1 penny is the lowest denomination of coinage
2 penny = 1 pence
1 pence is what we would consider a copper piece
12 pence = 1 shilling
1 shilling is approximately 1 silver
10 shilling = 1 crown
1 crown is what we would approximately consider a gold piece
100 crowns = 1 dragon
This system is loosely based on our own historic coinage system in England to give a more “authentic” feel to the world of Westra.
Here are some feelings on the value of the coin:
1 meal costs about 1 to 2 pennies.
1 commoner makes about 1 to 2 pence in a day.
A merchantman makes approximately 2 shillings in a day.
An iron sword costs approximately 2 crowns.
A steel sword costs approximately 12 crowns.
A noble would have something like 2 dragons worth of coin in his pocket. A noble family would have several thousand dragons in their holdings.
Here are approximate comparisons to our own system of money, accounting for the depreciated value of the penny:
Westra currency = Our currency
1 penny = $3.00 (buy you a happy meal)
1 pence = $6.00 (yes, commoners make approximately only $12.00/day; they are impoverished by today’s standards)
1 shilling = $72.00 (a luxurious meal for 2 people)
1 crown = $720.00 (most of the monthy rent)
1 dragon = $72,000.00 (yearly salary for a computer programmer at IBM)
House Talbert, arguably the richest house in Westra (at least publically) has (according the their accountants) 500,000 dragons (= $36,000,000,000!) in their coffers (their spendable holdings).
House Dragonfell is 100,000 dragons (= $7,200,000,000) in debt to various houses (including House Talbert and House Alrgoth).
House Conrath, who has the largest income (from taxes) due to the greatest number of people, collects about 300,000 shillings (= $21,600,000) in taxes bi-yearly. This amounts to commoners paying approximately 1 shilling (= $72.00) during a 6 month period in taxes. It usually takes about a month of work for a commoner to make this money.
House Tellman, a minor House, has approximately 1,000 dragons (= $72,000,000) for their spendable holdings.
Maid Beatrice Tellman has about 10 dragons (= $720,000) of “spending money” with her at Dragonfell. She receives approximately 1 dragon (= $72,000) every month from her father to “live comfortably”.
Ser Brandon Stonewall, as first in line to inherit House Stonewall, has 500 dragons (= $36,000,000) in his personal coffers.
Baron Jaden Conrath, as third in line to inherit House Conrath, has 70 dragons (= $5,040,000) in his personal cofferes.