02 - Iron Kingdoms W.. - Captain Spud Is Amazing

108.1.141.197
66 Iron Kingdoms
The elves take the integrity of their currency and
commerce very seriously, and they mint coins only after
careful deliberation. Each Iosan coin is made from
several layers of precious metals with one in highest
concentration (such as gold for a nyos coin). They
drill a hole in the center of each coin and fill it with
a glass bead tinted with a harmonious color—blue for
silver coins, red for gold, and smoky white or gray for
platinum. Peering at a light source through the bead
reveals several characters of the Shyr alphabet that
confirm the denomination and date of minting. The
metal coin is elaborately engraved with abstract patterns
and various phrases in Shyr listing the date of minting,
current ruling houses, and a prayer to Scyrah. Although
certainly more than aesthetic, these decorations
make Iosan currency some of the most elaborate and
beautiful coins in western Immoren.
Conversion Rates
These coins rarely appear outside the borders of
Ios and do not circulate except within that kingdom.
Most elves with business in the human kingdoms use
precious metals or gems to purchase local currency.
Because of their unique nature Iosan coins are highly
valued by humans, particularly those interested in
elven artwork or other curiosities. These coins often
command several times their actual value, even from
those who do not specialize in such things.
Rhulic Coinage
The following coins are in use in Rhul:
Uhl 1 silver
Gul 1 gold
Dugul 1 platinum
The dwarves mint all their currency from gold
in three standard-sized coins (from the small uhls to
large duguls). The Rhulfolk find the proliferation of
coins among the human kingdoms quite irksome,
as the deceptively simple coins of Rhul possess an
amazingly consistent size and weight. The dwarves
have a secret minting process, and a special office
overseen by the Moot ensures absolute accuracy. There
are specially engineered scales utilized in testing their
coins that can measure differences in weight to the
hair. They also have a technique for scoring curious
markings along the edges of their coins which makes
counterfeiting difficult. All Rhulic coinage bears the
names of the Great Fathers on one side and the face of
Ghrd—Great Father of Wealth—on the other. Below
Ghrd’s face is an old phrase that translates roughly as,
“A curse upon he who would put this coin to ill ends,
yet may it be doubled if put to good use.”
Conversion Rates
Slightly heavier in weight than the human standard,
guls are accepted in the human kingdoms except the
Protectorate where dwarven trade and all goods of
Rhulic make are banned. They exchange at more or
less full value anywhere else the dwarves trade, except
in some stubborn areas of Khador where they receive
anywhere from 80 to 95 percent value. Most human
traders are less familiar with uhls or duguls, but
duguls are usually accepted regardless (this is a thick
and heavy gold coin!) and estimated worth can be
anywhere from 7 to 9 standard weights per coin. The
dwarves do recognize other precious metals as valuable
and trade in both silver and platinum when dealing
with other kingdoms, but they most commonly use
bars or ingots for these metals instead of coins. Rhulic
coins are impossible to “shave” (see “Counterfeiting”
below) because of the ridges on the edges of the coins.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to distinguish a shaved
coin from a worn one. Merchants of other kingdoms
are might accept smooth edges on coins more than
two decades old, but Rhulic merchants will not accept
them. The Moot’s officers who oversee the minting of
Rhulic coin will exchange new coins for worn coins at
75 percent of their value.
Cryxian CurrenCy
historiCally, lord toruk’s island kingdom has not minted
its oWn Coin, and most of its inhabitants utilize a motley
assortment of mainlander Coins that have made their Way
to Cryx through illiCit trade or in pirate holds. barter,
subjeCt to fierCe negotiations, remains the primary means
of CommerCe in a land Where little standard value exists
betWeen merChants. otherWise, Coins from all aCross Western
immoren exChange hands here With a similar laCk of speCifiC
standards. generally, Weight of Coin and type of metal are
the only important Considerations. toWns dealing With
Cryxian traders suCh as five fingers have groWn aCCustomed
to their habits of using a motley assortment of CurrenCy.
the priesthood of lord toruk mints a very small amount
of “dragonCoin”—small, blaCkened gold Coins With a faCe
value Considerably higher than the value of their metal by
Weight. only the priesthood and servitors of the dragon
use dragonCoin With any regularity, and their use ensures