Currency

The currency system in Cheridith was a universal one established by the Elders. It consists of four kinds of coins, and each can be divided into quarters and halves.

The most valuable coin is the tanvite coin. One quarter of it is worth ten gold coins, so it is worth forty gold coins in total. Made from the valuable tanvite ore found only in the deepest mines, this is the currency of kings, and wealthy ones at that. They sparkle with a silver shimmer, but it is their hardness and smoothness which differentiates them from other coin. They are minted from raw ore by the Qaardian Tanvite Workshops who charge one coin for every ten they mint.

Gold coins are the next most valuable. One half of a gold coin is worth ten silver coins, so it is worth twenty silver coins in total. Not much different from the yellowy metal in our world, gold coins are usually imprinted with the insignia of the kingdom they come from, making some gold coins (the ones who have less drastic of an imprint) slightly more valuable than others, but few people take notice of that. However, reminters will use it for their advantage to make slightly more money.

Silver coins are much more common than the aforementioned two. One silver coin is worth ten copper coins. These, in their abundance, lack the special imprinting of gold coins, and along with coppers are much more commonly used in trade. To give an idea of their value, two silver coins could buy a young, strong heifer, and ten would earn the purchaser a small but neat and sturdy cottage.

Copper coins are the least valuable of the various moneys, but they are also the most common and the most widespread. They are the dollars of Cheridith, and act as the base unit of currency. Since copper ore is so common, some people who are desperate enough will mine and mint their own coin, though the result is usually crude and rarely accepted beyond the bounds of the lower class.

Values in Copper Coins
Tanvite coin: 8000 copper coins - 200 mercenaries for a month (at a silver coin a week)

Gold coin: 200 copper coins - A well-built family home

Silver coin: 10 copper coins - A brace of egg-laying hens

Copper coin: 1 copper coin - An average meal