Difference between revisions of "Parallar"
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The most notable fact about the Parallar is the complete absence of paper money or banknotes, being instead entirely denominated in 12 types of coins, ranging in value from [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''0.05''' to [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''500'''. | The most notable fact about the Parallar is the complete absence of paper money or banknotes, being instead entirely denominated in 12 types of coins, ranging in value from [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''0.05''' to [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''500'''. | ||
| − | One hundredth of a Parallar is officially known as a '''Paracent''', though it | + | One-hundredth of a Parallar is officially known as a '''Paracent''', though it is most commonly shortened to simply '''cent'''. No single coin with a value of [[File:Parallar symbol.png|12px]]'''0.01''' exists; the smallest denomination available is the Nickel coin, worth 5 Paracents. As such, prices are usually rounded to the nearest five cents. |
= History and naming = | = History and naming = | ||
| − | The use of coinage as currency in the Mazes dates as far back as [[History of the Mazes|Era 3]]. The [[Languages|Old Tongue]] word for "coins" or "currency" was '''''Paramil''''', which was derived from ''Param'', a noun which meant "value", in the monetary sense, and ''Il'', a noun which meant "metal". Thus, ''Paramil'' could be | + | The use of coinage as currency in the Mazes dates as far back as [[History of the Mazes|Era 3]]. The [[Languages|Old Tongue]] word for "coins" or "currency" was '''''Paramil''''', which was derived from ''Param'', a noun which meant "value", in the monetary sense, and ''Il'', a noun which meant "metal". Thus, ''Paramil'' could be translated to "valuable metal". At the time, there were only four types of coins; copper (''Gusil'', translit. "red metal"), silver (''Silil'', translit. "silver(-colored) metal"), gold (''Limil'', translit. "golden(-colored) metal"), and platinum (''Zeril'', translit. "white metal"). |
| − | During Era 5, with the introduction of the modern languages, such as Common and Youkai, currency was briefly known as the '''Para-Dollar'''; a portmanteau of "Param" and the word "Dollar", which was invented by Jonas Dolar in [[Calendar#Era system|E5-123]], when he founded the Neo Khazrun bank. After his death in E5-157, the | + | During Era 5, with the introduction of the modern languages, such as Common and Youkai, currency was briefly known as the '''Para-Dollar'''; a portmanteau of "Param" and the word "Dollar", which was invented by Jonas Dolar in [[Calendar#Era system|E5-123]], when he founded the Neo Khazrun bank. After his death in E5-157, the "Para-Dollar" name was shortened to '''Parallar''', and has been used ever since. |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | As time passed and technological levels increased, metallurgical advances made it possible to work with a wider range of materials; namely, alloys, which made it possible to have many different intermediate denominations between the four original coin types. Eight new coin types, most made out of various alloys, were introduced during Era 6. The very first brass coin was minted on Nonama 9, E6-99 (09/09/99 on calendars at the time), using cartridge brass as the base material. See [[Parallar#Brass coins|this section]] for the full story. | ||
= Coin design = | = Coin design = | ||
| − | As listed on [[Valuables#Coins|this page]], there are 12 types of coins | + | As listed on [[Valuables#Coins|this page]], there are 12 types of coins. Each one is made out of a different material and uses different dimensions. Each is assigned an official name, a two-letter code used as an abbreviation, a value, as well as a number of unofficial names or popular nicknames. |
All coins share the following properties: | All coins share the following properties: | ||
* Obverse: A number representing the coin's value, from '''0.05''' to '''500''' | * Obverse: A number representing the coin's value, from '''0.05''' to '''500''' | ||
* Reverse: The rifle-and-sword logo (representing the Mazes), the words '''opum libertas''' ([[Languages|Old Tongue]] motto which means "In wealth is freedom"), and a seven-character manufacturing code, formatted AAA-BBBB-C. AAA is a hexadecimal code referring to the date of manufacture (ranging from 001 to 16D; the latter being the hexadecimal code for 365, or the last day of the year), BBBB is another hexadecimal code referring to the year of manufacture, and C is a single hexadecimal character referring to coin type; each coin type is assigned one character, ranging from 1 to C. | * Reverse: The rifle-and-sword logo (representing the Mazes), the words '''opum libertas''' ([[Languages|Old Tongue]] motto which means "In wealth is freedom"), and a seven-character manufacturing code, formatted AAA-BBBB-C. AAA is a hexadecimal code referring to the date of manufacture (ranging from 001 to 16D; the latter being the hexadecimal code for 365, or the last day of the year), BBBB is another hexadecimal code referring to the year of manufacture, and C is a single hexadecimal character referring to coin type; each coin type is assigned one character, ranging from 1 to C. | ||
| − | ** The manufacturing code of a copper coin minted on Nonama 28, year 684 (the | + | ** The manufacturing code of a copper coin minted on Nonama 28, year 684 (the 271st day of the 684th year) would therefore be '''10F-02AC-6'''. |
Besides these common properties, each coin is different and distinctive. | Besides these common properties, each coin is different and distinctive. | ||
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Cupronickel coins are the third smallest denomination available in the Mazes, being worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''0.50'''. | Cupronickel coins are the third smallest denomination available in the Mazes, being worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''0.50'''. | ||
| − | They are made out of cupronickel alloy, which is 70% copper and 30% nickel. One popular nickname for this type of coin is ''Cunny'' | + | They are made out of cupronickel alloy, which is 70% copper and 30% nickel. One popular nickname for this type of coin is ''Cunny'', presumably invented by putting together the chemical abbreviations for copper and nickel: Cu and Ni. As the term can be considered mildly vulgar, other names such as ''Half'', ''Half-buck'' or ''Connie'' may be preferred. |
Common nicknames: ''Cunny'', ''Connie'', ''Half'', ''Half-buck'' | Common nicknames: ''Cunny'', ''Connie'', ''Half'', ''Half-buck'' | ||
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=== Brass coins === | === Brass coins === | ||
| − | Brass coins are the most common | + | Brass coins are the most common coin type in the Mazes, with the symbolic value of [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''1'''. |
| − | Brass coins were the first of the new types | + | Brass coins were the first of the new coin types invented in Era 6, at a time of need for smaller, less valuable denominations than copper. They are notable for being made out of C260 or cartridge brass, the exact same material used to make cartridge casings. |
| − | In early Era 6, during the tenth decade of the era (E6-90 to E6-99), the Mazes were experiencing a copper shortage; most of it was used for industrial applications, such as the copper jacketing used in bullets, leaving very little for other applications. As such, minting of new copper coins was severely slowed down, resulting in shortages of copper coins. Since the next highest coin denomination was silver coins | + | In early Era 6, during the tenth decade of the era (E6-90 to E6-99), the Mazes were experiencing a copper shortage; most of it was used for industrial applications, such as the copper jacketing used in bullets, leaving very little for other applications. As such, the minting of new copper coins was severely slowed down, resulting in shortages of copper coins. Since the next highest coin denomination was silver coins (worth five times as much as copper), it made smaller, everyday transactions more difficult. |
| − | The story of how brass coins came to be is thought to have originated in the military town of Camp Baxter | + | The story of how brass coins came to be is thought to have originated in the military town of Camp Baxter. It was common practice to cut the heads off of spent cartridge cases and use the resulting brass discs as scrips, using the headstamps and the different sizes as currency for trading various commodities, such as rations, cigarettes, or medical supplies. Visitors from other towns noticed that the local stores seemed to accept both real coins and brass scrips. Although the exact conversion ratio was lost to time, it was commonly understood that a single case head may have had a value ranging between 25 cents and 1 Parallar, depending on the caliber. |
| − | A visiting engineer, noticing the practice, asked the local captain what they did with the cut brass, since they were now useless brass tubes that could not be used for [[handloading]]. The officer replied that they stockpiled the brass, | + | A visiting engineer, noticing the practice, asked the local captain what they did with the cut brass, since they were now useless brass tubes that could not be used for [[handloading]]. The officer replied that they stockpiled the brass, hoping to sell it as scrap brass for melting, and acquiring money with which to trade the scrips for, "so that I can finally pay my men their salary," in his own words. |
| − | As it turned out, the visiting engineer submitted a proposal to the Engineering Corps to create new currency denominations and standardize the process he witnessed at Camp Baxter, namely through the creation of brass coins. His proposal was accepted, and he was transferred to the secret Minting Facility, where he oversaw the minting of the first brass coins. The very first brass coins were minted on Nonama 9, E6-99, and legend says | + | As it turned out, the visiting engineer submitted a proposal to the Engineering Corps to create new currency denominations and standardize the process he witnessed at Camp Baxter, namely through the creation of brass coins. His proposal was accepted, and he was transferred to the secret Minting Facility, where he oversaw the minting of the first brass coins. The very first brass coins were minted on Nonama 9, E6-99, and legend says they were made by melting spent [[9x19mm Parabellum]] casings. In the months that followed, new denominations using other materials were soon created, thus creating the 12-coin denomination system that is still used to this day. |
Other common nicknames: ''Buck'' | Other common nicknames: ''Buck'' | ||
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=== Copper coins === | === Copper coins === | ||
