What is a postfest? Basically, its an attempt on a discussion list devoted to a roleplaying setting, like the Spelljammer list, to generate new lore for the setting by encouraging all the list members to contribute a short post. A theme is provided, and some simple guidelines. Generally, the postfest lasts as long as folks post to it, and then, hopefully, some kind soul compiles all the posts into a pdf that can be downloaded for GMs to share.
I got the idea from the 'Plus One Postfest' that Eric Boyd suggested which ran on the Realms list. That postfest produced 28 entries providing interesting names and histories for either a +1 weapon, +1 shield, or +1 armor. I particularly liked that the nature of that postfest made the results extremely useful for both AD&D and 3rd Edition GMs!
We've had something similar on the SJ list for SJ art items that produced a lot of entries.
Now, those who've been on the list recall my earlier 'Challenges' which eventually petered out. They suffered, eventually, from a lack of entries and my own inability to keep up with running them properly. The beauty of the postfest is, it runs til interest dies, and there is no real maintenance required. Plus, anyone can start one. The Unique SJ Challenges weren't a failure, they generated over one hundred entries all now listed on Beyond the Moons, but I think this postfest idea may be a good way to continue that tradition. :)
Each has the following information to maximize value of the entry.
Origin of the Mint Description of the Coins Frequency of Occurence in Space Notes
Coins systems can describe the coinage systems of homegrown realms, or official TSR/WOTC campaigns.
Submitted by: Paul Westermeyer
Origin of the Mint: The Arcane.
Description of the Coins:
Each of these bars is a 3" x 1.3" x 1.3" rectangle stamped with the symbol of a three petaled flower. They are usually worth 1,000 gp each in Spelljammer-aware ports.
Frequency of Occurence in Space: Arcane Trade Bars are fairly common in space.
Notes:
Because they offer a portable mode of wealth, many adventurers who find large hoards go to an Arcane and have their wealth changed into these bars (the arcane charge a 5% fee, which is a hefty income considering the large amounts involved. On Bral they can also be purchased from the Royal Exchequer and they are usually used as the mode of payment when large sums are exchanged and a paper "credit" exchange is unwise or impractical.
Shopkeepers and most common goods merchants can't accept them, of course, as they are too large to easily make change, and so the Arcane and other moneychangers make a nice profit changing such bars down to smaller currency as well.
Submitted by: Paul Westermeyer
Origin of the Mint: The Guarded Gate national mint, located in the center of the capital city of Ordulin in Sembia. Sembia is located in Faerun on the planet Toril in Realmspace.
Description of the Coins:
Sembia mints gold, electrum, silver, and iron coins. The values are generally standard, but Sembian iron pieces are valued at 1 cp in Sembia and elsewhere in Faerun, but are less then half a copper in Wildpsace.
Sembian coins have distinctive shapes: Gold pieces - five sided (often called 'nobles') Electrum pieces - diamond shaped Silver pieces - triangular (often called 'ravens') Iron pieces - square
All Sembian coins are stamped with the Raven and Silver (a raven with wings outstretched above five silver coins) arms of Sembia on one side, and the date of the minting on the obverse beneath the face of Rauthauvyr the Raven, founder of Sembia. Sembia was founded in 913 Dale Reckoning (4595 OC), so all Sembian coins bear a date after that.
Sembia does not mint platinum coins but instead mints silver/copper trade bars in 5 gp, 10 gp, 25 gp, and 50 gp denominations. Each trade bar is stamped with the Sembian arms and the minting date.
Frequency of Occurence in Space:
Sembian coins are the most common coins in Realmspace. Elsewhere in Wildspace Sembian coins are uncommon, but not rare.
Notes:
Sembia is one of the great merchant kingdoms of the Forgotten Realms. See _Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting_ boxed set, 'A Grand Tour of the Realms', pages 26-27 and page 58. Also _Forgotten Realms Adventures_ pages 96-97.
