Money and Currency
Money and Coinage System
Although a character has impressive abilities and skills, they require equipment for adventuring. Money is needed not only to outfit the character but also to cover living expenses.
There are many different types of coins and currencies in the world, but all prices and treasures in the AD&D rules are given in standard coinage. Your DM may have specific names for different coins and different rates of exchange particular to their campaign.
Standard Coinage
The standard monetary system consists of several types of coins with fixed exchange rates.
Basic Coins
Copper Piece (cp)
One of the backbone coins of the monetary system, frequently found in the hands of common folk.
Silver Piece (sp)
One of the backbone coins of the monetary system, frequently found in the hands of common folk.
Gold Piece (gp)
A much rarer coin seldom found in common use, mainly exists on paper as the standard money of account. Used to measure the value of property and goods. Land values, ship cargoes, gemstones, and penalty bonds (royal court fines) are normally calculated in gold pieces.
Unusual Coins
Electrum Piece (ep)
An unusual metal used in exchange, typically from failed currencies. Viewed with skepticism by many honest folk. Rarely circulated and mostly hidden in ancient treasure hoards.
Platinum Piece (pp)
An unusual metal used in exchange, typically from failed currencies. Viewed with skepticism by many honest folk. Rarely circulated and mostly hidden in ancient treasure hoards.
Standard Exchange Rates
| Coin | CP | SP | EP | GP | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Piece (CP) | 1 | 1/10 | 1/50 | 1/100 | 1/500 |
| Silver Piece (SP) | 10 | 1 | 1/5 | 1/10 | 1/50 |
| Electrum Piece (EP) | 50 | 5 | 1 | 1/2 | 1/10 |
| Gold Piece (GP) | 100 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1/5 |
| Platinum Piece (PP) | 500 | 50 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
Wealth Considerations
Alternate Forms of Wealth
- Land
- Livestock
- Right to collect taxes or customs
- Jewelry
Value Variations
- Coins have no guaranteed value
- A gold piece can buy a lot in a small village but won't go far in a large city
- Jewelry can be a way of carrying wealth (silver armbands, golden brooches)
- Wealth and riches may take many different forms in adventures
Campaign Factors
- Political situations can affect coin values (warring nations may refuse each other's coins)
- Money changers might convert foreign coins with a commission (10-30%)
- Economic changes can occur (characters introducing too much gold can cause inflation)
- Scarcity can affect prices (a lord commandeering horses would make remaining ones more expensive)
Starting Money
All player characters begin with some amount of cash. This nest egg may be your character's life savings. It may be a gift from his parents to start him out in the world. It may be his booty from an army campaign. Perhaps he stumbled across a small treasure chest, whetting his appetite for greater and more dangerous prizes. How he came by his money is not important (although it may be fun to know). You are free to create any explanation you want.
To learn your character's starting funds, roll the dice indicated for his group in Table 43. This is the number of gold pieces your character has to obtain equipment. If you are creating a character starting out at a level above 1st level, check with the DM to see if you can increase your character's funds beyond the amounts given here.
Multi-class characters use the most advantageous die range of their classes.
Priest characters can use their money only to purchase equipment and goods. Once all purchases are made, the priest character must return all but two or three of his remaining gold pieces to his superiors (since his equipment is supplied by his organization). Priests cannot lend any of their initial funds to other characters.
Initial Character Funds
| Character Group | Die Range | Special Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Warrior | 5d4 x 10 gp | |
| Wizard | (1d4+1) x 10 gp | |
| Rogue | 2d6 x 10 gp | |
| Priest | 3d6 x 10 gp | Priest characters can use their money only to purchase equipment and goods. Once all purchases are made, the priest character must return all but two or three of their remaining gold pieces to their superiors (since their equipment is supplied by their organization). Priests cannot lend any of their initial funds to other characters. |