The question came up if the Edain will have coin money and I figure it’s best to start a new thread.
The First Age Edain surely wouldn’t have coins at first, when they arrive in Beleriand, unless they can plausibly get them from trade with Longbeards. I get the impression that Valinorean Elves had a post-scarcity gift economy with no money. What about in Beleriand during the war with Morgoth? Did shell or metal money get invented eventually, or was it all barter and unquantified treasure? Metal coins seem like either a Dwarven or a Noldorin invention.
but they very soon come into the service of the noldor... they become soldiers, get outfitted, even live in the elven fortresses or their proximity. What they get from the elves... i doubt they have money, they get lands and elvish luxury goods.
There are references to metal coins, but I think only in Third Age Gondor and Eriador. They must go back to the Realms in Exile, and maybe late Numenor, but not necessarily any earlier.That’s a good point. Coinage is a fairly modern (well, modern from a ‘within the entire scope of human history’ point of view, and since this entire story is taking place in a hazy prehistorical age, it would make sense for them not to have coins, even if anyone decides to give anyone some kind of currency.
The First Age Edain surely wouldn’t have coins at first, when they arrive in Beleriand, unless they can plausibly get them from trade with Longbeards. I get the impression that Valinorean Elves had a post-scarcity gift economy with no money. What about in Beleriand during the war with Morgoth? Did shell or metal money get invented eventually, or was it all barter and unquantified treasure? Metal coins seem like either a Dwarven or a Noldorin invention.
Last edited: