Bargelds

Bargelds is a fictional currency used in certain works of speculative fiction and tabletop role-playing games. The term is derived from the German word Bargeld, meaning cash, and is often employed to evoke a cash-based economy or to illustrate monetary concepts within a fictional world.

In these settings, Bargelds typically exists in physical forms such as coins and notes and may also have digital representations within the same universe. Denominations vary by setting, with small units for everyday transactions and higher-value notes for larger deals, taxation, or state budgeting. Security features and counterfeiting threats are common plot elements used to explore trust and governance.

Monetary policy in Bargelds-themed worlds is usually depicted through a central authority, such as the Bargelds Authority or a Central Bank, responsible for issuing currency, managing reserves, and influencing the supply of money. Inflation, debasement, and exchange-rate dynamics are often used to examine economic stability, public perception of authority, and the distribution of wealth within the story.

The term also serves narrative and world-building functions: it helps define social structures, power relations, and the everyday experience of citizens within the fictional economy. Authors and game masters may contrast Bargelds with digital currencies, commodity-based systems, or alternative payment methods to highlight thematic tensions.

Note: Bargelds is not a real-world currency. Any references to actual economic principles should be understood as belonging to the fictional context of the cited works.