Anthologica Universe Atlas / Forums / Department of Creativity / Money Thread / <!>Money Thread (2019-03-18 21:26:58)
...Of course, I say that, and then promptly discover those particular sources are somewhat crap. Still, the idea stands?
Here's an example of early Lilitic currency (with yet another new script!), a 58 mm × 23 mm × 8.3 mm metal bar (similar to a slip of gold-pressed Latinum, really.) As I've mentioned in the distant, foggy past, the Lilitai back their money directly with labour, and issue a single denomination, typically worth a day's work. These are called viglai (sg. vigla, literally "promise") and are issued by the individual who will carry out the work. The bars are cast in an alloy of lead, antimony, and tin at a central mint. The designs are made using a personal coin mold, and include the issuer's name; the molds also generally function as a sort of signet ring, or even an ink stamp, that can be worn as a pendant.
The vigla market is almost uniquely variable, and in many ways resembles a bond market. The viglai of the famous are highly prized, but so too are the viglai of the highly industrious and reliable; failing to honour an agreement paid for with vigla has obvious and serious consequences for the issuer's social credit rating. However, as viglai can always be bought back and taken out of circulation, there is also an obvious imperative to minimize risk by only issuing money in one's name when necessary—otherwise, one's rivals or enemies may end up with the power to make uncomfortable (but not unreasonable) requests.
Much has been made of defining what can fairly be asked of the issuer when redeeming a vigla, and there many laws, taboos, and etiquette pertaining to the subject. On more than one occasion, an individual's credit rating has emerged unscathed after refusing work because it was sought in bad faith, or by a pariah.
Here's an example of early Lilitic currency (with yet another new script!), a 58 mm × 23 mm × 8.3 mm metal bar (similar to a slip of gold-pressed Latinum, really.) As I've mentioned in the distant, foggy past, the Lilitai back their money directly with labour, and issue a single denomination, typically worth a day's work. These are called viglai (sg. vigla, literally "promise") and are issued by the individual who will carry out the work. The bars are cast in an alloy of lead, antimony, and tin at a central mint. The designs are made using a personal coin mold, and include the issuer's name; the molds also generally function as a sort of signet ring, or even an ink stamp, that can be worn as a pendant.
The vigla market is almost uniquely variable, and in many ways resembles a bond market. The viglai of the famous are highly prized, but so too are the viglai of the highly industrious and reliable; failing to honour an agreement paid for with vigla has obvious and serious consequences for the issuer's social credit rating. However, as viglai can always be bought back and taken out of circulation, there is also an obvious imperative to minimize risk by only issuing money in one's name when necessary—otherwise, one's rivals or enemies may end up with the power to make uncomfortable (but not unreasonable) requests.
Much has been made of defining what can fairly be asked of the issuer when redeeming a vigla, and there many laws, taboos, and etiquette pertaining to the subject. On more than one occasion, an individual's credit rating has emerged unscathed after refusing work because it was sought in bad faith, or by a pariah.