Currencies

The topic of currencies and economies is one that was fairly well addressed in basic form in the second edition of Mechwarrior and more completely in the third edition. Some of the following information is from the third edition, such as the commentary on specific currencies. The sections on general economic interactions and on Clan economics are mine, however, and subject to some varience from the Battletech norm (as there are some sources that I might not be aware of). The conversion table for 3025 is similarly conjecture based on comments read and on the values for 3048 and 3062.

The Germanium Standard

The Star League currency was based on the Germanium standard. Germanium, as a superconductor, medicinal remedy, and a primary ingredient in early KF Jumpdrives, was and is a valued rarity. Similar to ancient gold standards (rendered obsolete on an intersellar scale by the proliferation of gold sources), a Star League bill could theoretically be exchanged for a given amount of Germanium. At the beginning of the First Succession War, each House began printing their own version of currency, backed by their own supplies of Germanium. Following the devestations of the First and Second Succession Wars, the Houses abandoned the Germanium standard, due in part to a dwindling stockpile of the resource. Initial House bills were backed by water supplies and other resources, but it is more realistic to say that they are backed by the good faith and credit of the issuing Successor State. The value of these bills fluctuates with the fortunes of the backing Houses.

Planetary Currencies

Individual planets often print their own currency for local use. Some planets are stable enough to be able to print notes against the good faith and credit of their local governments or ruling noble house. Most, however, back their bills with some local resource in order to give their script some offworld legitimacy. Typically, though, local script is referred to derisively as "toilet paper" and such. Several planets refuse to accept offworld currency in day to day dealings, and often the planet profits from the forced conversion to local script.

Trading and speculation on House currency is usually a fairly stable affair when compared to the lesser currencies that sometimes make their way into the market. An aggressive individual can make a profit off of those wide fluctuations, but such a volitile market carries extreme risk. The cautious investor diversifies his assets between various currencies, or in valued resources and commodities.

Comstar Bills

Most commonly accepted currency in the Inner Sphere by far is the Comstar Bill (symbol: CB or C-Bill). While House currencies are based on the good faith and credit of the ruling House, the C-Bill is based on the cost of a 1 millisecond Hyperpulse Generator message (approximately 2 pages of text or 1 small picture). Decimal amounts are used in electronic transfers, stock prices, banking and other economic transactions. Coins exist, called demis, but they are only found on Comstar administered worlds. Most change is handled in local currency. Paper notes are printed on Terra using a hard wearing but flexible plastic. They come in 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 C-Bill notes. The bills depict the Comstar symbol and pictures of various monuments on Terra. 10% of all currency in circulation is found in C-Bills.

The Eagle

For all its internal divisions, the Free Worlds League has alsways had a strong economy. Its currency, known as the eagle (sysbol: E or M-bill), reflects this. The collapse of the Federated Commonwealth and the Draconis Combine's economic difficulties have made the eagle the second-strongest currency in the Inner Sphere. Divided inot 100 cents, the eagle is perhaps the most diverse Inner Sphere currency, with each member-state of the Free Worlds League allowed to print its own variant. Though other denominations exist, the most common coins in the Leage include 1, 5, 10 and 25 cent pieces (usually copper alloy) and 50 cent and 1 eagle pieces (silver alloy). The most common notes are 1, 5, 10 and 20 eagle bills, though denominations up to 1 million eagles exist in some areas.

The Yuan

Traditionally reflecting the weakest economy in the Inner Sphere, the Capellan yuan (symbol: Y or L-bill) has strengthened in recent years. Coins dominate the convoluted Capellan monetary system. Each yuan is divided into 10 jiao and each jiao into 10 fen. Coins exist in 1, 2 and 5 fen denominations (copper alloy); 1,2 and 5 jiao (silver alloy); and 1, 5, 10 and 50 yuan denomiations (gold alloy). All Capellan coins have a hole bored through the center, allowing them to be carried on money strings. Notes also exist in 10, 50, 100 and 1,000 yuan denominatinos, but they are considerably less common than coins.

The Pound

The Federated Suns has reverted to its pre-FedCom currency, the pound (symbol: £ or D-bill). Each pound is subdivided into 100 pence, through some Francophone regions of the Federated Suns use the term "centime" instead. Coins exist in 1, 2, 5 and 10 pence denominations (aluminum) and 20 and 50 pence (silver alloy). Each coin bears the First Prince's head on one side and either the Davion insignia or that of the March Capital where it was minted on the other. Notes exit for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 pound denominations. The material used for these notes varies by mint. Those printed on New Syrtis and New Avalon use a hard wearing but flexible plastic, while those minted on Robinson are made of paper. Each denomination is distinguashed by color and size, with larger notes having greater value. One side of each shows the Davion insignia and the image of the First Prince, while the other shows famous historical figures.

The Kroner

The currency of the Lyran Alliance, and the Lyran Commonwealth before it, is the kroner (symbol: K or S-bill). Each kroner is subdivided into 100 pfennigs. Most major transactions are carried out electronically, but notes and coins remain common. Coins exist in 1, 5 and 10 pfennig denominations, made of copper alloy; 25 and 50 pfennig, made of silver alloy; and 1 and 5 kroner, of gold alloy. All coins are minted on Tharkad, with the Steiner emblem on one side and the Archon's image on the other. Paper notes exist for 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 10,000 kroner, all of which are color-coded and readily distinguishable. One side of each note bears the Archon's image and the Steiner insignia, while the other depicts a famous scene from Lyran history.

The Ryu

The Draconis Combine's economy has been hard hit by the Clan invasion and the strain of reintegrating former Smoke Jaguar worlds. Consequently, the value of Combine ryu (symbol: D or K-bill) has dropped considerably, though its long term prospects remain good. Each ryu is divided into 100 yen. The Combine government is constantly changing the make-up of its currency. At the time of the last revision in 3060, the denominations were 1,5,10 and 20 yen coins (copper alloy); 50 yen, and 1 ryu and 5 ryu coins (silver alloy); and 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 ryu notes. The 1,000 and 10,000 ryu notes used before 3060 are rare, but they remain legal tender in the Combine. Each prefecture mints its own coins and notes, but there is little difference among them beyond the name of the mint, which is embossed on the edge of coins or as a watermark on notes.

The Krona

The currency of the FRR is the krona (different from the Lyran kroner), which is divided into 100 aurar. Use of the krona (symbol: KA or R-bill) declined markedly in years following the Clan invasion, when it was largely replaced by the ComStar C-Bill. The recent resurgence of nationalist sentiment in the Republic, however, has prompted wider use of the krona. Coins come in 1, 5, 10 and 40 aura denominations, all copper alloy. Notes exist in 1, 5, 25 and 100 krona denominations.

The Kerensky

We believe that the currency in use by the Clans is the Kerensky (symbol: ??). Little is known about it other than that. It is used primarily by the Merchant caste for trading, as resources are allocated within the Clan in a communistic manner. This is typically what is meant by a Clan being wealthy: the Clan as a whole has greater assets and resources, and thus has a slightly higher standard of living.

Exchange Rates

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