Using the Silver Standard

 

I use a silver standard in my game. I prefer to make gold valuable. Making gold the currency of nobles, merchants, and temples. 

Most game systems use the gold system and I found that it was less satisfying to get gold. I wanted it to mean something when a gold coin or item is found. Let's look at AD&D that system I started with; Copper. Silver. Electrum. Gold. Platinum. All their values were based off gold. 

200cp = 1gp. 20sp = 1gp. 2ep = 1gp. 1pp = 5gp. 

Why didn't I like the gold standard? Part of it was prices and most treasure was give in gold. It makes it common. Expected. It holds the 2nd highest value out of the coins. It doesn't take long before the party starts kicking the copper to the side, and soon after, the silver. Don't get me started on electrum. And yes, I know electrum was the actual standard coin back in the day. 

Anyway, I don't like the commonality of gold. I use a different type of money system. This system is heavily borrowed from Rob Conley, Mr. Bat in the Attic. He and I have campaigns that borrow heavily from one another. This is my silver standard. HSP are hard silver pieces in my game. STB are silver trading bars. GC are gold crowns. 

100cp = 1sp.
1sp = 1sp.
1 hsp = 20sp.
1gp = 100sp.
1stb = 200sp.
1 gc = 500sp.

I use the four basic coins like modern day currency. Copper pieces are pennies. Silver are dollars bills. Hard silver pieces is a 20 dollar bill. And a gold piece is a Franklin. I wasn't looking for historical accuracy, but I wanted the currency to reflect the scarcity and value gold holds in my world. 

I want the players to become excited when they see the glint of gold. 

I am developing another kingdom where other metals are valued. Another version of coins. Some similar values but some distinct differences. Other cultures value different things and one way to reflect that is in the currency. 

But that's it for now. Game on folks. I hope you roll better than me.