In a message dated 04/29/2004 12:41:07 AM Eastern Standard Time, calianng_graves at yahoo.com writes: However, with notes being more common, I *think* Steve is trying to show the slow evolution from a metal-based economy to a production-based economy. Production based economies require production though. The agricultural based economy of the empire makes it very difficult for the empire to issue paper currency that will be honored outside of commerce centers. The most likely scenario for paper currency in the empire is like that of the old west. Private companies issued their own currency backed by their own assets. I do believe that Orca deals with this issue to some extent. The more stable the companies' reputation and means of income, the more stable the value of their issued currency. John D. Barbato, OD