Submitted by: Dreamer
Origin of the Mint: Royal Iridian Mint Description of the coins:
Iridan mints gold, silver and copper coins, of very nearly pure metal. But, these are larger than conventional coins, and are often found broken into tenths, often called 'bits', or 'pieces', which typically have the same value as conventional gold (etc.) pieces of the same metal.
These coins are the conventional short cylinder shape, marked with a royal face on one side, and dragon head in profile on the other side, the symbol of Iridan, with the name of the royal, and a date, since the founding of Iridan, about a thousand years ago. These coins are not milled.
The people of Iridan have a strange attitude to coinage, and almost all (95%) have what seems to be almost a magical talent to assess the weight and quality of a handful of whatever coin metal. Some claim this is an ancient dragon blessing or curse, depending on who you ask. This means no royal or noble has got very far with adulterating the quality of the metal. Also, a piece of raw metal, of the right quality and weight, without any care as to its shape, is often treated as freely exchangeable for proper coin, or bits of coin.
This means that the Iridians can be very rude about coinage from other lands, the quality of which can vary a lot, but their coinage is widely used and accepted, even in lands that don't know where Iridan is.
Frequency of Occurance in Space:
Iridan would appear to be a groundling nation, on some obscure world in a not well known sphere. While people can't tell you much about it, they are happy to accept it's coinage, when it turns up, which is rare. Supposedly it is a great trading nation.
Notes:
Iridan is a country in a home-brew campaign, run since the 1970s. The people of Iridan are not spelljammers, but their coinage seems to get to a lot of places.
Submitted by: Adam "Night Druid" Miller
Origin of the Mint: The wovlyn kingdoms on the planet Ethwuld of Twilitespace in the Maelstrom mint these coins. In the cities of Odburg and Volva City, in the kingdoms of Rulengar and Volva, respectively, are heavily protective mints that are the sources of these coins.
Description of the Coins:
The wovlyn clans mint copper, silver, gold, and platinum coins. The value of these coins falls into the standards for like coins elsewhere. The heads-side of the coin depicts the crest of the kingdom where it was minted. For Rulengar, this is a two-headed dragon, while for Volva's crest is a rearing horse. On the tails-side is an every-day commodity. The wovlyn tend to think of themselves as down-to-earth people and this is reflected in their coins. The tail-mints are as follows: Copper: A loaf of bread Silver: A mug of frosty ale Gold: A sword held high Platinum: A horse on the horizon
Frequency of Occurrence in Space: As the wovlyn kingdoms have increased their trade with wildspace cultures, these coins have spread throughout the Maelstrom and beyond. They are most common on the planet Ethwuld, uncommon in the Maelstrom, and very rare in the rest of wildspace.
Notes:
The wovlyn people encompass the kingdoms of Aramon, Lefton, the many Baronies and Duchies of Rulengar, and Volva. They dominate the Middle Kingdoms of Ethwuld, at the juncture of three continents.
Submitted By: Adam "Night Druid" Miller
Origin of the Mint: The secret of producing moonbrights is an elven secret, although some dwarves have also uncovered the secret and have minted their own coins. Dwarven coins are identical, except they have marks and crests of dwarven rulers rather than elves. What is known about the process is that it involves mining silver from certain moons and enchanting them with a bit of magic and a lot of skill. Description of the Coin:
This rare variant of the silver piece is usually minted by the Elven Nations. A moonbright appears as a plain silver coin, without mint nor markings. Under the right lighting conditions (usually moonlight), shining white runes will appear on both sides of the silver piece, denoting the origin and era of the coin. One side will bear the mark of an elven ruler, while the other bears the ruler's royal crest. The runes are about as bright as a candle and can be used as a light source in a pinch.
Frequency of Occurrence in Space: These coins are rare and usually used for transactions between elven nobility.
