Currency

AGand has three major forms of Currency Ire, small coin, and vex. As well as two systems of trade.   Trade Systems. are mostly for small scale operations, like that of rural towns, and for bulk trading of items in major cities.

In Gand there are three forms of currency; small coin, ire and vex. Each has its own role in society and its own uses.  

Smallcoin

Small coin once was the only form of currency that could be used for goods and services, its a rudimentary ceramic token made from clay that has flattened into a disc, stamped with the kings seal and fired. They were cheap to produce en mass and easy to source due to a wealh of clay deposits found in the mountainous ranges. Small coins however could be broken rendering them useless or easily imitated. With the re-opening of the Elven cities and the consequent creation of the @Elven trade network. Trade became more wide spread and accessible. Creating a need for more standardised coins with a higher value that can counteract inflation. The coins were re-named to smallcoin- denoting their lower value and has been in the process of being phased out of circulation. Smallcoin and really only be used to trade at trading posts and in some rural areas, the @major cities will mostly not accept them at all. Some more lucrative individuals from @rakside may opt to trade in smallcoin as it is harder to track and easier to smuggle. It takes twelve smallcoin equal to the new currency of Ire.  

Ire

To better serve need needs of the people ire was created. Ire was introduced as a higher value currency that trades for more and is able to keep pace with inflation. This is due to the explosion of widespread trade. Ire coins are fashioned from brass and stamped with the King’s coat of arms and given a serial number They are flat and diamond-shaped with teeth along the edges. Ire coins are easier to store and are lighter than smallcoin allowing for easier travel, due to its serial number it is also harder to counterfeit. Citizens of Gand also have the ability to exchange their small coins for ire, as it is being pulled out of circulation.   Since it’s introduction Ire has become the most widespread currency and is used by people from all statuses and all corners of the country. Ire coins were designed with the traveller in mind. They are flat coins with a hole through the centre that are commonly threaded onto ropes and belts as a means of carrying them. Due to this new fashion trends have also been appearing in which young women sew ire coins onto their fine dresses as a display of wealth, some even use this as a sign or courtship. In response to this there is are groups of thieves who aim to cut and pocket these coins. Due to the teeth on an ire coin they are able to be interlocked in a specific pattern and create a structure called an ‘ire star’ this requires ten coins to form and is useful to count large sums quickly.  

Vex

The final currency is vex, which is a new and exclusive coin that is solely traded between the wealthiest of upper society. There is a lot of push to keep vex away from the common person and only in the hands of the noble, who seek to keep the currency exclusive. Vex unlike ire and small coins does not have a standardised value and frequently the value of the coin can change with what is being purchased and who the parties are. A single vex could be worth anywhere between 100-400 ire. No one not of nobility would be willing to trade with vex and very few if any merchants would be willing to trade their goods and services for vex. Vex is the only currency that does not have the seal of the king or the royal coat of arms, in fact it is completely blank save for a border around the edges of the coin and a small engraved serial number. Vex are safeguarded from counterfitters as the process to make a vex is technically complicated and time-intensive. They are cut into an intricate star-shape from an unseeming silver metal. This metal is then treated through a process of anodising with a sponge, creating a surface of beautiful marbled colours in blue, purple, orange and green.