Money in the Nexus consists of the normal set of coins: copper coins (cp), silver coins (sp), gold coins (gp), and platinum pieces (pp). Like in our world, the people of the Nexus use a single denomination as the base, with the others being a fraction of that or a convenient larger denomination. Take US dollars for example - the base is the dollar. Cents are fractions of that dollar but there are also larger denominations such as the $10 bill.
In the Nexus, the base denomination is the silver coin. So, in the same way, someone in the US might say "a dollar 50" to mean $1 dollar and 50 pennies or "5, 25" to mean $5 dollars and 25 pennies, someone in the nexus might say "a silver and 2" to mean 1 sp and 2 cp or "10 and 3" to mean 10 sp and 3 cp or alternately 1gp and 3cp. Because the base is silver if something costs 100gp the price will be listed as 1,000 silver. Obviously anything less than 1 sp will have to be called out, such as "3 coppers".
To relate prices in the Nexus to our world, 2 coppers (2cp) is worth approximately $1 US dollar. Of course, the value fluctuates somewhat between regions and the relative value of goods is different (books being more expensive, for example) - so this is only approximate. So clearly a copper would not be the smallest denomination, that would be the "bit" - a copper coin split into 10 smaller pieces (worth about 5 cents each). So a "5 silvers and 22" would be 5sp + 2cp + 2bits. However, during gameplay, prices will be rounded up to the next highest copper so bits will not need to be tracked (in other words 5 silvers and 22 becomes 5 silvers and 3).
As per the SRD, the ratio of denominations is:
- 1sp = 10cp
- 1gp = 10sp
- 1pp = 100sp = 10gp
To solidify this, here is a price list for some common food items:
| Item |
Listed Cost |
Actual Cost |
| Bread, loaf |
,2 |
"2 coppers" (2cp) |
| Cheese, hunk |
1 |
"1 silver" (1sp) |
| Pitcher of Common Wine |
2,5 |
"2 silvers and 5" (2sp + 5cp) - In this case, you might say "here are 3 silvers, keep the change" - which would be a 5cp tip. |
| Bottle of Fine Wine |
100 |
"100 silvers" (100sp = 10gp = 1pp) |
Literacy
It is true that many people, even today, are not literate. Farmers, laborers, and similar trades have no need. However, there are some symbols that everyone is taught - numbers and what they mean in terms of coins. So the prices listed above would be shown as-is in even the most basic shop or tavern, though the items will often be shown as pictograms rather than words (i.e. a picture of a loaf of bread or a bottle of red liquid) or the price will be painted onto a small piece of wood that is placed next to the item in question.
Weight
The weight of coins add up, which is why the higher value denominations exist (gold and platinum). There are two important factors to the value of a coin - its materials (the metal and purity) and its weight. Official coins are often taken at face value, though foreign currency will usually be weighed and examined.
50 coins, of any denomination, weigh
1 pound. (This shouldn't come up much during play, but 500 bits weigh about 1 pound as well, though this is less precise. Bits are pretty small, being part of a normal coin). For reference, coins are roughly the size of US quarters and a bit heavier (the size varies based on the material but the weight is consistent).
Coins & Trust
Since the weight and purity are the true measures of a coin's value - there must be a way for merchants to trust and verify this value. Local powers will have a currency that is marked with their seal, symbol, or other markers. If the coins are from the local kingdom then people are more likely to trust the value. Similarly, if you are using a foreign coin or a mix, then merchants will want to test the coins - often adding an extra fee for the trouble - or may not take them at all. Fortunately, cities will have banks and smaller places like towns will often have "money changers." There, for a fee, they will take your foreign coin in exchange for the local currency (the fee is usually 1-10% depending on the amount). They will also exchange coins for larger or small denominations for a flat fee (usually 1 silver) - though they will probably charge extra for large orders, maybe even a percentage.
Coins & Image
It may be convenient to keep all of your money in gold or platinum coins (assuming you have that much) but if you are in a run-down, poor tavern, and are paying for drinks in gold - people will notice. Or if you are in a lavish, aristocratic club counting your coppers, that may blow your "pretending to be a noble" cover. And because it costs money to exchange coins, many poorer establishments won't even take platinum coins. If in doubt, paying in silver is usually a good choice.
