As the Arcish Empire crumbled and was replaced by the Protectorate, its economy was radically altered to move away from the gold standard and to instead use the "immutable" value of Arcish citizenship as the basis for its new currency, the Levat. Quickly after the change over Arc leveraged its power to install the levat as the standard trading currency for several different high demand trade commodities (ie grain, silk, spices, precious gems, etc.) therefore guaranteeing that the levat retained its value even in countries that were opposed to the city of Arc.
A single Levat note represents a considerable amount of money, more money than most lower class citizens might see in a lifetime. It is for this reason that the city has a standardized range of smaller denomination coins that sees the lion's share of use within the city.
Standard Currency
The Levat:
The Basis of the Entire Arcish economy, it’s a promissory note backed by the value of the Arcish citizenship. The most common iteration is the single Levat note, but there are 20 Levat, 50 Levat, and even 100 Levat notes in circulation as well.
The Azureen Solano, or the “Solano”:
A small sized coin made of electrum (a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver), the image of the Azure Chamber is pressed on one side and the city arms on the other.
160 Solanos = 1 Levat.
The Vanner Ducat, or the “Silver Vanner”:
A medium sized sterling silver coin that is the mainstay currency for most everyday purchases within Arc. One face is pressed with an image of the three sisters and the other with the city’s arms.
14 Vanners = 1 Solano. 2,240 Vanners = 1 Levat.
The Rialto, also known as a “Debtor’s Penny”:
A small copper alloy coin that sees the most use within the middle and lower classes of the city. One face is pressed with an image of the Oboline and the other with the city’s arms.
20 Rialto = 1 Vanner. 280 Rialto = 1 Solano. 44,800 Rialto = 1 Levat.
Other Currency
The Bronze Round and Two, or the “Bronze Round”:
A roughly minted nine sided bronze token with a sailor’s knot stamped on one face and a simple four pointed star on the reverse. This coin is minted and used by the Nine Ports Brotherhood and its affiliates within the dockyards of every major settlement throughout the Greater Arc Sea.
It is a debt marker that has a value roughly equal to that of Vanner Ducat. The token is accepted in place of the local currency in select establishments at every port, and the Brotherhood pays off the tab at the end of the week. The brotherhood uses the Bronze Round mainly to pay sailors on shore leave, so that their sailors don't have to waste time exchanging currencies at every port when on shortened shore leave. Dockworkers and other affiliated parties have also been known to accept the Bronze Round as payment for services rendered, as it is usually seen as a way of ingratiating oneself with the brotherhood.
The Starridat:
The Starridat is a large coin minted of pure 24 carat gold. On one face is stamped the profile of Jorei Starrander, and on the reverse is an image of an Arakamian lamp. This coin does not see use anywhere in Arc outside of the inner city, and is in truth more of a status symbol than a true form of currency. Circulation of the Starridat is highly restricted and controlled by a secret council within the Azure Chamber, and it is a crime to possess a Starridat if you are not on the official register. Those few people who are on the register are known as “The Enlightened”. The only way to join this register is to be sponsored by a member of “The Enlightened” and approved by the secret council. The Starridat is used as an entry fee for only the most elite establishments throughout the inner city, such as Gentleman’s clubs, restaurants, inns, brothels, bathhouses, gaming parlours, fencing schools, etc.
The Torrean Prince:
A Large coin made of pure silver and lead minted privately by the House Torres. Its annual production is limited to a single small batch of coins minted each year and is redeemable as long as Arc stands. On one face of the coins is the profile of the current head of House Torres, and on the reverse is the coat of arms of the family.
4 Princes = 1 Levat.
| Currency |
Levat |
Azureen
Solano |
Vanner
Ducat |
Rialto |
| Levat |
1 |
160 |
2,240 |
44,800 |
| Azureen
Solano |
1/160 |
1 |
14 |
280 |
| Vanner
Ducat |
1/2,240 |
1/14 |
1 |
20 |
| Rialto |
1/44,800 |
1/280 |
1/20 |
1 |
Comments