Galactic Credit Standard The Galactic Credit Standard , simply called a credit or abbreviated to cred , colloquially referred to as Republic Dataries , and later known as the Imperial Credit , was the main currency in use in the galaxy since the time of the Galactic Republic . The galactic credit standard was established on Sojourn . From its inception , the credit was backed by the immense wealth of the planet Muunilinst and the InterGalactic Banking Clan ( IGBC ) . During the Clone Wars , the IGBC backed the currencies of both sides , as it would do so again decades later for the New Republic and Imperial Remnant . One tenth of a credit was called a decicred . Form . The credit was a form of digital currency with cards in circulation . Although they were about the same size , credits sometimes came in different patterns or designs , most likely depending on how much they were worth . Sometime during the height of the Galactic Republic , credit chips became popular . During the Clone Wars , the credit also came in the form of small metallic ingots . There were also cubes that were presumably similar to chips . Near the end of the Galactic Empire ' s reign , physical currency enjoyed an increase in popularity as denizens of the galaxy awaited resolution to the Galactic Civil War . Many were wary that credit chips could become worthless following the war . In some places , such as the first Death Star , credits could be accessed via a debit code . Credits could be transferred or withdrawn from an account card . These were usually used by sabacc or pazaak players . Bounty hunters also received an agreed amount of credits after completing a task or mission . Decline . During the Clone Wars , and even before , many of the galaxy ' s inhabitants were worried about the war ' s outcome and the effect it would have on the galactic economy . Because of this , an overwhelming majority of planets outside the Core and Inner Rim would not accept credits . These planets and regions began minting their own special currencies . In 22 BBY , the InterGalactic Banking Clan was creating new currencies at a rate of twenty per day , with the InterGalactic Currency Exchange System managing the currency . The Empire continued to use the credit , now called the Imperial Credit , as its main currency , and during the reign of Emperor Palpatine , there were few who would not accept it . Even the Alliance to Restore the Republic used it , along with their own Alliance Credit , as it was the most used and easiest - to - use currency in the galaxy . Imperial credits existed in coins and chips of varying denominations : 0 . 1 , 0 . 2 , 0 . 5 , 1 , 2 , 5 , 10 , 20 , 50 , 100 , 200 , 500 , 1000 , 2000 and 5000 . In addition , the Imperial credits also had pictures on one side relating to important elements within the Empire . For example , a credit coin that was worth 1000 had an image of the Imperial Palace . While larger denominations coins existed , they weren ' t widely circulated throughout the galaxy . After the fracturing of the Empire at the Battle of Endor , many different currencies came into existence . Though the New Republic had reclaimed the credit , it was by no means the most accepted monetary unit in the galaxy . Many regions , including the Imperial Remnant , again began printing their own currencies . During this time exchange rates fluctuated wildly , and indeed it was hard at times to find anyone that would exchange one for another . Traders , smugglers , and legitimate freighters dealt in precious metals and commodities as neither the New Republic nor the Imperial Remnant would accept the other ' s currency . Behind the scenes . In supplemental material written by George Lucas in 1977 for the use of licenses , he described the " Coin of the Galactic Realm " as having two forms : a " credit unit , " which is left undescribed , and a flat square coin made out of crystal . The crystal coin was unreproducible by anyone other than the Empire . The credit symbol ( ) follows the expansive tradition in real life of governments using a letter from the alphabet crossed by one or two lines to denote a currency symbol . The credit sign is the letter Resh crossed by two lines in the upper left , with the Resh possibly standing for " Republic " . The credit symbol follows the trend for currency symbols in real life such as the ( £ ) , the ( € ) , ( $ ) , ( ¢ ) and many others .