Notes:
Moonbrights vary greatly in value, depending on the age and rarity of the coin. The Elven Fleet has a standard moonbright that carries a value of 5 gp. A few years ago a moonbright auctioned for 10,000 gp. It is said to have dated back to the days of Ardeep on Toril.
Rarely, some moonbrights contain riddles and clues to forgotten treasures in the runes they display. On enterprising elven wizard is known to have printed spells on a handful of these coins, to be used as a backup spellbook.
The proper elven term for these coins is Telepisil, literally "Silver of the Moon".
Submitted by: David Shepheard
Origin of the Mint: The Church of Tymora, on Toril, Realmspace
Description of the Coins:
These coins feature the face of Tymora, a smiling lady, surrounded by shamrocks. The reverse of the coin is identical. The edge of the coin features a wide milling. The workmanship on the coins is of very high quality and the coins always appear to be in mint condition. The coins are not intended to be used as money. They are actually miniature representations of Tymora's holy symbol (a silver coin) and are intended to be carried by worshipers of Tymora.
Frequency of Occurrence in Space:
As they are not legal tender and have not been minted in large quantities, the coins are very rare, even in Realmspace. Collectors are most likely to obtain them on Toril itself and should search for them in Cormyr, the Dragon Coast, Impiltur, Sembia and the Vast, where Tymora worship is most common.
Notes:
These coins are dismissed as standard silver pieces by those who do not know what they are, but a follower of Tymora will pay 25 silver pieces for these coins that carry the blessing of Lady Luck.
The coins were originally created to be turned into magical items and are of master-crafted quality. Not all the coins were enchanted and only a few of the coins still carry their enchantment. Those that do grant the power of good fortune to Tymora worshipers. (This power allows any worshiper possessing a coin to reroll one roll that they have just made. They must take the new result even if it is worse than the old one. The coin works once, after which it looses its power and becomes a non magical coin.)
Because they are double-headed coins the coins occasionally attract the attention of con artists who call "heads I win tails you win" and then pull out a Tymoran silver piece. It is rumored that these coins swap places with a nearby silver coin if this is tried in Realmspace or any other crystal sphere where Tymora has a stronghold.
Tymora is one of the deities in the Faerunian Pantheon. See "Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting" (3e) hardback page 253. See "The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook" (2e) page 103-104 for information about establishing clerical strongholds.
Submitted by: David Shepheard
Origin of the Mint: The Church of Waukeen, on Toril, Realmspace
Description of the Coins:
These coins feature the face of a Waukeen. Her profile looks to the left on the front of the coin, but to the right on the back of the coin. The edge of the coin features areas of milling interspaced with blank areas. The workmanship on the coins is of very high quality and the coins always appear to be in mint condition. The coins are not intended to be used as money. They are actually miniature representations of Waukeen's holy symbol (a silver coin) and are intended to be carried by worshipers of Waukeen.
Frequency of Occurrence in Space:
As they are not legal tender and have not been minted in large quantities, the coins are very rare, even in Realmspace. Collectors are most likely to obtain them on Toril itself and should search for them in Amn, Chessenta, Cormyr, Impiltur, Sembia, Tashalar, Thesk and the Vast, where Waukeen worship is most common.
Notes:
These coins are dismissed as standard gold pieces by those who do not know what they are, but a follower of Waukeen will pay 25 gold pieces for these coins that carry the blessing of the Merchant's Friend.
The coins were originally created to be turned into magical items and are of master-crafted quality. Not all the coins were enchanted and only a few of the coins still carry their enchantment. Those that do grant the power of sound financial judgement to Waukeen worshipers. (This power grants any worshiper possessing a coin a +20 bonus to one Appraise check. The coin works once, after which it looses its power and becomes a non magical coin.)
Because these coins are marked with a the symbol of a deity of trade, they are known by traders in spheres close to Realmspace and often make their way back towards worshipers and temples of Waukeen. If trying to impress worshipers or clerics of Waukeen by paying with these coins care should be taken to hand them over with the correct side of the coin (the one with Waukeen's profile facing left) upwards as it shows that you are familiar with their holy symbol.