| − | Copper coins are worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''5'''. They are one of the | + | Copper coins are worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''5'''. They are one of the four historical coin types. At the time, copper coins were the lowest valued and the most commonly seen. |
Historically, copper coins were known as ''Gusil'' in the [[Languages|Old Tongue]]. | Historically, copper coins were known as ''Gusil'' in the [[Languages|Old Tongue]]. | ||
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=== Silver coins === | === Silver coins === | ||
| − | Silver coins are worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''25'''. They are one of the | + | Silver coins are worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''25'''. They are one of the four historical coin types, with the second-lowest value of the four. |
Historically, silver coins were known as ''Silil'' in the [[Languages|Old Tongue]]. | Historically, silver coins were known as ''Silil'' in the [[Languages|Old Tongue]]. | ||
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=== Gold coins === | === Gold coins === | ||
| − | Gold coins are worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''100''' and are the third highest denomination available today. They are one of the | + | Gold coins are worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''100''' and are the third highest denomination available today. They are one of the four historical coin types, and were the second-highest value of the four. |
Historically, gold coins were known as ''Limil'' in the [[Languages|Old Tongue]]. | Historically, gold coins were known as ''Limil'' in the [[Languages|Old Tongue]]. | ||
| − | Gold coins are arguably the most popular of the high-denomination coins, being made out of a stereotypically valuable metal, to the point that the letter G is often used as an abbreviation or a shorthand for "100 Parallars" | + | Gold coins are arguably the most popular of the high-denomination coins, being made out of a stereotypically valuable metal, to the point that the letter G is often used as an abbreviation or a shorthand for "100 Parallars". For example, something that is said to have a value of "four Gs" is worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''400'''. |
They are made out of fine gold, with a purity of 99.9% (.999 grade). | They are made out of fine gold, with a purity of 99.9% (.999 grade). | ||
| Line 175: | Line 174: | ||
=== Platinum coins === | === Platinum coins === | ||
| − | Platinum coins are worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''500'''. They are one of the historical | + | Platinum coins are worth [[File:Parallar symbol.png|10px]]'''500'''. They are one of the four historical coin types and the highest-valued since their creation. |
Historically, platinum coins were known as ''Zeril'' in the [[Languages|Old Tongue]]. | Historically, platinum coins were known as ''Zeril'' in the [[Languages|Old Tongue]]. | ||
| Line 181: | Line 180: | ||
Although platinum coins are not as popular, they are the most efficient way to transport value using coins, with a value per weight unit of 5000; higher than any other coin type in the game. | Although platinum coins are not as popular, they are the most efficient way to transport value using coins, with a value per weight unit of 5000; higher than any other coin type in the game. | ||
| − | They are most commonly nicknamed ''Plats'', though | + | They are most commonly nicknamed ''Plats'', though similar to the letter G and gold coins, the letter P is sometimes also used as a shorthand for "500 Parallars". |
They are made out of fine platinum, with a purity of 99.9% (.999 grade). | They are made out of fine platinum, with a purity of 99.9% (.999 grade). | ||
Latest revision as of 06:36, 10 May 2023
| Navigation: | Main Page → Lore → Parallar | |||
 |
This article or section contains lore-related information. Though not strictly necessary for playing the game, you are encouraged to read this section if you wish to have a better understanding of the game's universe. |
The Parallar (always capitalized, pronounced para-LAR; Symbol: 
, may also be abbreviated P$) is the currency of the Mazes.
The most notable fact about the Parallar is the complete absence of paper money or banknotes, being instead entirely denominated in 12 types of coins, ranging in value from 0.05 to 500.
One-hundredth of a Parallar is officially known as a Paracent, though it is most commonly shortened to simply cent. No single coin with a value of 0.01 exists; the smallest denomination available is the Nickel coin, worth 5 Paracents. As such, prices are usually rounded to the nearest five cents.
Contents
History and naming
The use of coinage as currency in the Mazes dates as far back as Era 3. The Old Tongue word for "coins" or "currency" was Paramil, which was derived from Param, a noun which meant "value", in the monetary sense, and Il, a noun which meant "metal". Thus, Paramil could be translated to "valuable metal". At the time, there were only four types of coins; copper (Gusil, translit. "red metal"), silver (Silil, translit. "silver(-colored) metal"), gold (Limil, translit. "golden(-colored) metal"), and platinum (Zeril, translit. "white metal").
During Era 5, with the introduction of the modern languages, such as Common and Youkai, currency was briefly known as the Para-Dollar; a portmanteau of "Param" and the word "Dollar", which was invented by Jonas Dolar in E5-123, when he founded the Neo Khazrun bank. After his death in E5-157, the "Para-Dollar" name was shortened to Parallar, and has been used ever since.
