Talk:Electrum

Maybe I'm missing something but if electrum is an alloy of gold and silver and silver is worth less than gold, how can an electrum piece be worth 5gp? The math doesn't work. Boo Too - &#34;Go for the eyes!&#34; (talk) 23:29, April 21, 2013 (UTC)


 * Before 3rd edition (and the complete writing out of electrum from the coinage), electrum pieces were worth 5sp, not gp. It was platinum that was worth 5gp but 3e increased the value.hashtalk 11:36, April 22, 2013 (UTC)


 * In the order the games were published:


 * 0. D&D (basic) || 100 cp || = 10 sp || = 2 ep || = 1 gp
 * = 1&frasl;5 pp
 * 1. AD&D (1st Ed.) || 200 cp || = 20 sp || = 2 ep || = 1 gp
 * = 1&frasl;5 pp
 * 2. AD&D 2nd Ed.  || 100 cp || = 10 sp || = 2 ep || = 1 gp
 * = 1&frasl;5 pp
 * 3. D&D 3rd Ed. || 100 cp || = 10 sp || || = 1 gp
 * = 1&frasl;10 pp
 * 4. D&D (4th Ed.) || 100 cp || = 10 sp || || = 1 gp
 * = 1&frasl;100 pp
 * = 1&frasl;10,000 ad
 * 5. D&D (5th Ed.) || 100 cp || = 10 sp || = 2 ep || = 1 gp
 * = 1&frasl;10 pp
 * }
 * Gyagax (AD&D 1st Ed.) apparently preferred historical accuracy over decimal simplicity.
 * 3rd Ed. went fully decimal, by doubling pp value and ignoring ep.
 * The FR campaign sets all confirm that the then current core rule exchange rates applied to the Realms.
 * —MJBurrage(T•C) 04:57, September 2, 2014 (UTC)
 * }
 * Gyagax (AD&D 1st Ed.) apparently preferred historical accuracy over decimal simplicity.
 * 3rd Ed. went fully decimal, by doubling pp value and ignoring ep.
 * The FR campaign sets all confirm that the then current core rule exchange rates applied to the Realms.
 * —MJBurrage(T•C) 04:57, September 2, 2014 (UTC)


 * The notable exception to electrum value is from the 4th Edition FRCG which mentions Sembian electrum coins "in lieu of platinum pieces"—known as an electrum pieces (ep) or "blue-eyes"—worth 5 gp (½ pp). This value is contrary to all previous material, in which "blue-eyes" referred to standard electrum pieces (ep) worth ½ gp.
 * I had not noticed before, but Gygax's original AD&D coinage system was decimal; but based on electrum, with pure gold the odd coin out. I'd also be surprised if Gygax had not known that electrum is the oldest known coin metal, dating to Lydia circa fifth century BC:
 * AD&D (1st Ed.) 1000 cp = 100 sp = 10 ep = 1 pp = 5 gp
 * —MJBurrage(T•C) 16:40, September 3, 2014 (UTC)