A
fictional currency is some form of defined or alluded
currency in works of
fiction. The names of such units of currency are sometimes based on extant or historic currencies (e.g. "Altairian dollars" or "Earth yen") while others, such as "Kalganids" in
Asimov's
Foundation series, may be wholly invented. A particularly common type, especially in
science fiction, is
electronically managed "
credits".
[1][2] In some works of fiction, exchange media other than money are used. These are not currency as such, but rather nonstandard
media of exchange used to avoid the difficulties of ensuring "
double coincidence of wants" in a
barter system.
[edit] 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.
[3]
Currencies in science fiction face particular problems due to futuristic technology allowing
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.
[4] Money in
fantasy fiction faces analogous challenges from the use of
magic; in the
Harry Potter series by
J. K. Rowling, magically-created currency is time-limited, while in
Ursula K. Le Guin's
fictional realm of
Earthsea, the world's Equilibrium is unbalanced when something is created from nothing.
[4]
In the
Demon Princes pentology by
Jack Vance the currency 'SVU' or Standard Value Unit was described as being employed on most major settled worlds and having a value equivalent to one hour of common labor. Its printed notes were verifiable by scanning with a device called a
fake meter the function of which comprised a critical theme of the second book (
The Killing Machine) in that series. The protagonist undermines the system and prints 10 Billion SVU undetectable by the fake meter setting the stage for the four books to follow.
The long-term value of currency is an issue in works featuring
journeys through time or the elapse of very long periods (for instance due to the deep sleep or
cryopreservation of the protagonists). In some cases,
compound interest may swell small amounts into a fortune, as happens in the
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by
Douglas Adams and
When the Sleeper Wakes by
H. G. Wells, or the
Futurama episode "
A Fishful of Dollars".
[1][5] In other stories,
inflation reduces the value of money, as in
The Age of the Pussyfoot by
Frederik Pohl.
[1] Other plot factors can affect the worth of currency; for instance, in
The Moon Metal by
Garrett P. Serviss the world's
currency standard must be switched from gold to a mysterious new chemical,
[6] "artemisium", after the discovery of vast mineral deposits in the
Antarctic devalues all known precious metals.
[7]
While modern
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 universe; the
Dragonlance world of
Krynn where
steel coins are the primary currency and are more valuable than gold by weight;
[8][9] and the
Apprentice Adept series by
Piers Anthony. The
space opera Consider Phlebas by
Iain M. Banks features coins convertible for
chemical elements, land, or computers.
[1] In
utopian fiction, a
money-free economy may still need a unit of exchange: in
The Great Explosion by
Eric Frank Russell, the Gands use favor-exchange based on "obs" (obligations).
[10]
[edit] 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.'"
[2] Credits are frequently envisaged as a form of
electronic money.
[1]
For 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.
[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Gliddon, Gerald (2005). The Greenwood encyclopedia of science fiction and fantasy, Volume 2. Greenwood. p. 532. ISBN 0-313-32950-8.
- ^ a b Ebert, Roger (1999). Ebert's bigger little movie glossary. Andrews McMeel. p. 172. ISBN 0-8362-8289-2.
- ^ a b Athans, Philip; Salvatore, R. A. (2010). The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction. Adams Media. p. 113. ISBN 1-4405-0145-9.
- ^ a b Gliddon, Gerald (2005). The Greenwood encyclopedia of science fiction and fantasy, Volume 2. Greenwood. p. 531. ISBN 0-313-32950-8.
- ^ Iverson, Dan (12 June 2009). "Top 25 Futurama Episodes". IGN. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
- ^ Stableford, Brian (2004). Historical dictionary of science fiction literature. Scarecrow Press. p. 310. ISBN 0-8108-4938-0.
- ^ Serviss, Garrett P. (1900). "The Moon Metal". Gutenberg Press. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- ^ Weiss, Margaret; Hickman, Tracy (2000). Dragons of Autumn Twilight. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1574-9.
- ^ Hickman, Tracy. Dragons of Despair. Module DL1. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast. p. 29.
- ^ James, Edward (2003). "Utopias and anti-utopias". In James, Edward; Mendlesohn, Farah. The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction. Cambridge University Press. p. 223. ISBN 0-521-01657-6.
