Much of
Ikune is dominated by a single currency system: That of the
Ni'rral Empire. Having reigned over a major part of Ikune until their decline, their currency has found its way to all corners of the region, even as the
Idran Tribes eschew these for bartering instead. Even the
Dulinri find themselves dealing with the empire's currency when dealing with foreigners and
Drissau has found use in adopting the currency for trade as well, even as they rarely use it internally when they can avoid doing so.
The coins are minted with unique presses authorized by the current emperor to be given to trusted guilds within the empire's territories, with the minting of false coins being considered treason with harsh penalties if one were to be caught. One side of a coin will always display the Emperor at the time of minting, which often helps indicate how old a given coin is, with the oldest sometimes carrying more value with their rarity than one would otherwise think.
There are three primary type of coins that circulate within the empire, with the occasional one-off mints in periods where the empire has been low on resources, but eventually they always went back to the three main ones:
Golden Crowns
Reserved for the elite and affluent, the golden crowns are the pinnacle of wealth within the empire. Adorned with intricate designs and fashioned from gold, these coins symbolize opulence and prestige in spite of their relative softness compared to the other coins, with those in pristine conditions being yet another sign of ones wealth. Commoners may catch fleeting glimpses of the crowns in the hands of the wealthy, but its true domain lies in the halls of the empire's aristocracy. These coins are named for the most common image depicted on their opposite side: The Emperor's crown.
Silver Thrones
Embraced by urban centers and bustling markets, the thrones serve as the lifeblood of commerce. Its lustrous surface, forged from silver, bears witness to countless transactions within the city's streets. However beyond the confines of urban life, its presence quickly diminishes. These coins are named for the most common image depicted on their opposite side: The Emperor's throne.
Copper Crests
Anchoring the Empire's economy with resilience, the crests stands as a testament to the enduring strength of the realm. Seen in both urban life and rural hamlets, these coins facilitate everyday transactions among the empire's population. These coins are named for the most common image depicted on their opposite side: The Imperial Crest.