As time passed and technological levels increased, metallurgical advances made it possible to work with a wider range of materials; namely, alloys, which made it possible to have many different intermediate denominations between the four original coin types. Eight new coin types, most made out of various alloys, were introduced during Era 6. The very first brass coin was minted on Nonama 9, E6-99 (09/09/99 on calendars at the time), using cartridge brass as the base material. See this section for the full story.
Coin design
As listed on this page, there are 12 types of coins. Each one is made out of a different material and uses different dimensions. Each is assigned an official name, a two-letter code used as an abbreviation, a value, as well as a number of unofficial names or popular nicknames.
All coins share the following properties:
- Obverse: A number representing the coin's value, from 0.05 to 500
- Reverse: The rifle-and-sword logo (representing the Mazes), the words opum libertas (Old Tongue motto which means "In wealth is freedom"), and a seven-character manufacturing code, formatted AAA-BBBB-C. AAA is a hexadecimal code referring to the date of manufacture (ranging from 001 to 16D; the latter being the hexadecimal code for 365, or the last day of the year), BBBB is another hexadecimal code referring to the year of manufacture, and C is a single hexadecimal character referring to coin type; each coin type is assigned one character, ranging from 1 to C.
- The manufacturing code of a copper coin minted on Nonama 28, year 684 (the 271st day of the 684th year) would therefore be 10F-02AC-6.
Besides these common properties, each coin is different and distinctive.
Table of coin properties
Legend:
- Abbr.: Abbreviation
- MC: Manufacturing code
| Coin type | Abbr. | MC | Value in |
Color | Material | Diameter (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Mass (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel | Ni | 1 | 0.05 | ● Dark gray | Nickel (100%) |
15.50 | 1.00 | 1.68 |
| Aluminium | Al | 2 | 0.10 | ● Light gray | Aluminium (100%) |
17.78 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Cupronickel | Cn | 3 | 0.50 | ● Light yellow | Cupronickel (70% copper, 30% nickel) |
16.12 | 1.25 | 1.80 |
| Brass | Br | 4 | 1.00 | ● Brass yellow | C260 cartridge brass (70% copper, 30% zinc) |
17.40 | 2.10 | 4.20 |
| Steel | St | 5 | 2.00 | ● Reddish-gray | Mild steel (100% steel, ~0.25% carbon content) |
20.80 | 2.50 | 6.67 |
| Copper | Cp | 6 | 5.00 | ● Copper | Fine copper (100%, .999 grade) |
27.00 | 3.25 | 16.67 |
| Gray copper | Gc | 7 | 10.00 | ● Dark copper | Gray copper (40% silver, 60% copper) |
28.69 | 3.25 | 20.00 |
| Silver | Si | 8 | 25.00 | ● Silver | Fine silver (100%, .999 grade) |
32.92 | 3.50 | 31.25 |
| Electrum | El | 9 | 50.00 | ● Greenish-gold | Electrum (50% gold, 50% silver) |
33 | 2.85 | 36.31 |
| Gold | Au | A | 100.00 | ● Gold | Fine gold (100%, .999 grade) |
35.619 | 2.60 | 50.00 |
| White gold | Wg | B | 250.00 | ● Whitish gold | White gold (60% gold, 40% platinum) |
37.206 | 2.60 | 56.82 |
| Platinum | Pt | C | 500.00 | ● Platinum | Fine platinum (100%, .999 grade) |
39.946 | 3.10 | 83.33 |
Nickel coins
Nickel coins are the smallest available denomination available in the Mazes, being worth 0.05.
They are made entirely out of nickel, and weigh roughly 1.68 grams, or just under 26 grains.
These coins have the distinction of having a sufficiently small diameter to fit into a 12 gauge or 12 gauge CAWS shell, which has led to the invention of coin shot.
Common nicknames: Nick, Nicky
Aluminium coins
Aluminium coins are the second smallest denomination available in the Mazes, being worth 0.10.
They are made entirely of aluminium, and because of its nominal mass of almost exactly 1 gram, such coins are sometimes used as weighing scale weights.
Common nicknames: Al, Albert, Dime
Cupronickel coins
Cupronickel coins are the third smallest denomination available in the Mazes, being worth 0.50.
They are made out of cupronickel alloy, which is 70% copper and 30% nickel. One popular nickname for this type of coin is Cunny, presumably invented by putting together the chemical abbreviations for copper and nickel: Cu and Ni. As the term can be considered mildly vulgar, other names such as Half, Half-buck or Connie may be preferred.
