Mage Wars Currency

Various cultures and civilizations throughout the Mage Wars made use of a variety of currencies. Barter dominated the low-level transactions, but various coins made from semi-precious metals saw use and were often accepted interchangeably. A copper/zinc alloy called "Orichalcum" (not to be confused with the magical metal of the same name) saw considerable use as a non-tarnishing coinage in various denominations. However owing to the relative commonality of these two metals, Orichalcum coins were largely an early fiat-currency and were often counterfeited.

The standard high-level currency for use by nation states, wealthy traders, and of course adventurers, was called the 'weight', a piece of electrum cold-hammered into a rough square of approximately three troy ounces. Electrum was chosen because it could not easily be counterfeited. A novice mage can sense the impurities, and the coins were large enough that a typically-skilled merchant could tell by heft. Weights that had been "shaved" were also easy to spot. The square shape was chosen because it was believed (quite erroneously) that dragons found square coins uncomfortable to sleep on.

Weights were always as close as possible to the standard size, but in transactions they would be physically weighed. A common practice was for merchants to carry a precise piece of led which was supposed to be the same weight as an official Weight.

Usage

Weights were reserved almost exclusively for high-level transactions by adventurers and battling-sorcerers. The value of a Weight was such that no common individual was likely ever to see one in their life, and indeed was equivalent to about 10 years' wages in the late Second Chaotic Period. Weights, along with large, pure gemstones, were the standard currency of nations and extremely wealthy fighters.

The average peasant or city-dweller used either a barter-system or locally-minted coins for their every-day transactions. More than a few states even issued early paper currency, often called "coin certificates". A typical Mage Wars-era fighter wielding enchanted weapons would carry some of these, or smaller coins made from silver that were likely to be taken anywhere. However, the Weights they carried were usually more than a commoner would earn in a lifetime, and their equipment might easily be worth the entire treasury of a city.

Post-War Inflation Issues

Immediately following the cessation of hostilities, the old adventurers suddenly found themselves with very sizable fortunes. Not only did these people often have sums in the tens of thousands of Weights available to them, their armor and weapons (now no longer needed) were worth vast sums. A typical enchanted weapon, sold for scrap alone, was worth hundreds of thousands, up to millions of Weights. Many enchanted swords were relics in their own right, thousands of years old and with important histories. What brave fighters casually wore strapped to their belts were now regarded as national treasures.

The problem, of course, was, with so much wealth tied up in such small items, there was little or no actual market for them. Many enchanted items were virtually indestructible, so even melting them down to reclaim the valuable materials wasn't an option. There was no where to sell them, because no one could afford them. Weapons and items with cultural significance could sometimes be sold to the state for close to their real value. Other former adventurers turned showman, and made great sums of money exhibiting their collections. Arindell, as the home of many of the Mage Wars' greatest fighters, had many such displays.