Difference between revisions of "Mage Wars Currency"
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| − | The universally-recognized currency of the [[Mage Wars]] was called the 'weight', a roughly square, fat coin made from electrum. The shape was adopted because it was believed [[Dragon]]s found them uncomfortable to sleep on and would not accept them as tribute( | + | The universally-recognized currency of the [[Mage Wars]] was called the 'weight', a roughly square, fat coin made from electrum. The shape was adopted because it was believed [[Dragon]]s found them uncomfortable to sleep on and would not accept them as tribute (not remotely true). The Weight was large enough that a typically-skilled merchant could tell the purity by rough heft and be able to reject Weights with either too low a gold content or mixed with other metals. Weights were sometimes stamped with a symbol for the ruler or region where they had been struck. |
| − | A proper Weight of gold contained roughly 3 troy ounces of gold | + | A proper Weight of gold contained roughly 3 troy ounces of gold alloyed with a small amount of silver. |
==Usage== | ==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 [[Mage Wars#The Second Chaotic Period|Second Chaotic Period]]. Weights, along with large, pure gemstones, were the standard currency of nations and extremely wealthy fighters. | + | 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 [[Mage Wars#The Second Chaotic Period|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. | 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== | ==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 | + | 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 | + | 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. |
Latest revision as of 05:28, 8 August 2020
The universally-recognized currency of the Mage Wars was called the 'weight', a roughly square, fat coin made from electrum. The shape was adopted because it was believed Dragons found them uncomfortable to sleep on and would not accept them as tribute (not remotely true). The Weight was large enough that a typically-skilled merchant could tell the purity by rough heft and be able to reject Weights with either too low a gold content or mixed with other metals. Weights were sometimes stamped with a symbol for the ruler or region where they had been struck.
A proper Weight of gold contained roughly 3 troy ounces of gold alloyed with a small amount of silver.
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.
