Currency

Currency is the standardization of tokens which hold value within a given economy that can be exchanged for goods or services. Each Kingdom has a similar currency structure, with differences relating to their separate economies which present in their different societal perceptions of the value of certain goods and services over others.

## **History**

### **Early Trading Methods**

Before an official form of currency was introduced into Astorian society each of the Kingdoms had different methods of trading for goods or services.

Within the Sun Kingdom most trade involved exchanging food in some capacity, this was due to two reasons, one being to aid in stockpiling for use in colder months, and the second to potentially be used as tribute in sermons. With the discovery of preservation methods around 005AT, jerked meats were a more common token of currency, with individuals carrying bundles of jerky on their person.

Within the Earth Kingdom there were two forms of trading, ***match trading***, where individuals will trade items of agreed upon value, and ***work trading***, where one individual supplies another individual with enough raw materials to be made into a refined product and a small surplus. The refined product is given to the supplier and if the supplier is satisfied they will give an additional amount of raw material, or a similar token of appreciation, referred to as ***tipping***. This form of trading became more common over time, with tipping become a frequent custom.

Within the Moon Kingdom basic necessities such as food and clothes were readily available to those who needed them within reason, however items or services which require more skill to produce are typically traded for either something of an equal value agreed upon by both parties, or a later favor. ***Favors*** usually took the form of a token made of wood or stone, these tokens would have markings indicating who the favor is for and who gave the favor. Once the favor is repaid the token is customarily destroyed.

### **Currency System Origins**

The earliest form of currency was developed in the Earth Kingdom around 010AT where circular copper tokens were printed with the Queens face and an image made by the coin smith on opposite surfaces. This token was initially used almost exclusively in match trading to reduce conflicts regarding trade values, which were an increasing issue at the time. In 14AT the upper and royal classes began using gold tokens instead of copper tokens, increasing their inherent value.

With the emergence of the council of commerce in 017AT came the introduction of a more official form of currency within the Earth Kingdom. This new system implemented tiers of value attributed to what material a token is printed from and introduced the royal mint and coin printing laws. Only those who work for the royal mint were able to print coins legally and each coin had to follow a strict method of production.

Standardized currency systems reached the Sun and Moon Kingdoms as a result of the trinity pact in 029AT, although notably the use of currency was slowest to take among the population within the Moon Kingdom.

In 036AT the Moon Kingdom created an alternate form of currency which was seen as an improvement upon the favor trading still prominent within the Kingdom. This currency took the form of ***notes of favor***, which was shortened to just 'notes' over time, but unlike their older favor token counterparts, notes were not destroyed or personalized, rather traded from person to person.

Initially this form of currency was only used within the Moon Kingdom and not seen as an official form of global currency until the next year in 037AT where the council of commerce adopted it and created regulations on their printing.

## **Coins**

Coins are typically are characterized as small, circular, and made of a precious metal. Most coins measure between 0.5'' and 1.5'' in circumference, and around 0.3 cm thick.

### **Conversion Values**

Legally a coin must be made of either copper, silver, or gold to be viable for trading. Depending on the precious metal used in printing it will denote the general value of a coin, this value can also be relative to the material type above or below itself in value, referred to as its ***conversion value***.

#### **Standard Conversion Rates**

 1 Copper Coin
 1 Silver Coin
 1 Gold Coin

### **Coin Terminology**

Each Kingdom has a separate naming conventions based on the material used in printing the coin.

#### **General Coin Names**

 Silver
 Gold

### **Coin Values**

In order to reduce the amount of coins needed to complete a transaction but remain faithful to standard conversion values each Kingdom have coins which differ in value within their material tier. The differences in value are presented in their size, surface patterns and edge patterns.

## **Notes**

Notes are typically characterized as small, rectangular and made of paper. Most notes measure 3'' wide, 7'' long, and around 0.3'' thick.

The paper and ink used in printing notes are a closely guarded secret as to prevent forgeries, although one notable feature found in legal notes is their ability to glow under moonlight and give off different smells when folded.

Similar to coins, notes can hold different values based on their surface pattern, ink colour, and fragrance.

## **Trivia**

* While silver is only slightly rarer than copper, gryphons actively seek to horde silver over most other materials, thus increasing it's value as a consequence.
* Notes gained quick popularity once they were introduced due to how light they were to carry in comparison to coins, and how easy they were to hide on ones person.