Money and Coins

Common coins come in several denominations based on the relative worth of the metal they are made from. The three most common types are the gold piece (gp), the silver piece (sp), and the copper piece (cp). A standard coin weighs about a third of an ounce, meaning fifty coins collectively weigh a pound.

 

The cost of living

A single gold piece can purchase items like a bedroll, 50 feet of good rope, or a goat. A skilled artisan, who is not exceptional, can earn one gold piece a day. One gold piece is equivalent to ten silver pieces, the most common coin among the general populace. A silver piece can buy half a day's work from a laborer, a flask of lamp oil, or a night’s stay in a modest inn. Each silver piece is worth ten copper pieces, which are frequently used by laborers and beggars. A single copper piece is enough to buy a candle, a torch, or a piece of chalk.

 

Standard Exchange Rates

Coin	CP	SP	EP	GP	PP
Copper (cp)	1	1/10	1/50	1/100	1/1,000
Silver (sp)	10	1	1/5	1/10	1/100
Electrum (ep)	50	5	1	1/2	1/20
Gold (gp)	100	10	2	1	1/10
Platinum (pp)	1,000	100	20	10	1

 

The Gold Standard

The gold piece is the standard measure of wealth, even though it is not commonly used in everyday transactions. When dealing with transactions involving hundreds or thousands of gold pieces, merchants typically do not exchange individual coins. Instead, the gold piece acts as a measure of value, and the actual exchange happens through gold bars, letters of credit, or valuable goods.

 

Unusual coins

In addition to these, there are unusual coins made of other precious metals that sometimes appear in treasure hoards. The electrum piece (ep) and the platinum piece (pp) are remnants of fallen empires and lost kingdoms, and they often provoke suspicion and skepticism in transactions. An electrum piece is valued at five silver pieces, and a platinum piece is worth ten gold pieces.

 

Selling Treasure

 

Opportunities

Opportunities abound to find treasure, equipment, weapons, armor, and more in the dungeons you explore! Normally, you can sell your treasures and trinkets when you return to a town or other settlement, provided that you can find buyers and merchants interested in your loot.  

Arms, Armor, and Other Equipment

As a general rule, undamaged weapons, armor, and other equipment fetch half their cost when sold in a market. Weapons and armor used by monsters are rarely in good enough condition to sell.  

Magic Items

Selling magic items is problematic. Finding someone to buy a potion or a scroll isn’t too hard, but other items are out of the realm of most but the wealthiest nobles. Likewise, aside from a few common magic items, you won’t normally come across magic items or spells to purchase. The value of magic is far beyond simple gold and should always be treated as such.  

Gems, Jewelry, and Art Objects

These items retain their full value in the marketplace, and you can either trade them in for coin or use them as currency for other transactions. For exceptionally valuable treasures, the GM might require you to find a buyer in a large town or larger community first.  

Trade Goods

On the borderlands, many people conduct transactions through barter. Like gems and art objects, trade goods—bars of iron, bags of salt, livestock, and so on—retain their full value in the market and can be used as currency.