The Gorean Coins
Tarsks and Tarsk Bits
The lesser-coinage found on Gor; from copper to silver class weights.
Copper Tarsk Bit
Depending upon the original value of the coin and how the coin was cut into "bits, it is, naturally, copper, worth from 1/4 to 1/10th of a copper tarsk. The common number of tarsk-bits in a copper tarsk is eight. When copper tarsks are struck, they are often created with deep grooves which enable the owner to snap the coin into smaller pieces. This is typical in the city of Ar.
Copper Tarsk Disk
A copper coin of the least value on Gor, usually equal to eight tarsk-bits.
Silver Tarsk Disk
The silver tarsk is probably the most-used denomination of Gorean coinage; generally the equivalent of one hundred (100) copper tarsks. The Silver Tarsk of Tharna is considered one of the most highly respected coins based on true and honest value.
"I threw a sliver tarsk, taken from what we had obtained from the slavers in the marsh, to the proprietor of the paga tavern, and took in return one of the huge bottles of paga…" — Raiders of Gor, page 111.
"He had been very generous. A silver tarsk is, to most Goreans, a coin of considerable value. In most exchanged, it is valued at a hundred copper tarsks, each of which valued, commonly, at some ten to twenty tarsk bits. … Other generally respected coins tend to be the silver tarsk of Tharna, the golden tarn disk of Ko-ro-ba, and the golden tarn of Port Kar, the latter particularly on the western Vosk, in the Tamber Gulf region, and a few hundred pasangs north and south of the Bosk's delta." — Rogue of Gor, page 155.
Tarn Disks
The mid-class coinage foundon Gor; from copper to gold class weights.
Copper Tarn Disk
Another copper coin that is of a slightly greater value than that of the copper tarsk. A rare coinage no longer in use due to standardization of coinage through-out Gor.
"What do you for that slave?" asked a captain, a tall man with a small, carefully trimmed beard.
"Fifty copper tarn disks," said the slave master. — Raiders of Gor, page 182.
"The proprietor, when I entered, lifted his head from the counter, behind which hung a great bottle of paga in its pouring sling. I threw down a copper tarn disk and he tilted the great bottle. I took my goblet of paga to a table and sat down, cross-legged, behind it." — Raiders of Gor, page 120.
Gold[en] Tarn Disk
Generally, this coin is equivalent to that of ten (10) silver tarsk. Although many cities on Gor mint their own gold tarn disks, the Gorean standard is the gold tarn disk of Ar because of its consistant quality and and purity, thus making it the most valuable of such coins. Standardization is very little because coinage depends on the qualities of the metals, and the weights of the coins, as well as the accuracy of the scales. Too, further debasing to the coins by shaving or splitting of the coin.
"In most exchanged, it is valued at a hundred copper tarsks, each of which valued, commonly, at some ten to twenty tarsk bits. Ten silver tarsks, usually, is regarded as the equivalent of one gold piece, of one of the high cities. To be sure, there is little standardization in these matter, for much depends on the actual weights of the coins and quantities of precious metals, certified by the municipal stamps, contained in the coins. Sometimes, too, coins are split or shaved. Further the debasing of coinage is not unknown. Scales and rumors, it seems are often sued by coin merchants. One of the central coins on Gor is the golden tarn disk of Ar, against which many cities standardize their own gold piece. Other generally respected coins tend to be the silver tarsk of Tharna, the golden tarn disk of Ko-ro-ba, and the golden tarn of Port Kar, the latter particularly on the western Vosk, in the Tamber Gulf region, and a few hundred pasangs north and south of the Bosk's delta." — Rogue of Gor, page 155.
Double-Weight Gold Tarn Disk
A gold tarn disk, minted at double thickness to be twice the weight of a standard gold tarn disk.
Staters
The highest class of coin on Gor, in silver and gold class weights; used most often in Argentum and Brundisium.
Silver Stater
This coin used more often in the cities of Argentum and Brundisium, it is likely to be equivalent in value to a standard Gorean silver tarsk disk.
Gold Stater
This coin is commonly used in the city of Brundisium, possibly elsewhere. It is known to be of excellent quality and weight; possibly of more worth than that of a traditional gold tarn disk.
Other Forms of Currency
Monetary Drafts and Promissary Notes
Often there are times when carrying around large sums of coins is simply dangerous. Therefore, Goreans use promissary notes, or monetary drafts, drawn on paper from money-lenders and financial institutions. Such instances of use are often seen with suspicion, the Gorean preferring coins to paper, but it is not an unusual practice. The Caste of Merchants, specifically the Caste of Money-Lenders oversee all such practices from the city money-houses which reside on The Street of Coins, the common name for the financial districts of most Gorean cities.
Gems and Stones
The use of gems for money is not common, although the use of such gems in terms of bartering is done, depending upon the quality of the stone and its rarity and purity. While slave girls wear jewelry, they are adorned only with colored beads of wood and other such materials of little value. It should be noted, however, that the sapphires of Schendi, for instance, are widely prized throughout all of Gor.