Waukeen is one of the deities in the Faerunian Pantheon. See "Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting" (3e) hardback pages 255-256.
Submitted by: Alexander James
Origin of the Mint: Each dwarven delve on Luna, the moon of Terra, third planet of the Midgard sphere
Description of the Coins:
1) the Mark: A standard silver coin deeply stamped on both sides with a rune denoting 'whealth' in the local tongue, a mint mark strategically placed on the obverse, dated on reverse. The edge is rounded. Worth 1gp locally during the year of minting, beyond that time frame or in a different province/nation foreign exchange rates apply.
2)the Strike: Also standard silver coin, but stamped on one side only with the rune denoting 'pay' or 'earnings', the mint mark, and the date. The reverse is smooth and unworked, like the edge. Worth 1sp locally, similar to the Mark.
3)the Cut: A weighed lump of silver, especially when formed into a coin-like shape. Worth 1cp locally.
4)the Mint: A 10lb trade bar of silver bearing the same markings as the Mark, dated below the rune. Worth 1,000gp moon-wide for a decade. Also available in 15lb 2,000gp, 30lb 5,000gp, and square 50lb 10,000 gp sizes, all bearing exactly the same markings.
Proof copies made of mithral are occasionally exported as novelty items, auctioning for anything above ten times their standard value.
Frequency of Occurrence in Space: Rare even in the Midgard sphere, just plain strange in the canon worlds and anywhere not familiar with the Edge. Mint trade bars are merely uncommon in Midgard, and very rare in far-off systems (for a trade bar of such value that is). Mithral proofs, however, can be found in the hands of collectors almost anywhere in known space.
Notes:
In space all denominations of coins are often treated simply as silver pieces, unless found by numismatists ( a.k.a. coin collectors). The Mint trade bars are valued at one-twentieth of their value in nearby spheres, but are also traded as bullion.
Due to the sulphurous nature of the Lunan surface it is rare to find any coin that is not tarnished, and the coins are very often corroded by local custom to keep the markings visible (hence the one-year limit on legal tender).
Submitted by: Adam "Night Druid" Miller
Origin of the Mint: There is much dispute as to the exact origin of the Hierocoins. The Ptahans claim that it was given to them by their god. In the Maelstrom, sages claim that the Hierocoins were invented by the Crux Empire, thousands of years prior to the first use of these coins by the Ptahans. The point may be moot, since Crux fell centuries ago and coins from that empire are rare, while Ptahan versions are much more common. The Ptahans have a secret forge, quite possibly a reclaimed dwarven citadel, where they mint these coins in enormous numbers.
Description of the Coins:
A hierocoin is a small ingot-shaped coin about the size of a regular coin. On one side is the marking of a god, and on the other is a hieroglyph of the date the coin was minted. Ptahan coins are always marked with the symbol of Ptah. Hierocoins are always gold and usually worth about one gold piece. There are rare varieties that carry a value of five or ten gold pieces, which are much larger coins. Cruxan coins are much the same, except they are older and more worn.
Frequency of Occurrence in Space: Hierocoins are commonly buried as funeral goods with high-ranking priests and nobles. Through tomb-raiding and grave-robbing these coins have entered the general market, although this is frowned upon by priests of Ptah. In some ports, especially where Ptahans hold sway, hierocoins can be confiscated and the possessor imprisoned for suspected tomb robbing.
Because of the wide-spread nature of the Crux Empire before it fell, hierocoins are still very common in the Maelstrom. Many have been melted down for their gold content but more are found in tombs throughout the former empire.
Notes:
It is likely that the deity Ptah was the source of the hierocoin idea, giving it first to the Crux Empire and then to the Ptahans after the Crux fell to ruin.
