Coinage Postfest!

What is a postfest?  Basically, its an attempt on a discussion list
devoted to a roleplaying setting, like the Spelljammer list, to
generate new lore for the setting by encouraging all the list members
to contribute a short post.  A theme is provided, and some simple
guidelines.  Generally, the postfest lasts as long as folks post to
it, and then, hopefully, some kind soul compiles all the posts into a
pdf that can be downloaded for GMs to share.

I got the idea from the 'Plus One Postfest' that Eric Boyd suggested
which ran on the Realms list last year.  That postfest produced 28
entries providing interesting names and histories for either a +1
weapon, +1 shield, or +1 armor.  I particularly liked that the nature
of that postfest  made the results extremely useful for both AD&D and
3rd Edition GMs!

We've had something similar on the SJ list for SJ art items that
produced a lot of entries.

Now, those who've been on the list recall my earlier 'Challenges'
which eventually petered out.  They suffered, eventually, from a lack
of entries and my own inability to keep up with running them
properly.  The beauty of the postfest is, it runs til interest dies,
and there is no real maintenance required. Plus, anyone can start
one. The Unique SJ Challenges weren't a failure, they generated  over
one hundred entries all now listed on Beyond the Moons, but I think
this postfest idea may be a good way to continue that tradition. :)

So, for the first postfest I suggest we do coinage!  Many, perhaps
most Spelljammer treasure hoards should have many different types of
exotic coins.  GMs could ignore that, and just discuss generic 'gold
pieces', 'silver pieces', ect.  That often works, but placing certain
types of coins in a treasure trove can provide great flavor, and also
it can provide clues players can pursue towards additional
adventures.  Why is this illithid vessel carrying so much coinage
from the Great Kingdom of Oerth? Did they capture a Great Kingdom
vessel? Or is this a sign of an illithid Alliance with the Malachite
throne?

The biggest obstacle to using coins this way is that Spelljammer coin
systems are not detailed, and the systems of established worlds like
Toril or Oerth are scattered throughout many different source books
and difficult to find and use.  So, I propose we start a post fest of
different coinage systems.

Posts should be short, but if each has the following information it
would maximize the value of the posts.

Orgin of the Mint
Description of the coins
Frequency of Occurence in Space
Notes

Coins systems can describe the coinage systems of homegrown realms,
or official TSR/WOTC campaigns, just try not to repeat what a
previous poster has posted.

I'll kick off with a post or two of my own after this one.  Remember,
use 'Coinage Postfest' in the title so it is easy for us all to keep
track of the entries:)


--
"...How shall a man judge what to do in such times?!"
"As he has ever judged," said Aragorn "Good and evil have not changed
since yesteryear..."
J.R.R. Tolkien, _The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers_

Paul Westermeyer,  westermeyer@????????.net