Currency

From ages past comes the idea of minted currency, a system of coins and other standards that can be used in the bartering and exchange of goods. These standards are created, verified, and backed by the governments that issue them, saving the individual the need to be an expert in all manner of goods and services and their worth.

The nation of Shurrah takes their currency the most seriously, and one of their most powerful Bureau's is in charge of all aspects of their monetary system. The Bureau of Minting, Stamping, and Engraving has many responsibilities, but the only one of any true import is their production of the coins of Shurrah and the punishment of those who deface, devalue, or otherwise abuse that currency.

The most well known coin produced by the Bureau is the Shurran, a large silver coin which weighs one Niellenorian ounce (and ounce and a third by normal measures), and just over an inch in diameter. The coin has knurled edges to prevent shaving, a stamp of the Bureau on one side and the seal of Shurrah upon the other. It should be noted that anyone in possession of a shaved coin of any denomination from this nation is subject to arrest, imprisonment, and worse. Offering to pay with a shaved coin is tantamount to spitting in someone's face.

Shurrah also mints smaller denominations in the Penion worth one hundreth of a Shurran, and the Tenth, worth one tenth, the former of which is brass and the latter copper. Also of intest is the Shurran Coer, commonly called the "Sun." It is the most valuable coin minted in Darisia. This gold coin is valued at fifty Shurrans, but often is worth much more because these coins are changed each year and are hand carved, being works of art.

All of the other nations in Darisia which mint coins, with the possible exception of Riamahn, have coins systems which utilize the weight of an unshaved Shurran (as most places refer to the Niellenorian Ounce) as the standard for their coinage. Elloria mints a silver coin of identical weight, but this coin has smooth edges and often suffers from shaving. For this reason the Mallus, as it is called, is frequently discounted when scales are not present to weigh it. Elloria also mints the Beshit, a brass coin worth a hundreth of a Mallus and too hard to suffer from shaving.

The Estovian coins are the Eagle and the Shield. The Eagle is a silver coin worth just over half a Shurran and the Shield is a slightly larger copper coin worth a fifth of an Eagle. Both coins have a hexagonal outside and a round inlet in them. This makes them difficult to shave and easy to carry strung on a thread or other line.

The last nation to mint its own coins is Riamahn. All of these coins are silver, though varying in size. They all have knurled edges, engraved or pressed features, and other oddities that make them hard to copy or denature. The Medallion, the largest, weighs two Niellenorian ounces, while the Galleon weighs one. The last coin, the Shevva, is but a tenth the weight of a Galleon and is the smallest coin found in Darisia.

An approximate list of exchanges between coins, although these exchanges fluctuate constantly do to political and economic factors, exists below. It should be noted that all values for coins are "undiscounted." Coins which are prone to shaving or other forms of devaluation are often accepted for less than face value if scales are not present to verify their weight.

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