Submitted by: Adam "Night Druid" Miller
Origin of the Mint: Centuries ago, several wildspace-based trading companies adopted a standard system of coinage for trading with one another. The trading companies commissioned the dwarven citadel Samryn'xunder to craft the coins in great quantities. The citadel, which changes spheres from time to time, is the source of all Wildspace Trader Coins.
Description of the Coins:
Trader Coins are minted in copper, silver, gold, electrum, and platinum standards. For each precious metal mint, there are one, two, and five-piece standards. That is, some coins are minted either twice as heavy as or five times heavier than the standard one-piece coin. One side of the coin is minted with the number value of the coin (1, 2, or 5) and phrases such as "Fortune awaits the Bold" and "Render onto the Arcane what is the Arcane's" in dwarvish runes. On the opposite side is a relief image, the image depending on the type of coin. The images are as follows:
Frequency of Occurrence in Space: Wildspace Trader Coins are quite common in wildspace. They have been used for centuries as payroll for various trading companies, and through those sailors and officers have made their way into general use in ports across the Known Spheres. Most ports accept Trader Coins at their face value.
Notes:
Trading companies that are known to use the Trader Coins include the Smith's Coaster, the Sindiath Line, and numerous other companies based in the Rock of Bral and elsewhere.
Hands off! That Shiny is mine!
Oft spoken phrase aboard many a goblin and orc ship, just before a riot begins.
Submitted by: Adam "Night Druid" Miller
Origin of the Mint: Goblin shines were commonly created by goblin kings as a "reward" for their strongest and most loyal followers. The special properties of these coins helped them keep control over their hordes by keeping them at each other's throats, and through the special properties of the coins (see Notes below). No other race is known to have crafted these coins, and indeed, most do not even know what they were made out of. Some darkly whisper that the secret of making these coins was actually devised by the elves to put goblin clans at each other's throats.
Description of the Coins:
These coins are usually rather plain, sometimes with a crude animal on one side and some lettering on the other. The lettering is of the language of the goblins, and often with a phrase or two about dark lords and the rule of wildspace. A shiny appears much like a silver piece, but never tarnishes nor dulls. Coins that are thousands of years old look as if they were minted yesterday.
Frequency of Occurrence in Space: Goblin Shines were rare in goblin circles before the Unhuman Wars, and were largely taken out of circulation after the war. It is believed that the Elven Fleet has a large cache of these coins hidden away somewhere. These coins still pop up from time to time, usually as gifts or payments by powerful individuals to underlings who they want to use the power on to control. In almost all cases, no more than 1d10 of these coins will ever be found in one place.
Notes:
The material that was used to manufacture these coins is a special type of silver that has unusual properties. Under candlelight or other low-light conditions, it creates a dazzling display of shining lights. If a person stares at one of these coins for more than one minute, he must save vs. spell or be hypnotized as per the 1st level wizard spell Hypnotism.
The source of the metal used to make these coins is unknown, but the translated name is called Shine-silver. Elves have named the metal Arifis.
Submitted by: Adam "Night Druid" Miller
Origin of the Mint: As surprising as it may be, individual Reigar sometimes commission their own coins be crafted. They devised it as a novel means of spreading their fame across the spheres. As they do not like repetitive artwork, most Reigar simply hire a third-party to mint the coins after they have crafted a suitable mold. At least a dozen Reigar have commissioned their own set of coins in the past. The latest Reigar to venture into minting a set of Vanities is Lumennci von Thuuven, the Mad Composer. Coins with his likeness are starting to appear all over the Known Spheres, a sure sign of another of his insane schemes to increase his already considerable fame.
Description of the Coins:
Each Reigar creates his own particular mold of coins. With few exceptions, these coins will be of gold or platinum mints of the highest quality. A typical example of this coin has a profile-relief of a particular Reigar on one side, and on the other a list of titles or accomplishments. Often there is a bit of magic added to the coins, be it a magic mouth that boastfully proclaims the deeds of the Reigar who commissioned the coin to other, more subtle magic.
