The Currency of Darokin

Darokin’s official coinage system is relatively new. Following the Second Great Merchant’s Council in 934 AC, the many competing Great Merchant Houses finally settled on a standardized currency. This new standard conveniently adopted the same system used in Ylaruam and the Savage Coast regions, simplifying trade across borders.

Coin Design and Variations

• Standardized Reverse: Early standardized coins featured the issuing merchant leader’s portrait on the obverse side, but a standard depiction of scales (similar to the Asterius of Thyation origin) on the reverse.
• Modern Depictions: More contemporary coins often display the minting merchant house’s coat of arms instead of the scales.
• “Half” Versions: Some houses mint special “half” versions of the Tentrid and Poydem coins. These are typically released during the Great Reckoning period as a form of public advertising for the merchant family.

Pre-Standardization Coins

Before 934 AC, merchant houses minted their own coins with differing standards. Many of these older coins are still found in circulation today, especially in Alfheim.

Rare Coins of Darokin

Older, pre-standardization coins vary widely:

• Gold and Silver: These are primarily treated as bullion. Major merchant houses typically trade them in to be reminted into modern currency.
• Billon and Electrum: These are difficult to assess due to varying degrees of debasement by different houses over time.
• “Buttons” (Common Ancient Coins): The most common ancient coins are colloquially known as “buttons.” Made of cheaply cold-struck copper and bronze, their crude appearance resembles buttons more than coins. Many are actually flattened and repurposed for use as jewelry or actual clothing buttons.