Common nicknames: Cunny, Connie, Half, Half-buck
Brass coins
Brass coins are the most common coin type in the Mazes, with the symbolic value of 1.
Brass coins were the first of the new coin types invented in Era 6, at a time of need for smaller, less valuable denominations than copper. They are notable for being made out of C260 or cartridge brass, the exact same material used to make cartridge casings.
In early Era 6, during the tenth decade of the era (E6-90 to E6-99), the Mazes were experiencing a copper shortage; most of it was used for industrial applications, such as the copper jacketing used in bullets, leaving very little for other applications. As such, the minting of new copper coins was severely slowed down, resulting in shortages of copper coins. Since the next highest coin denomination was silver coins (worth five times as much as copper), it made smaller, everyday transactions more difficult.
The story of how brass coins came to be is thought to have originated in the military town of Camp Baxter. It was common practice to cut the heads off of spent cartridge cases and use the resulting brass discs as scrips, using the headstamps and the different sizes as currency for trading various commodities, such as rations, cigarettes, or medical supplies. Visitors from other towns noticed that the local stores seemed to accept both real coins and brass scrips. Although the exact conversion ratio was lost to time, it was commonly understood that a single case head may have had a value ranging between 25 cents and 1 Parallar, depending on the caliber.
A visiting engineer, noticing the practice, asked the local captain what they did with the cut brass, since they were now useless brass tubes that could not be used for handloading. The officer replied that they stockpiled the brass, hoping to sell it as scrap brass for melting, and acquiring money with which to trade the scrips for, "so that I can finally pay my men their salary," in his own words.
As it turned out, the visiting engineer submitted a proposal to the Engineering Corps to create new currency denominations and standardize the process he witnessed at Camp Baxter, namely through the creation of brass coins. His proposal was accepted, and he was transferred to the secret Minting Facility, where he oversaw the minting of the first brass coins. The very first brass coins were minted on Nonama 9, E6-99, and legend says they were made by melting spent 9x19mm Parabellum casings. In the months that followed, new denominations using other materials were soon created, thus creating the 12-coin denomination system that is still used to this day.
Other common nicknames: Buck
Steel coins
Steel coins are worth 2, and were invented shortly after brass coins.
Steel coins are made out of stamped mild steel.
Common nicknames: Steve, Deuce, Double, Dub
Copper coins
Copper coins are worth 5. They are one of the four historical coin types. At the time, copper coins were the lowest valued and the most commonly seen.
Historically, copper coins were known as Gusil in the Old Tongue.
They are made out of bullion-grade, fine copper, with a purity of 99.9% (.999 grade).
Common nicknames: Cooper, Fiver
Gray copper coins
Gray copper coins are worth 10.
They are made out of gray copper, an alloy of 40% silver and 60% copper, giving them a darker appearance than pure copper coins.
Common nicknames: Gray, Tenner
Silver coins
Silver coins are worth 25. They are one of the four historical coin types, with the second-lowest value of the four.
Historically, silver coins were known as Silil in the Old Tongue.
They are made out of fine silver, with a purity of 99.9% (.999 grade).
Common nicknames: Silvia
Electrum coins
Electrum coins are worth 50.
They are made out of electrum, an alloy of exactly 50% gold and 50% silver. They are famous for their greenish hue.
Common nicknames: Elly or Ellie, Green, Half-gold, Tenner
Gold coins
Gold coins are worth 100 and are the third highest denomination available today. They are one of the four historical coin types, and were the second-highest value of the four.
Historically, gold coins were known as Limil in the Old Tongue.
Gold coins are arguably the most popular of the high-denomination coins, being made out of a stereotypically valuable metal, to the point that the letter G is often used as an abbreviation or a shorthand for "100 Parallars". For example, something that is said to have a value of "four Gs" is worth 400.
They are made out of fine gold, with a purity of 99.9% (.999 grade).
Common nicknames: G, Ginny, Goldie
White gold coins
White gold coins are worth 250, and are the second highest denomination available.
They are made out of white gold, an alloy of 60% gold and 40% platinum.
Common nicknames: Half-plat, White, Whitney, Wig, Wiggy (from the abbreviation "Wg")
Platinum coins
Platinum coins are worth 500. They are one of the four historical coin types and the highest-valued since their creation.
Historically, platinum coins were known as Zeril in the Old Tongue.
Although platinum coins are not as popular, they are the most efficient way to transport value using coins, with a value per weight unit of 5000; higher than any other coin type in the game.
They are most commonly nicknamed Plats, though similar to the letter G and gold coins, the letter P is sometimes also used as a shorthand for "500 Parallars".
They are made out of fine platinum, with a purity of 99.9% (.999 grade).
Common nicknames: P, Pete, Plat