Thuuven's personal Vanities are large ovals about three times the size of a standard gold piece. The face has a profile-relief with his name at the bottom in Common text. On the back is a sonant from one of Thuuven's symphonies. When Thuuven's name is spoken while the coin is held, the holder hears the sonant being played, although no one else can hear the music. The coin is worth 500 gp due to the magic involved.
Frequency of Occurrence in Space: Reigar Vanities are very rare across the Known Spheres, due mostly to their low numbers. It is rare to find more than one at a time. Even the wealthiest Reigar can only commission a few thousand of these coins, and when spread across the Spheres, they become very rare indeed. Sometimes they are individually numbered as a means to make each one unique.
Notes:
The value of an individual Reigar Vanity can be anywhere from 10 gp to 1,000 gp or more. If the Reigar artist is dead, the value is generally at least double what it would be for a living Reigar, for like all artists, they are only truly appreciated after they are dead. Not surprisingly, some Reigar fake their own deaths as a means of increasing the value of their art, including their Vanities.
Customers need to be wary of counterfeit Vanities as well. Some less scrupulous individuals will create cheap knock-offs and pass them off as the real thing to unsuspecting customers. Reigar are oddly silent on the matter. While such counterfeits can cause the value of their own coins to be diminished slightly, the counterfeits do increase the Reigar's own personal fame, which is the true intention of the Vanities.
Submitted by: Paul Westermeyer
Origin of the Mint: The city of Rauxes on Oerth in Greyspace
Description of the Coins: There are five coin types, which follow the standard AD&D monetary values. Platinum Orb: a rectangular, flat disc with the image of the Orb of Rax on both sides. Gold Ivid: a circular coin with a milled edge, bearing the face of Ivid V on one side and the staff, orb and crown of the overking on the reverse. Electrum Noble, Silver Penny, Copper Common: these are all circular coins without milled edges, bearing the heraldic symbol of the Great Kingdom on one side and that of the House of Naelax on the other.
Frequency of Occurence in Space: These coins are fairly common in space, especially within Greyspace.
Notes:
The Great Kingdom was the major political entity of Oerth for centuries. See Carl Sargent, From the Ashes boxed Set. TSR #1064 (c) 1992. See also Ivid the Undying available in various places for free download.
Submitted by: Paul Westermeyer
Origin of the Mint: The planet Ginsel in Greyspace
Description of the Coins: These coins follow the standard AD&D monetary system: Copper, Silver, Electrum, Gold, and Platinum. They most commonly come from the Ginsel nations of Yendoril, Gord, or Costepen, and depict one of the rulers of the nation of origin on their 'heads' face. On the reverse face they depict the source nation's heraldic device superimposed on an image of the crescent planet's image.
Frequency of Occurence in Space: Ginsel is a mercantile planet, and these coins are fairly common in space, especially within Greyspace.
Notes:
More information on Ginsel can be found on pages 49-50 of Nigel Findley, SJR6 Greyspace. TSR# 9374 (c) 1992.
Submitted by: Paul Westermeyer
Origin of the Mint: The city of Greyhawk on the planet Oerth in Greyspace
Description of the Coins: There are six types of these coins: bronze zee, copper common, silver noble, electrum lucky, gold orb, and platinum plate. 4 Bronze Zees = 1 Cpper Common; 20 Copper Commons = 1 Silver Noble, 10 Silver Nobles = 1 Gold Orb, 2 Electrum Luckies = 1 Gold Orb, and 5 Gold Orbs = 1 Platinum Plate. On one face each coins displays a profile of Zagig's face and the year of the mint, on the other each displays the coat of arms of Greyhawk City.
Frequency of Occurence in Space: These coins are fairly common in space, especially within Greyspace.
