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A '''fictional currency''' is some form of [[currency]] defined, or alluded to, in works of [[fiction]]. The names of units of such currency are sometimes based on extant or historic currencies (e.g. "Altairian dollars" or "Earth yen") while other names, such as "Kalganids" in [[Isaac Asimov|Asimov]]'s [[Foundation series|''Foundation'' series]], may be wholly invented. A particularly common type, especially in [[science fiction]], is [[electronic money|electronically managed]] "[[#Credits|credits]]". In some works of fiction, exchange media other than money are used. These are not currency as such, but rather nonstandard [[Medium of exchange|media of exchange]] used to avoid the difficulties of ensuring "[[Coincidence of wants|double coincidence of wants]]" in a [[barter]] system.

==Concept and creation==
Authors have to take care when naming fictional currencies because of the associations between currency names and countries; recognizable names for currencies of the future (e.g. dollar or yen) may be used to imply how history has progressed, but would appear out of place in an entirely alien civilization. Historical fiction may need research. Writers need not explain the exact value of their fictional currencies or provide an exchange rate to modern money; they may rely on the intuitive grasp of their readers, for instance that one currency unit is probably of little value, but that millions of units will be worth a lot.

Currencies in science fiction face particular problems due to futuristic technology allowing [[Replicator (Star Trek)|matter replication]] and hence forgery. Authors have proposed currencies that are incapable of replication such as the non-replicable "latinum" used by the [[Ferengi]] in the ''[[Star Trek]]'' universe, or the currency in ''[[Pandora's Millions]]'' by [[George O. Smith]], which is booby-trapped to explode if scanned by a replicating machine. Money in [[Fantasy|fantasy fiction]] faces analogous challenges from the use of [[magic (paranormal)|magic]]; in the [[Harry Potter universe|''Harry Potter'']] series by [[J. K. Rowling]], magically-created currency is time-limited, while in [[Ursula K. Le Guin]]'s [[fictional universe|fictional realm]] of [[Earthsea]], the world's equilibrium is unbalanced when something is created from nothing. In other stories, [[inflation]] reduces the value of money, as in ''[[The Age of the Pussyfoot]]'' by [[Frederik Pohl]]. after the discovery of vast mineral deposits in the [[Antarctic]] devalues all known precious metals.

While modern [[Fiat money|fiat currencies]] lack intrinsic worth, some fictional currencies are designed to be valuable in their own right. Intrinsically valuable currencies are used in the [[Frank Herbert]]'s ''[[Dune (franchise)|Dune]]'' universe; the [[Dragonlance]] world of [[Krynn]] where [[steel]] coins are the primary currency and are more valuable than gold by weight; and the ''[[Apprentice Adept]]'' series by [[Piers Anthony]]. The [[space opera]] ''[[Consider Phlebas]]'' by [[Iain M. Banks]] features coins convertible for [[chemical element]]s, land, or computers.

==Trends in the use of fictional currencies==
The use of "credits" is particularly common in futuristic settings, so much so that Sam Humphries has pointed it out as a cliché: "In any science-fiction movie, anywhere in the galaxy, currency is referred to as 'credits'. Credits are frequently envisioned as a form of [[electronic money]].

In science fiction set in the near future, modern currency names are often used. The selection of familiar currencies such as the dollar or yen, particularly in the far future, may be used to make suggestions about the way history unfolded; however, it would seem strange for aliens to use a recognizable currency.
==See also==
*[[List of fictional currencies]]
*[[Virtual economy]]
*[[Quatloos.com]], anti-fraud website named after a fictional currency

==Source==

[http://wikipedia.org/ http://wikipedia.org/]

[[Category:Currency]]

Fictional currency - Revision history

Admin: Created page with " A '''fictional currency''' is some form of currency defined, or alluded to, in works of fiction. The names of units of such currency are sometimes based on exta..."