Coins


 * For other currency types in RuneScape, see: Trading Sticks, Tokkul, Pieces of Eight, and Ectotokens

Coins are the most common form of currency in RuneScape. They represent the value of virtually every single item in the game, as well as various services offered throughout.

Coins are small gold nuggets, roughly cylindrical, and are stackable items. For piles of coins containing less than 100,000, the amount is rendered precisely, such as "31633". When coins are in stacks of 100,000 up to 10,000,000, the amount is rendered in k (thousand) and the last three numbers are clipped. For example, values from 7,644,000 to 7,644,999 are all rendered as "7644k". Values of 10,000,000 and up are rendered with an M (million), and the final 100,000ths are cut. The entire range of coins from 361,000,000 to 361,999,999 is displayed as "361M". However, when the text gets cut for (K) or (M) the exact number of coins will be displayed if you examine the pile.

Players may not carry more than roughly 2.1 billion coins at a time (specifically 231-1, or 2,147,483,647, as limited by Java).

Players
Coins are the most often traded item; players prefer to trade their services or items for coins more often than for any other item. Coins are also referred to as gold pieces (gp) by players, although this term in uncommonly implemented in the programming. "GP" is only said ingame by the brewer dwarf in Keldagrim. The reason given is that he prefers to associate with gold at the expense of proper terminology.

Like the game, values are often abbreviated when dealing with large amounts. Players however, tend to abbreviate values between 1,000 to 1,000,000 with K and greater values with M. For example, 49,000 coins is commonly called "49K" and 6,000,000 coins are called "6M". B (billion) is seldom used as most players do not possess such a large number of coins.

Getting Coins
There are many ways for a player to earn coins ingame. This is not a complete list.

Skills
One way is to use skills (Mining, Fishing, Cooking etc.) to sell to the local general store or to other players. Bulk supplies are normally worth a lot more to other players than to stores, though the best deals are normally found on the official or fansite forums.

Merchanting
Another way of getting money is by selling items to other players higher than its shop price. An example is buying a mithril pickaxe for 1,300gp, then selling it off for 4k. This way, you make a profit instead of just getting back what you spent on the item in the first place.

Combat
Killling other players in the wilderness, for a really good drop, is a dream of many. Any player with items worth taking, is likely to be a tough fight unless ambushed on the way back, having used all their food. Most killable NPCs and monsters beyond mere vermin have the potential to drop coins, or other items which can be sold. Higher level monsters tend to have higher value drops.

Scavenging
If the player involved in a combat does not collect their drop, it will appear in around 30 seconds. Left items are free for all, though arrows are the subject of some debate. If the monster kills the player, then the player's unsaved items appear immediately. There are also a few item spawns which can be collected.

Items are occasionally discarded in banks, due to lack of bank space - mostly low value items, but often things that would be worth a few coins at a store.

Sometimes, someone may drop some ore. They may be Power Leveling, take as much ore as you like, they won't mind.

Begging
The least popular way is begging. Begging usually never works, and the player who does so is often flamed and are labeled as 'noobs'.

It is often frowned upon and may earn a place for the beggar on most players' ignore lists. Some players do donate gifts, such as sets of full iron, to lower levels, but it's best not to ask or pursue a gift of this sort too strongly.

Running
The most common example on free-to-play is "Air running" on World 16.

In return for bringing 25 un-noted Rune essence to the air altar south of Falador, the players training runecrafting there pay 2-2.5k coins and 25 noted essence, so the runner is being paid for un-noting and delivery. An alternative payment is 125 Air runes and 25 noted essence. It pays far better than begging.