Currency

Core Coinage

Mariposa

Mariposa (Copper/Bronze)
The lowest denomination, representing small, everyday transactions. "Mariposa" means butterfly, symbolising commonality and flight. These coins are simple, with a stylised butterfly motif.

Obverse: Candle of Velessa and motto "Obedece y Prospera" ("Obey and Prosper")
Reverse: has a butterfly and number

Gota

Gota (Silver)
The most common medium of exchange, used for larger daily purchases and wages. “Gota” means drop, suggesting the preciousness of water and the steady flow of commerce. These feature symbols of abundance, such as a full moon or a flowing river.

Obverse: Moon of Lunara and motto "Toda Vida Sirve" ("Every Life Serves)"
Reverse: has a flowing river and number

Estrella

Estrella (Gold)
The highest denomination, reserved for significant transactions, land purchases, and the wealthiest individuals. “Estrella” means star, reflecting rarity, divine guidance, and immense value. These coins are intricately designed, perhaps bearing the symbol of a celestial map.

Obverse: Flame of Alturión and motto "El Orden es Sagrado" ("Order is Sacred").
Reverse: has a celestial map and number

1 Estrella (Gold) = 12 Gotas (Silver)
1 Gota (Silver) = 12 Mariposas (Copper/Bronze)

Images

Design varied by island and time, with Alta Sacerdotisa often changing them at whim.

• 
  Mariposa obverse
• 
  Mariposa reverse
• 
  Gota obverse
• 
  Gota reverse
• 
  Estrella obverse
• 
  Estrella reverse

Non-Coinage Forms of Wealth

• Amulets/Relics: Small, consecrated objects (perhaps made of polished stone, carved wood, or woven materials) could hold spiritual or symbolic value, used as tokens of favour, protection, or even as high-value currency among certain groups. A priestess might bestow these for exceptional service.
• Holy Waters/Oils: Bottled or contained sacred waters or rare oils, blessed by the priestesses, could be extremely valuable for medicinal purposes, rituals, or anointing. These would be less about everyday transactions and more about high-level gifts or payments within the religious hierarchy.
• Traded Goods: Emphasise the value of specific resources unique to your land. For a Spanish-flavoured setting, this could include:
• Saffron: A highly prised spice, valuable for its culinary uses, dyes, and potential medicinal properties.
• Olives/Olive Oil: Essential for cooking, lighting, and anointing, representing a staple and a valuable export.
• Fine Wines/Spirits: Depending on your region, specific fermented beverages could hold significant trade value.
• Specialised Textiles: Richly dyed fabrics or finely woven tapestries could be a form of wealth, especially if they involve rare materials or intricate craftsmanship.

Economic Considerations and Flavour

Centralised Control: The priestesses control the minting and distribution of currency, solidifying their power and divine authority. The coins themselves could bear the effigy of the current high priestess or a symbol of their patron deity.

Religious Significance: Perhaps there are tithes paid in specific offerings (crops, labour, or even Mariposas) to the temples, reinforcing the priestesses’ economic and spiritual grip.

Bartering: While coinage exists, don’t forget the importance of bartering for common goods in rural areas or between communities, especially for bulk items like grains, livestock, or building materials. This adds a layer of realism.

Local Variations: Different regions or religious orders might have slightly varied unofficial currencies or trade practices, adding depth to your world. For example, a northern mountain region might value furs more than olives.

Sample Prices

These are rough estimates and can be adjusted based on the specific scarcity, prosperity, and economic nuances of your world.

Everyday Necessities (Mariposas and Low Gotas)

Item	Cost		Item	Cost
Loaf of good bread	1-2 Mariposas		Mug of ale/wine (common)	1-3 Mariposas
Basic meal at a tavern	5-8 Mariposas		A Small fish/chunk of meat	3-6 Mariposas
Pouch of common spices (e.g., salt, pepper)	1-2 Mariposas		Candle	1 Mariposa
Simple knife	5-10 Mariposas (or 1 Gota)		Pair of basic leather shoes	8-15 Mariposas (or 1-2 Gotas)
Night at a common inn (bed only)	5-10 Mariposas		Arrow (single)	1 Mariposa
Rope (10ft)	2-4 Mariposas		Simple common cloth tunic	1-2 Gotas

Goods and Services (Gotas)

Item	Cost		Item	Cost
Quality sword (well-made, not masterwork)	5-15 Gotas		Suit of leather armour	8-20 Gotas
Fine wine (bottle)	1-3 Gotas		Small sack of flour	1-2 Gotas
Horse (common riding)	8-25 Gotas (depending on quality and training)		Cart/Wagon	5-15 Gotas
Hire a common labourer for a day	3-5 Mariposas (but paid in Gotas weekly/monthly)		Healer’s visit (basic wound)	1-3 Gotas
Gemstone (small, low quality)	1-5 Gotas		Rent for a small city dwelling (per month)	3-10 Gotas

High-Value Items and Luxuries (Estrellas)

Item	Cost		Item	Cost
Large plot of arable land (outside city)	1-5 Estrellas (or more for prime land)		Small house in a city	3-10 Estrellas
Masterwork weapon/armour	2-5 Estrellas		Warhorse	2-8 Estrellas
Large trading vessel/ship	10-50+ Estrellas		Major religious relic	5-50+ Estrellas (potentially priceless, negotiated)
Amulet/Relic (spiritual value, high-end)	1-5 Estrellas (or more if truly ancient/powerful)		Payment for a mercenary company for a week	5-20 Estrellas (depending on size/skill)
Large shipment of saffron/rare spices	1-10 Estrellas		Dowry for a noble marriage	5-100+ Estrellas (or land/titles)

Sample Wages

Commoners and Labourers (Mariposas and Low Gotas)

Item	Cost		Item	Cost
Unskilled labourer (per day)	3-5 Mariposas (often paid weekly, 2-3 Gotas)		Farmhand (per day)	2-4 Mariposas (often paid in food/lodging plus a small wage)
Common guard/soldier (per day)	5-8 Mariposas (or 1 Gota, usually paid monthly)		Inn servant/maid (per day)	2-4 Mariposas (plus food/lodging)
Craftsman’s apprentice (per day)	1-3 Mariposas (mostly training, minimal wage)		Sailor (per day)	4-7 Mariposas (plus food, often paid per voyage)

Skilled Workers and Professionals (Gotas)

Item	Cost		Item	Cost
Journeyman craftsman (e.g., carpenter, smith, tailor – per day)	8-15 Mariposas (or 1-2 Gotas, paid weekly/monthly)		Mercenary (individual, basic gear – per day)	1-3 Gotas
Scribe/Clerk (per day)	1-2 Gotas		Healer/Apothecary (per service)	1-5 Gotas (or retainer for a noble house)
Skilled artisan (e.g., master weaver, glassblower – per day)	2-5 Gotas		Merchant’s factor/agent (per month)	10-30 Gotas (plus commission)

Higher Status and Specialised Roles (Gotas and Estrellas)

Item	Cost		Item	Cost
Master of a guild (monthly salary)	1-3 Estrellas (plus guild fees/profits)		Captain of a guard company (monthly salary)	2-5 Estrellas
High-ranking priestess (stipend/offerings, monthly)	3-10+ Estrellas (plus significant non-monetary benefits, land, power)		Court Mage/Scholar (monthly retainer)	5-15+ Estrellas (highly variable)
Noble’s steward (monthly salary)	1-5 Estrellas		Wealthy merchant (annual profit)	0-100+ Estrellas (highly variable based on trade)