M.E. Currency - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Fool-of-a-Took · 10-15-2002, 01:37 AM

I was just wondering if anyone knew about the monetary system in Middle Earth. I know it's a bit of a boring enquiry, but I cannot remember, whilst reading Tolkiens books, any mention of how things are bought and sold.
I imagine a lot of bartering went on between neighbouring areas such as Gondor and Rohan but how for instance did the hobbits pay for a beer at 'The Green Dragon'?
Also on this subject can anyone tell me why Theoden would want to sell nine of his black horses to Sauron, a sworn enemy? surely the king wasn't that desperate for cash!

Estelyn Telcontar · 10-15-2002, 02:59 AM

Here are a couple of the previous discussions on the topic of money in Middle-Earth:
Money in ME
Did Hobbits have Money?
A very interesting discussion on trade in Middle-earth is on the Coffee! thread.

lathspell · 10-15-2002, 05:11 AM

eeemm... Fool-of-a-Took, where did you read that Theoden would want to sell nine black horses to Sauron?

In the LotR stands a rumour that they were paying tribute to Sauron, but in TTT that rumour is utterly destroyed by Theoden, saying that they do not pay anything to him and are not in allegiance, but are as yet not in open war with him. The slaves of the Dark Lord made raides through Rohan, stealing the horses (always the black ones).

So, now you made me curious if you read otherwise in one of the books.

greetings,
lathspell

Fool-of-a-Took · 10-15-2002, 10:02 AM

Apologies Lathspell, it's a few months since I re-read TTT and for some reason I recall Theoden saying that he sold the horses when clearly he didn't.
Must be the drugs I'm on for my cold!!

10-15-2002, 01:37 AM	#1
Fool-of-a-Took Pile O'Bones Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Newcastle England Posts: 14	M.E. Currency I was just wondering if anyone knew about the monetary system in Middle Earth. I know it's a bit of a boring enquiry, but I cannot remember, whilst reading Tolkiens books, any mention of how things are bought and sold. I imagine a lot of bartering went on between neighbouring areas such as Gondor and Rohan but how for instance did the hobbits pay for a beer at 'The Green Dragon'? Also on this subject can anyone tell me why Theoden would want to sell nine of his black horses to Sauron, a sworn enemy? surely the king wasn't that desperate for cash! __________________ ...and his eye, piercing all shadows, looked across the plain to the door that he had made;and the magnitude of his own folly was revealed to him in a blinding flash.

10-15-2002, 02:59 AM	#2
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Here are a couple of the previous discussions on the topic of money in Middle-Earth: Money in ME Did Hobbits have Money? A very interesting discussion on trade in Middle-earth is on the Coffee! thread. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

10-15-2002, 05:11 AM	#3
lathspell Regenerating Ringkeeper Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Holland Posts: 757	eeemm... Fool-of-a-Took, where did you read that Theoden would want to sell nine black horses to Sauron? In the LotR stands a rumour that they were paying tribute to Sauron, but in TTT that rumour is utterly destroyed by Theoden, saying that they do not pay anything to him and are not in allegiance, but are as yet not in open war with him. The slaves of the Dark Lord made raides through Rohan, stealing the horses (always the black ones). So, now you made me curious if you read otherwise in one of the books. greetings, lathspell __________________ 'You?' cried Frodo. 'Yes, I, Gandalf the Grey,' said the wizard solemnly. 'There are many powers in the world, for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am. Against some I have not yet been measured. But my time is coming.'

10-15-2002, 10:02 AM	#4
Fool-of-a-Took Pile O'Bones Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Newcastle England Posts: 14	Apologies Lathspell, it's a few months since I re-read TTT and for some reason I recall Theoden saying that he sold the horses when clearly he didn't. Must be the drugs I'm on for my cold!! __________________ ...and his eye, piercing all shadows, looked across the plain to the door that he had made;and the magnitude of his own folly was revealed to him in a blinding flash.