahm is a silver coin, marked on one side with the word "Malika" on one side, and an image of a Glass Needle on the reverse. It weighs 0.1 ounces. A drahm is 16mm in diameter, and 1.35mm thick. It is worth 1/150 of a Eumla. For comparison, a drahm is slightly smaller than an American dime, and about as thick. It is a little heavier than an American penny.
• Silver Mithqaal: A larger silver coin than the Drahm, the mithqaal is used a standard of weight as well as a currency. The silver and gold versions of the mithqaal are both marked with scales on one face and the date and place of their minting on the reverse. The mithqaal is the only Sabaen currency to have milled edges. It weighs 0.15 ounces. It is 18mm in diameter, and 1.6mm thick. It is worth 1/100 of a Eumla. For comparison, a silver mithqaal is slightly larger than an American dime, and a little thicker than an American penny. It weighs a little less than an American nickel.
• Gold Mithqaal: A smaller version of the Silver Mithqaal, but with the exact same weight and markings. It weighs 0.15 ounces. It is 14.7mm in diameter and 1.3mm thick. It is worth 1/10 of a Eumla. For comparison, a gold mithqaal is smaller than an American dime and about as thick, but almost twice as heavy.
• Eumla: The most valuable coin minted in the Malikate of Saba, the eumla is a gold coin marked with a ship on one face and the date and place of minting inscribed on the reverse. It weighs 1.5 ounces. It is almost never used in circulation. It is a very large coin, with a diameter of 31.5mm and a thickness of 2.825mm. For comparison, this is a little larger than an American half-dollar, and about as thick as a UK pound coin. It weighs about four times as much as an American half-dollar.

Lahatian Currency

The prominence of the city of Kendari has spread the currency of the Kingdom of Lahat throughout the Southwestern Region, except inside the Tagápulo Empire.

Lahatian currency is not actually coin-shaped. Inspired by the pearls that made Kendari rich, the "coins" of Lahat are beads, with a hole through the center so they can be connected by a string. Lahatian merchants will frequently give a discount if payments are made using whole strings, and there are standard amounts that are typically strung together. Traditionally, strands always have an odd number of beads, and the most common numbers are 15 and 31 beads on a strand.

These beads are typically cast in 10mm spheres known as Gihuk, the Dilauti word for pearl. There are six different metals typically used to make Gihuk: bronze, copper, electrum, gold, pewter, and silver. Some merchants may also accept pearls or gemstones, but they will be scrutinzed more carefully to determine their exact value.

The Beads

• Tumbaga Gihuk: This is a copper bead weighing about 0.17 ounces. Tumbuga Gihuk are typically used in strands of 15 or 31 beads at a time, and there are also 45 and 61 bead strands in occasional use. Sometimes, a few Tumbaga will be added to a strand of other gihuk to adjust the strand to a specific value. One Tumbaga Gihuk is worth 1/225 Dahab Gihuk.
• Langis Gihuk: This is a pewter bead weighing about 0.14 ounces. They can found in strands of 15, 31, and 45 beads, and rarely longer. They are frequently added to mixed strands to adjust their value. One Langis Gihuk is worth 1/150 Dahab Gihuk.
• Tulok Gihuk: This is a bronze bead weighing about 0.16 ounces. They are most often used in mixed strands to adjust the value, although strands of pure Tulok Gihuk are occasionally seen, usually with 15 or 31 beads. One Tulok Gihuk is worth 1/45 Dahab Gihuk.
• Pilak Gihuk: This is a silver bead weighing about 0.19 ounces. Pilak Gihuk are most often used in strands of 15 or 31 beads, and rarely in longer strands, although they may be included on a mixed strand to achieve a specific value. One Pilak Gihuk is worth 1/15 Dahab Gihuk.
• Dalaek Gihuk: This is an electrum bead, using an alloy that is 50% gold and 50% silver. Many merchants are wary of the Dalaek Gihuk, as it can be difficult to determine whether the precise proportions were followed, and these beads invite more scrutiny than others. They are slightly larger than the standard Gihuk, with a diameter of 10.3mm, and a properly formulated Dalaek Gihuk weighs 0.18 ounces. It is worth 1/2 Dahab Gihuk.
• Dahab Gihuk: This is a gold bead weighing about 0.36 ounces. Dahab Gihuk are usually found in strands of 15, and rarely on longer strands. A single Dahab Gihuk may be added to a mixed strand, and it is considered unlucky to have more than one on a mixed strand.

Wamatoan Currency

The currency of the Empire of Wamato is dominant in the Northwestern Region, and can be found throughout the Great Ring. These coins are primarily in use by the upper classes in the Empire; for most people, the primary currency is rice, and many Wamatoans do not trust coinage. This is due to the issues encountered during the initial introduction of coins, during the reign of the current emperor's grandfather.

