Gentian's Photographic Misadventures

[Gentian]

A *Bit* About Equestrian Currency


A short time ago, in another thread, the subject drifted around to money in Equestria. I did a bit of explaining, and describing, and said I might eventually get around to sharing more about the monetary system in use in Twilight's world, including images. Of course, I can't actually photograph a bit because if Twilight had yet figured out a way to move material objects between worlds, I'd already be in Equestria with her. Alas, she has not, I am still here, and we must make do with my poor illustrations, as described to me by Twilight.

Over the past weeks, I had sort of given up on that idea because I couldn't make a coin look 3-dimensional, or sufficiently detailed, so instead began work on a comic project I'd been considering for some time. That is proving even more frustrating, and while I haven't abandoned it, I wanted a break today, but also wanted to draw something, so decided to revisit the numismatic sketches in my notebook, and try, try again. This time, I chose to settle for a simple layout of coins, instead of actually trying to capture them 3-dimensionally.

Let's break it down: Where Twilight is from, the bit, as some of you already know, is the unit of currency. Unlike in many countries in this world, there is no subdivision of it, i.e. there is the bit, it's multiples, and fractions, but there is no equivalent to, for example, the United States' "cents" to accompany its "dollars."

The bit comes in 5 types of coins: 1-Bit, 2-Bits, 5-Bits, and 10-Bits, for the whole denominations. 1/2 and 1/4 Bit coins have also come into circulation semi-recently. All Equestrian coins are typically made of gold, as it is shiny, beautiful, and does not tarnish or corrode. 1 Bit has about the same purchasing-power as a U.S. dollar, so needless to say, if one, which is roughly the size of a U.S. quarter (approx. 25mm) were to be brought to Earth the value of it's gold would far exceed its face-value. One can correctly infer from that information, that gold is absurdly more common there than it is on Earth. Despite this, it is still held in high esteem, as it is seen as a representation of Princess Celestia, her might, and her gifts to her children, most likely because it reminds ponies of their sun just as much as it reminds humans of ours.

Another thing to know about bit coins (heh) is that they are only ornamented on one side; the "heads" has an image, and the "tails" a simple number for the value of the coin. In the enclosed drawing, the first two discs are of a 1-Bit coin. It bears an image of the God-Empress in the sky on its obverse, high above the clouds, wings spread, and clutching an image of her cutie-mark in her forehooves. A radiant halo shines from around her head, onto her world below. The second disc is its reverse side, appropriately bearing an image of the numeral 1.

Center left, you can see a display of the various coin shapes, and their associated values. You may notice that a 2-Bit coin may be of any shape, this will be explained more thoroughly below. In addition, there is a picture of the rim of a circular 2-Bit coin; you doubtlessly notice that it has its value imprinted therein, as well. The rims of all coins have their values rolled into them. This is usually done on Earth as an anti-counterfeiting measure, however such a thing is not necessary in Equestria, and it is there purely for aesthetic reasons.

The second pair of discs are the only exception to the basic layout of coin explained above i.e. decorated obverse, and numbered reverse. This is the coin which was struck to commemorate the events portrayed in the first and second episodes of the 1st season of FiM. You see, Like humans, ponies will memorialize important places or events in coinage, some ponies also like to collect them. The 2-Bit coin is the one which is always used for this purpose, and it is why the 2-Bit alone, can be of any of the full-denomination shapes.

In the first 2 episodes of the series, 2 very important events occured; the Elements of Harmony were renewed, and Nightmare Moon was defeated, returning Princess Luna. Both of these things were of such importance that the decision was made to, just this once, change the plan of the 2-Bit coin to accommodate them. One face therefore contains an image of 6 stars to represent the 6 Elements, with a crown of laurels above to signify accomplishment and triumph, as it does on Earth, and a frayed rope below, which is the traditional symbol to represent strength through unity, to the ponies. Think of it in the same way we humans often use a faggot for the same purpose; any one twig is weak, but bundled together they are strong. Likewise, any one fiber of the rope is weak, but twisted into a line, they are mighty. The other face shows Luna, signified by her cutie mark, risen above the fallen and empty helmet of Nightmare Moon.