Coins

Gorean coins are not struck from machine-engraved dies,nor are they minted thru the usage of such devices as automated coin presses.Typically the Gorean coin is struck by hand.This is done in the following manner: the planchet,or coin-blank,is warmed,to soften the metal.It is then placed between the dies and the die cap is then struck with a hammer,simultaneously impressing designs on both sides of the coin.This technique enables Gorean coins,which are not designed to be stacked or rolled,to carry a design which is much deeper and intricately scuplted than a typical coin of modern Earth.

The average Gorean coin is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and about three-eighths of an inch thick.Designs vary depending upon the city where they are minted,though typically they will bear,upon one side,the likeness of the creature which they are named for;i.e. a tarn disk will display the image of a tarn,a tarsk disk will display the image of a tarsk,etc.The opposite side is often adorned with the symbol or seal of the coin's city or origin.

Copper Tarsk Bit
A copper coin worth from 1/4 to 1/10th of a copper tarsk,depending upon the original value of the coin and how that coin has been segmented.The usual number of tarsk-bits in a copper tarsk tends to be eight.When copper tarsks are struck,they are typically pre-segmented with deep grooves which enable a user to snap the coin into smaller pieces,like the wedges of a pie.Half of a standard copper tarsk would be therefore be worth "four bits" one-quarter of the whole coin,or one-half,would therefore be worth "two bits" and so on.This replicates a similar antique coining practice which existed on Earth.

Copper Tarsk Disk
A copper coin that is the whole coin of least value,equalling up to ten tarsk bits,though more typically,eight.The copper tarsks of Ar,for instance,are designed to be seperated into eight sections.

Copper Tarn Disk
A copper coin of slightly greater value than the copper tarsk disk.Once common in certain cities,now widely discontinued due to a move toward standardization of Gorean coinage to emulate that of the city of Ar,which most probably no longer uses it.

Silver Tarsk Disk
The primary silver coin in use upon Gor,worth 100 copper tarsks.The silver tarsk is probably the single most-used denomination of Gorean coinage,owing to its medial value.

Silver Stater
In use in several Gorean cities,notably Brundisium and Argentum.It is probably roughly equivalent in value to a standard Gorean silver tarsk disk.

Gold Tarn Disk
A common unit of currency,with a rather high monetary value owing to the metal from which it is made,and worth 10 silver tarsks.It is also minted in double weight;as described below. Several cities mint their own gold tarn disks,but the Gorean standard is typically the gold tarn disk of Ar,which is highly valued for its consistant quality and purity.

Gold Stater
In common usage in the city of Brundisium,and presumably elsewhere.The gold stater of Brundisium is known to be of excellent quality and good weight,and is probably of slighter higher value than a traditional gold tarn disk.

Double Weight Gold Tarn Disk
A gold tarn disk,minted at double thickness to be twice the weight of a standard gold tarn disk.It is otherwise similar to gold tarn disk in all respects,and is,due to its increased weight and bullion value,the highest denomination of coinage in use upon Gor.

The Gorean Monetary Draft
Gorean often make use of paper "monetary drafts" or "promisary notes" which may be drawn on the various banking institutions and money-lenders against the credit of the draftee.The Caste of Merchants and especially the Caste of Money-Lenders oversees all such practices,typically from the city money-house which reside on the Street of Coins,which is traditionally the name for the financial districts of most Gorean cities.

Gem Stones
In addition to metal based currency,there is a lively Gorean trade based upon the mining,cutting and polishing of precious and semi-precious gem stones of the Counter-Earth,though the value of such items is entirely rarity in various parts of Gor,and when they are set into jewelry,the quality and composition of their fixtures and settings.

The sapphires of Schendi,for instance,are widely prized thru-out all of Gor and are even used as a limited form of currency upon occassion.Then there are the sereem diamonds, a transparent mineral which is precious because of its rarity;they are red with flecks of white.

Money Exchange

double tarn = one tarn

one tarn = 10 silver tarsk

silver tarsk = 100 copper tarsks

copper tarsk = 8 tarsk bits