Until that time, rice was the only currency used in the Empire. In the interest of fostering trade, the Emperor decreed that the daimyos of the Empire would have the right to mint coins. They did so without any coordination or planning, and several of the less-scrupulous daimyos debased the coinage by minting coins with high percentages of inferior metals and passing them as pure. People found the coinage both confusing and untrustworthy, and there was a strong push in the court to abandon the project entirely and return to the familiar rice.

The Emperor chose a different path. He decreed that each coin must be minted with the image and name of one of the Kami, making it a sacred object. Doing so made minting a debased coin a direct offense against the Kami. As the representative of Kami to the empire, the emperor had sole discretion in matters that dealt with them, and was able to impose far harsher penalties than he could have otherwise.

This eliminated the production of debased currency almost overnight. Coins that were not dedicated to one of the Kami were destroyed by Imperial authorities, and the metal returned to the daimyo who had minted it. Few among the daimyo wished to risk angering the Kami through minting a debased coin, and those that did were punished harshly by both Imperial and divine authorities.

This still left the confusing array of different coins in play, and this problem was more intractable. There are dozens of coins minted throughout the Empire, of varying materials and weights. The most reliable of these are the Imperial Kouka, those coins minted by the direct authority of the Emperor in the city of Wamato. These coins are held to a rigid standard, and are accepted by merchants without question. Many of the prefecture coins minted by the daimyos have adopted this standard, although they may also mint some coins that do not adhere to it. The coins described below are all Imperial Kouka.

Each Imperial Kouka is a disc of metal, with a square hole through the center. These holes are used to string coins together, similar to the bead-coins of Lahat. They are also used to aid in counting the coins; the coins can be slid onto marked square rods to easily show how many are present. Both strings of coins and individual coins are commonly used. The Imperial Kouka are all of a standard thickness of six rin, which approximately 1.8mm. Each coin is marked with the name of the Kami to which the coin is dedicated, with the place it was minted on the reverse. It has become common to include coins dedicated to the specific Kami when making an offering at their shrine.

Imperial Kouka are minted of gold, silver, and fuhon-sen (an alloy of copper, lead, and tin). On any given day, the Imperial Mint will honor a particular Kami, chosen by the Emperor beforehand, and mint coins in each metal with the name of the Kami inscribed upon it.

The Coins

• Wadō: The wadō is the least valuable coin in the Imperial Kouka, and weighs 0.13 ounces. It is made of fuhon-sen, and has a diameter of 24mm, with square hole 8mm on a side in the center. It is worth 1/1000 of a Kin. For comparison, it is slightly thinner than an American nickel and slightly smaller than an American quarter. It weighs a little more than an American penny.
• Gin: The gin is a silver coin that weighs 0.13 ounces. It has a diameter of 18.16mm, with a square hole 8mm on a side in the center. It is worth 1/100 of a Kin. For comparison, the gin is slightly larger than an American dime, and slightly thinner than an American nickel. It weighs a little more than an American penny.
• Gin-ni: The gin-ni is a silver coin that weighs 0.26 ounces. It has a diameter of 24.05mm, with a square hole 8mm on a side in the center. It is worth 1/50 of a Kin. For comparison, the gin-ni is about the size of an American quarter and slightly thinner than an American nickel. It weighs about as much an American dollar coin.
• Kin: The kin is a gold coin that weighs 0.795 ounces. It has a diameter of 30.125mm, with a hole through that center that is 8mm on a side. They are rarely used in common circulation. For comparison, the kin is slightly smaller than the American half-dollar, and slightly thinner than an American nickel. It is almost twice the weight of an American half-dollar.

Currency Relative Values

Creodan currency is used as the base for conversions, with the Penny being the standard coin. The coins are listed in order from least valuable to most valuable. When dealing with non-Creodan coins, these conversions reflect what a fair moneychanger in Lifworðig would provide (not counting any fees).

• 1 Wadō = 0.18 Pennies
• 1 Waraqa = 0.2 Pennies
• 1 Tumbaga Gihuk = 0.24 Pennies
• 1 Farthing = 0.25 Pennies
• 1 Aljinu = 0.48 Pennies
• 1 Halfpenny = 0.5 Pennies
• 1 Langis Gihuk = 0.54 Pennies
• 1 Tulok Gihuk = 0.95 Pennies
• 1 Penny = 1 Penny
• 1 Drahm = 1.4 Pennies
• 1 Gin = 1.8 Pennies
• 1 Silver Mithqaal = 2.1 Pennies
• 1 Pilak Gihuk = 2.85 Pennies
• 1 Threepenny = 3 Pennies
• 1 Gin-ni = 3.6 Pennies
• 1 Sixpenny = 6 Pennies
• 1 Mark = 12 Pennies
• 1 Gold Mithqaal = 34 Pennies
• 1 Dalaek Gihuk = 42 Pennies
• 1 Dahab Gihuk = 81.5 Pennies
• 1 Throne = 120 Pennies
• 1 Kin = 180 Pennies
• 1 Bridge = 240 Pennies
• 1 Eumla = 340 Pennies