Coinage

Coins in Therra are the widespread form of currency. The only other methods of exchange, bartering and bank notes, are far rarer. Bartering is only popular in the poorest of regions, namely, orcish areas. Bank notes are gaining grounds, but still only popular in Maddocks Gate (The gnomish Gnosck Bank in the eastern trade quarter), and Philane (bank notes are magically signatured). Contracts are often used amongst major government purchases, but they are only used amongs the extremely rich privately. The main topic of discussion is metal, and it is important nowing a bit about this metal before exploring the coins themselves.

Metals

It should be noted that all coinage in Therra is made of metal. Some druidic tribes have expermented with wood, elves have used darkwood to a small degree. Wood however, lacks the durability and most of all, the rarety to be a proper method of exchange. It should also be mentioned that metals used in coinage are alloys, never just solid, except for in rare cases of Adamantium and Mithril. Individual metals are decribed below, in order of value.

Copper

The most used metal in Therra, copper is also the least rare, but still rare enough to work as coin. Copper commonly turns green after alloyed with iron, which it most commonly is. The green hue has resulted in a growing number of fraudulent coinage, made with just iron ore and covered in a green-paint. Copper coins generally last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. When copper is overworn, it becomes brittle, breaking off into smaller peices. If it does not pass the horseye test, the pieces are useless. Some trades, especially metal working shops, will purchase the bits for a small price. Copper is made in a large vat with a 7:1 copper to iron ratio most often.

Silver

The most versitile of coinage is the Silver piece. Silver is unique in that it is extremely lustrous and has strange alchemy to it that effect certain creatures. Silver, like most precious metals, is highly maleable and only found in rare quantity. Silver has the strange trend of following salt in price for years. Silver lasts about 18 years when used, and becomes darker and loses shine as it approaches its grave. Silver is mixed with a 5:1 ratio with either iron or aluminum.

Gold

The metal the causes wars is gold. This yellow bright metal is coveted by every organized intelligent group. Though ten pounds of silver is worth the same as a pound of gold (generally), most folks would guess it would take a ton of silver to equate to the brilliance of gold. Statues made of Gold speak volumes of the society that erect them. Gold has a lifespan of 50 years and is alloyed exclusivly with pure iron. Gold looses shine and also collapses with wear and tear. Gold is made under strict regulations, with a 34:11 Gold to pure iron ratio.

Platinum

The richest of the common precious metals traded, Platinum is beautiful. It has all of the richness of silver, with the purety of gold. Platinum is far rarer than any of the above metals, and its worth shows it. Platinum, unlike other metals, is not transported by the pound but by the ounce.