Notes:
More information on these coins can be found in the after word of Gary Gygax's novel, Saga of the Old City. The coin values are derived from the 1st Edition AD&D Players Handbook.
Submitted by: Paul Westermeyer
Origin of the Mint: The nation of Shou Lung on the planet Toril in Realmspace.
Description of the Coins: Copper coins are the most common form of coinage. There are 2 types, the Fen and the Yuan. The Fen is lowest in value, while the Yuan, is next in value, equal to 5 Fen. Each coin is pierced through the center, which can be used to string them together, to form 'coin strings', usually in 50 and 100 lots.
Next in line is a Ch'ao. This is a paper note. One Ch'ao is equal to 100 Fen or 20 Yuan. Ch'ao come in various amounts - one, ten, twenty, and a hundred notes being the most common. Ch'ao, because they are easier to handle, are preferred when dealing in amounts of 100 fen or greater. Ch'ao are only accepted by moneychangers with access to Shou traders.
Silver is minted in 2 forms. The Tael and Ch'ien. The Tael is a coin much like the Fen, pierced through the center. One Tael is equal to 100 fen, 20 yuan or one chao. The Ch'ien is minted as a small bar or miniature ingot, equal to 10 tael, or 1000 fen. Ch'ien are rarely used in everyday transactions since they can be awkward to carry. They are often hoarded for times when the value of copper and paper money fails.
So, 5 Fen = 1 Yuan, 20 Yuan = 1 Tael, 10 Tael = 1 Ch'ien.
Forign exchange rates..
Going the otherway...
Frequency of Occurence in Space: These coins are common in space, especially within Realmspace.
Notes:
The previous is taken from the Economy section of the Oriental Adventures book.
Submitted by: Paul Westermeyer
Origin of the Mint: The Netherese enclaves of Karsus, Ioulaum, and Delia on the planet Toril in Realmspace.
Description of the Coins: Each of the pyramid-shaped coins of Netheril had a magical essence incorporated into their design which made it possible to determine real coins from counterfeits. Acting like a prism, a three-dimensional image of a flying city above a forested landscape could be seen on the reverse of the coin. The front of the coin had a bust rendition of Nether the Elder, with the minting year at the bottom center and the words E Magicus Unum along the top. Under the left side of the bust, a letter designated the place of minting ("D" for Delia, "I" for Ioulaum, and "K" for Karsus).
Otherwise Netherese coins follow the standard system, Copper, Silver, Electrum, Gold, and Platinum. There magical enchantment makes them somewhat valuable to collectors, so that the coins are usually valued one step higher than their face value (Copper = silver, silver = electrum, and so forth).
Frequency of Occurence in Space: These coins are somewhat rare in space and are usually found in old treasure troves in Realmspace.
Notes: Found in Netheril: Empire of Magic Boxed set pg 103.
Submitted by: Paul Westermeyer
Origin of the Mint: All are the standard AD&D coinage of copper (cp), silver (sp), electrum (ep), gold (gp), and platinum (pp) pieces, but they set themselves apart by their shapes and designs. Myth Drannan coins are oblong with a stamped design at their centers. The majority of the money is standard weight, round coins stamped with a sling, an overflowing, tankard, or a halfling head in profile (cp); two crossed axes, a trio of gems, or a helmed dwarf in profile (sp); two clashing short swords, a smoking pipe, or a bespectacled gnome in profile (ep); two crossed spears, a pile of scrolls, or a human wizardess in profile (gp); and two clashing long swords, a star surmounted by a pair of clasped hands of friendship, or an elf female in profile (pp).
