Coinage: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Original D&D—“Basic” through ''Rules Cyclopedia''—coins have an ''encumbrance'' of ∼{{ | Original D&D—“Basic” through ''Rules Cyclopedia''—coins have an ''encumbrance'' of ∼{{frac|10}} pound each. | ||
More specifically, ''encumbrance'' (enc.) is a combination of the weight and clumsiness of gear measured in coin-weight equivalents (cn), where {{unit|cn|1}} equals approximately {{frac|10}} of a pound in weight and awkwardness. For example, a {{unit|lb | More specifically, ''encumbrance'' (enc.) is a combination of the weight and clumsiness of gear measured in coin-weight equivalents (cn), where {{unit|cn|1}} equals approximately {{frac|10}} of a pound in weight and awkwardness. For example, a {{unit|lb|1|2}} wineskin filled with a quart of water/wine ({{unit|lb|2|v=~}}), would only ''weigh'' {{unit|cn|25|v=~}}, but has a total enc. of {{unit|cn|30}}. | ||
==Other units== | ==Other units== | ||
A d20/D&D mile ({{unit|miD}}) is {{unit|feet|6,000}}, and thus apparently a fantasy equivalent to the | A d20/D&D mile ({{unit|miD}}) is {{unit|feet|6,000}}, and thus apparently a fantasy equivalent to the {{unit|foot|6,076|v=~~}} nautical mile rather than the {{unit|foot|5,280}} land mile. | ||
A nautical mile ({{unit|miN}}) is one minute of latitude ({{unit| | A nautical mile ({{unit|miN}}) is one minute of latitude ({{frac|60}}{{unit|deg|1}}), making Earth’s meridional circumference {{unit|miN|21,600}}. Since Earth is not a perfect sphere, the actual length of a minute of latitude varies between {{unit|m|1,813}} and {{unit|m|1,861}} with a ''de jure'' average of {{unit|m|1,852}} ({{unit|ft|6076.12|v=~~}}). | ||
The original intent for the meter was to be one ten-millionth of 90° of latitude, making Earth’s m.circ. {{unit|km|40,000}}. The best measurements at the time were slightly off and Earth’s actual m.circ. is | The original intent for the meter was to be one ten-millionth of 90° of latitude, making Earth’s m.circ. {{unit|km|40,000}}. The best measurements at the time were slightly off and Earth’s actual m.circ. is {{unit|km|40,003|v=~~}}. | ||
From this one can extrapolate that a standard D&D fantasy world could be: | From this one can extrapolate that a standard D&D fantasy world could be: | ||
Revision as of 22:03, 5 June 2018
A standard [d20] coin weighs about a third of an ounce, so fifty coins weigh a pound.
| Coin | cp | sp | ep | gp | pp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (cp) | 1 | 1⁄10 | 1⁄50 | 1⁄100 | 1⁄1000 |
| Silver (sp) | 10 | 1 | 1⁄5 | 1⁄10 | 1⁄100 |
| Electrum (ep) | 50 | 5 | 1 | 1⁄2 | 1⁄20 |
| Gold (gp) | 100 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1⁄10 |
| Platinum (pp) | 1000 | 100 | 20 | 10 | 1 |
Background
Original D&D—“Basic” through Rules Cyclopedia—coins have an encumbrance of ∼1⁄10 pound each.
More specifically, encumbrance (enc.) is a combination of the weight and clumsiness of gear measured in coin-weight equivalents (cn), where 1 𝖼𝗇 equals approximately 1⁄10 of a pound in weight and awkwardness. For example, a 1⁄2 lb wineskin filled with a quart of water/wine (∼ 2 lb), would only weigh ∼ 25 𝖼𝗇, but has a total enc. of 30 𝖼𝗇.
Other units
A d20/D&D mile (𝗆𝗂𝖣) is 6,000 feet, and thus apparently a fantasy equivalent to the ≈ 6,076-foot nautical mile rather than the 5,280-foot land mile.
A nautical mile (𝖭𝗆𝗂) is one minute of latitude (1⁄601°), making Earth’s meridional circumference 21,600 𝖭𝗆𝗂. Since Earth is not a perfect sphere, the actual length of a minute of latitude varies between 1,813 𝗆 and 1,861 𝗆 with a de jure average of 1,852 𝗆 (≈ 6076.12-ft).
The original intent for the meter was to be one ten-millionth of 90° of latitude, making Earth’s m.circ. 40,000 ㎞. The best measurements at the time were slightly off and Earth’s actual m.circ. is ≈ 40,003 ㎞.
From this one can extrapolate that a standard D&D fantasy world could be:
- a 21,600 𝖭𝗆𝗂 ≈ 40,003 ㎞ m.circ. spheroid like Earth,
- a 21,600 𝗆𝗂𝖣 ≈ 39,502 ㎞ m.circ. spheroid with 2½% less surface area than Earth, or
- a 21,600 𝗆𝗂𝖣 = 40,000 ㎞ m.circ. sphere with D&D feet/inches etc. 1¼% longer than standard feet/inches.