What is a Coin?
A coin is a piece of money most commonly made out of metal. It is issued by governments to be used for paying for goods and services. Coins come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. They may also have different inscriptions or pictures. The face value of a coin is guaranteed by the issuing government. Coin collectors distinguish between circulation coins, which are minted for everyday use, and commemorative coins, which are produced to honor events or individuals.
The most common material for coins is gold, but other metals have been used, too. Some of the very earliest coins were made out of electrum, an alloy of gold and silver. Bronze, iron and zinc were also used for coins. In times of shortages, people have even used paper, wood and other materials to make currency.
Coins can tell a lot about the world in which they are created. They can show the wealth or power of a city or country. They can indicate trade routes and monetary systems. They can even reveal political relationships, as in the case of some coins bearing images of emperors.
Most of the time, however, it is not possible to get a complete picture from a single coin. There is often more than one side to a story, which is why it’s a good idea to have a wide range of coins available to study.
For example, in a story about the American Civil War, it might be helpful to include some coins of the Union and Confederate states as well as some from the British Empire and other countries. This will help to give a more accurate representation of the entire scope of the conflict.
Getting it in writing
It’s always wise to have a written record of any important transaction. It’s especially prudent to do so when it comes to money, because if something goes wrong it can be difficult or impossible to prove.
While it’s not always practical or possible to write a story where people can exchange real money, stories can still be useful for describing how that process would work in your setting. It’s just a matter of thinking about the practicalities involved in this sort of transaction.
The coin is the main character of the short story “The Coin” by Will Ludwigsen, and it is notable because there are no human characters in it. It is a rare example of an omniscient voice, but it’s also a great example of how a writer can make an object the main character in a story without making the audience uncomfortable. You can read the full story here or purchase it as part of a collection of short stories called In Search Of.