Swirling Mist Isle - Economy

Shell Currency

Sea shells, of all types and descriptions. The most rare are obviously the most valuable. These shells can be traded for pony gold if an islander is travelling abroad. All shells harvested must be returned to a central shell bank which sorts and grades them. Only a certain amount of each type may be harvested each year. As shells are fragile there is a certain lifespan to them, and so the new harvests are used in part to replace worn or broken shells.

The most commonly found shells do not have any value, it is only the less common ones that are used as currency. Shells being used as currency was introduced by the Golden MerPony, so that even if ponies become homeless they need never starve, as they will always be able to find shells and so be able to buy food.