Coinage

The currency of the Sallesian realms is issued and controlled by the gods of commerce and wealth as part of the aid given to the mortal kin over the course of the Keres period to help build international peace. This is because, much like with the creation of the common language, the standardization of currency allowed trade and travel between nations to flourish but perhaps more importantly was that it removed control of systems of wealth from the hands of mortals who would abuse that power over it. Of course not all such control was or even could have been removed from the hands of the kin but the more direct influence of gods such as Plutus or Hermes and the responsibilities given to them by Salles has done much to curtail some of the more extreme cases.
The Sallesian currency is separated in to four main units of coinage:

• The lowest denomination is the lepton, also known as the "copper piece". Anything worth less than a singular copper would usually be given freely by another member of one's community and as such there is almost never a need for splitting leptons or petty barter.
• Ten leptons are of equal value to the obol or "silver piece". An obol is used for most day to day expenses of commoners and also serves a role in the funerary rights of the average kin. The obol is placed under the tongue of the deceased so that they may carry it with them into the underworld and pay Charon's toll and be ferried across the Acheron into Hades.
• Ten obols are of equal value to the drachma, also called the "gold piece". This is the currency of nobility, merchants, and adventurers. The drachma occupies a similar place to the obol in funerary rights as the souls of the wealthy and of heroes are far heavier than those of the common folk and as such are issued a higher toll by Charon. In the case of nobles, this weight is said to come from a combination of the lifestyle of luxury they live while their subjects struggle and the weight of decisions that come with leadership. As for adventurers it can be both the aforementioned truths but also the density of their natural energies that far surpass the average soul.
• Lastly, ten drachma are of equal value to a plutum, or "platinum piece". This is the highest denomination and sees use almost exclusively by the hands of heroes, nations, and the wealthiest of merchants. Despite the greater value, it is rare that an Ionian true dragon will choose platinum over gold unless they are particularly devote worshipper of Bahamut. This implies there is either something special about gold or something unfavourable about platinum.

Finally there is an ancient currency not overseen by the gods that still sees use in some of the less official circles of this world. This currency is known as electrum and generally is considered to be the equivalent of 5 obols. While electrum coins do exist and can often be found in pre-Sallesian ruins, the Allied Union requests any electrum found be exchanged at the nearest AUGMENT guild hall as possession of it is both illegal in most nations belonging to the Allied Union and makes you a target for those circles who still make use of the coin.

Item type

Currency & Deeds