The heavy burden of money

[DWARF]

Most merhcant guilds I run are totally willing to write out guild notes (basically paper money). But only allied guilds would accept the notes, so you have to be careful who you're doing business with.

 

[Mark]

Sure I've seen this thread before, at least I think it was on ENWorld..
I have a list of how much various containers will carry, I'll try and post it tonight...

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http://www.enworld.org/messageboards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4929

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[hong]

On an old 2E money download I have, a coin collector estimated that a gold piece should realistically weigh 240=1 pound. He based it on english silver pieces, of which 50 back then could buy the 'longsword.' Gold coins IIRC were tiny anyway. The Italians made tiny 24k ones that looked like the size of quarter or so.

The thing is that fantasy notions of what constitutes "treasure" are influenced more by Tolkien's descriptions of Smaug's hoard (and similar sources), rather than historical accounts of medieval European treasuries. Lots of tiny little coins that are individually worth a great deal may be realistic, but it sure isn't as vivid or compelling as mountains of gold.

 

[Kichwas]

Gems and jewelry are easy to carry, but the exchange rates aren't standardized.

PS

The practice does have historical precidence though.

It's the best way to store and save wealth and in a way you can 'aqrue interest' with jewelry if the value goes up over time. Which it will with well made pieces, pieces by renowned artists, or pieces which aquire historical signifigance.


My PCs always convert their money to gemstone or jewels.

Even if the conversion isn't full, it's worth it as a money management technique.