While there is no difference in stamped coin types in precious metals or their weight, there were social connotations that have grown and become involved in the use of particular coins. The first coins mentioned under each metal are weapons; used mostly by tradesmen and commoners, these coins were symbols of the fight for peace (to those who like N'Tel'Quess) or as a symbol of a threat of punishment the buyer makes against the seller (to those who dislike N'Tel'Quess). The second coins are all what elves saw as 'representative boons of the race'; used mostly among the nobility and the royals, they were neutral in meaning but have a prestige in their use, due to lesser mintings of this type of coin. The final coins are simply stamped with a member of each race in profile and these were extremely rare, as only 1,000 of each were made in the first years of Myth Drannor. They were discontinued as the still-tentative races saw their value in Elves' eyes stamped before them in the relative worth of the coins; their rarity makes their worth more than 100 times their trade weight.
Cormanthyr's coinage is the same trade weight as other coins, though they are slightly thicker, in a square shape, and they have diamond-shaped holes in each Coin's center with points centering along the coin's edges. Each is named specifically, and on the face of each coin are four identical moon elven runes to identify the coin's name (allowing those robbed of sight the ability to discern coins): thalvers (t; cp), bedoars (b; sp) thammarchs (th; ep), shilmaers (sh; gp), and ruendils (r; pp). These are common due to their widespread use as military script for all elven akh'velahrn and akh'faern, and they have become the common trade currency between elven communities. Unnoticed by most nonelves, small dots and dashes can be scored into the center edges of the coin's inner hole, and this tactile language communicates secrets between those who know how to read this elven code-dialect.
Frequency of Occurence in Space: These coins are somewhat uncommon in space and are often found in old treasure troves in Realmspace.
Notes: Found in Cormanthyr: Empire of Elves (C)1998 pg63
A table to randomize treasure finds:
d% Roll
01% Ethwulden, Wovlyn Coins (1-2 copper, 3-5 silver, 6-9 gold, 10 platinum)
02% Silver Piece, Moonbright ('Telepisil')
03% Tymoran Silver Coins
04% Waukeenian Gold Coins
05-09% Arcane Platinum Trade Bars
10-19% Sembian coins
01-20% Sembian Gold piece (often called 'nobles')
21-30% Sembian Electrum piece
31-40% Sembian Silver pieces (often called 'ravens')
41-50% Sembian Iron pieces
51-60% Sembian Trade Bar, 5 gp denomination
61-80% Sembian Trade Bar, 10 gp denomination
81-90% Sembian Trade Bar, 25 gp denomination
91-100% Sembian Trade Bar, 50 gp denomination
20-49% Wildspace Trader Coins (Type: 1-2 copper, 3-4 silver, 5-6 gold, 7-8
electrum, 9-10 platinum. Value of the coin (1, 2, or 5))
50-51% Coins of the Great Kingdom (Type: 1-2 copper, 3-4 silver, 5-6 gold, 7-8
electrum, 9-10 platinum)
52-57% Ginsel Coins (Type: 1-2 copper, 3-4 silver, 5-6 gold, 7-8 electrum,
9-10 platinum)
58-62% Greyhawks (Type: 1-2 Bronze Zees, 3-4 Copper Commons, 5-6
Silver Nobles,
7-8 Gold Orbs, 9-10 Electrum Luckies, 11-12 Platinum Plates)
63-68% Shou Coins (Type: 1-2 Fen, 3-4 Yuan, 5-6 Tael, 7-8 Ch'ien)
69% Netherese Coins (Type: 1-2 copper, 3-4 silver, 5-6 gold, 7-8 electrum,
9-10 platinum)
70-72% Faerunian Elven Coins, Myth Drannan (Type: 1-2 copper, 3-4 silver, 5-6
gold, 7-8 electrum, 9-10 platinum)
73-76% Faerunian Elven Coins, Cormanthan (Type: 1-2 copper, 3-4 silver, 5-6
gold, 7-8 electrum, 9-10 platinum)
77-80% Iridian Coinage (1-3 gold, 4-6 silver, 7-8 copper)
81% Lunan silver Marks
82-85% Ptahan (Cruxan) Hierocoins
86% Goblin Shiny
87% Reigar Vanity Coin
88-00% Roll Again or GM Choice
