Coinage and Trade Currencies

Trade Bars - different sovereign states mint trade bars for moving large values of money. Based on old Imperial banking practices that the Dwarves and Humans still agree to follow, when pressed into legal trade bars, the assumed value is 60gp per pound.

Imperial Trade Bars - minted in 3" x 5" x 12" ingots, stamped by government, pure metals.

Copper Trade Bars (5.17 oz per cubic inches, 180 in³ , 60lbs) (36gp)
Silver Trade Bars (6.06 oz per cubic inch, 180 in³ , 70lbs) (420gp)
Gold Trade Bars (11.1 oz per cubic inch, 180 in³ , 125lbs) (7500gp)

Skaran Trade Bars - minted in 3" x 5" x 6" ingots, stamped by government, pure metals.

Copper Trade Bars (5.17 oz per cubic inches, 90 in³ , 30lbs) (18gp)
Silver Trade Bars (6.06 oz per cubic inch, 90 in³ , 35lbs) (210gp)
Gold Trade Bars (11.1 oz per cubic inch, 90 in³ , 65lbs) (3900gp)

Halogan Trade Rods - minted in 3" diameter x 8" length rods, rod has unique pattern and stamped on one end, pure metals.

Copper Trade Rods (5.17 oz per cubic inches, 56 in³ , 18lbs) (11gp)
Silver Trade Rods (6.06 oz per cubic inch, 56 in³ , 21lbs) (126gp)
Gold Trade Rods (11.1 oz per cubic inch, 56 in³ , 39lbs) (2340gp)

Dwarven Mint Trade Bullion - minting sizes are different per metal and denomination. Minted in Hul-thanes and stamped with the thane's seal, pure metals.

Short Copper Bullion - minted in 6" x 2" x 0.5" bars - (5.17 oz per cubic inch, 6 in³ , 2lb) (1gp, 2sp)
Long Copper Bullion - minted in 8" x 2" x 2" bars - (5.17 oz per cubic inch, 31 in³ , 10lbs) (6gp)
Silver Bullion - minted in 9" x 4" x 1.5" bars - (6.06 oz per cubic inch, 53 in³ , 20lbs) (120gp)
Gold Bullion - minted in 5" x 1" x 0.5" bars - (11.1 oz per cubic inch, 3 in³ , 2lbs) (120gp)
Short Platinum Bullion - minted in 4" x 0.5" x 0.25" bars - (12.4 oz per cubic inch, 0.5 in³ , 6.4oz) (240gp)
Long Platinum Bullion - minted in 8" x 1.25" x 0.25" bars - (12.4 oz per cubic inch, 2.5 in³ , 2lbs) (1200gp)

Imperial, Skaran, Halogan, Dwarven Coins - minted alloy coins, around 80% pure, thus a pound of coins not worth a pound of metal if melted.

A coin weighs 0.4 ounces, thus 40 coins weighs a pound.
Main difference is the metal used to cut the coin, and thus the final appearance of the coin beyond the stamp.
Forgeries are possible, but the exact mix percentages are guarded secrets by the respective coinage guilds and authorities, and the stamps are restricted; Dwarven coinage is far more difficult to forge due to the complexity of their coinage alloys.
In the current age, only Imperial and Dwarven mints strike platinum pieces.
- Imperial coinage is alloyed with indium:
  - Imperial turqs (blue-green coppers)
  - Imperial ceruleans (bluish silvers)
  - Imperial azures (gold which is sapphire in color)
  - Imperial zaffers (platinum with a dark blue sheen)
- Skaran coinage is alloyed with tin:
  - Skaran bronzes (regular coppers)
  - Skaran sterlings (regular silvers)
  - Skaran crowns (regular golds)
- Halogan coinage is alloyed with nickel:
  - Melichors (an almost silvery coin with copper shine)
  - Argentans (very shiny silvers)
  - Aurums (white gold coins)
- Dwarven coinage is alloyed with various metals and compounds, depending on the denomination; coins have a common mark (denomination) and a Hul-mark:
  - Dwarven bells (dusky bronze, alloyed with tin, phosphorus, and traces of silver and gold)
  - Dwarven hammers (dusky silver, alloyed with alkali sulfates and traces of gold and copper)
  - Dwarven steels (grey gold, almost like steel, alloyed with manganese and traces of silver and copper)
  - Dwarven kites (strikingly shiny platinums, alloyed with gallium, germanium, tin, zinc, and traces of silver, silicon, and copper)

Gems

various precious and semi-precious stones can also be used as currency. Must be bartered with jeweler and banker guilds. Refer to pg 134 of the Dungeon Masters Guide for the value of most regular gems; regular gems are about a quarter-inch in diameter (would be around 2 carat weight), and thus, about 1000 gems of this size weigh around one pound and take up a space of about 3 cubic inches (roughly a decent pouch). Unusual size or cuts influence value.

Pre-Imperial Currencies

Coinage for defunct Human kingdoms or from collapsed Dwarven thanes still likely has value, either for its historic significance or the value of the metals it was struck from. Some research will be necessary to determine the composition if someone wishes to melt the coins down for their precious metals; a smith with knowledge of coinage and precious metals (likely a member of a bankers guild) will be needed.

Coinage / Trade Bars from One Realm in Another

Bankers guilds and other merchants are suspicious of trade bars from other regions - verification will be required before transactions of large magnitude can take place. Dwarven bullion is used through Vandalmál without much issue, as are Dwarven coins.

Imperial money is harder to move in Hrim, as are Skaran and Halogan coins in the Empire. Given the current state of peace, local bankers guilds will often exchange the money into trade bars or local currencies for a fee.

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