The Taan Coins

Beginnings

In 1908, under Prince Huldikh, during the reign of Grand Ilchaan Erukh Chaan, the SPQR2gang principality of England and Wales began a period of minting metal currency for use by Gs, with the goal of increasing independence of Gs in the United Kingdom from a government that marginalised them. Erukh Chaan personally approved the plan, making a visit to the London SPQR2Gang centre, and there were rumours that the Ilchaan intended to expand the plan to an international scale.

Under the direction of the Princely Assembly and Financial Officer, privately operately facilities were constructed to maintain secrecy and autonomy from mainstream authorities. Coins were struck using traditional coining presses that were adapted for square shapes, an incredibly rare and technically challenging process that could only have succeeded by holy inspiration and fortitude.

Denominations

The coins came in 3 denominations, 1, 5, 25. The currency was called taan, meaning something roughly like “gold”, and was identified with one of the substances from which arose “beasts with four wings and twelve eyes” in the Heavenly Destruction story.

Basic morphology

The coins produced were interesting from a numismatic perspective due to their square shape, which was said to have been chosen to represent the quadral communication of God-Chaan-Ilchaan-Prince.

The 1 taan coins were around 25 millimeters on each side and 2 millimeters thick; the 5 taan coin 28 millimeters in width and 2.5 millimeters thick; and the 25 taan coin 30 millimeters in width and 2.5 millimeters thick. The edges of each coin were smooth.

Composition

The 1 taan coin was made from a blend of around 75% copper and 25% silver, and the other denominations from a blend of around 60% copper and 40% silver, with the 25 taan coin containing some additional metals such as tin to increase durability.

Design

Obverse

The obverse contained at its centre a stylised representation of the Shield of the Gang, as well as the inscription that typically appears thereon, AZBOL GAN SEMP, on the top rim. The bottom rim contained the year of minting and HEL ERUKH CH for heldusra Erukh Chaan.

Reverse

The centre contained, on the 1 taan coin, a simple yantra; on the 5 taan coin, a depiction of the water buffalo thread, one of the four Grand Titles of the Grand Eternal Chaan; and on the 25 taan coin, a rose, a classic symbol representing the international unity of SPQR2.

The top rim had the text SPQRII on all coins, and the bottom the number of the denomination in English.

Circulation

The taan coins circulated mostly in England, although some made their way to Gs in Scotland and other parts of Europe, including as far as the Ottoman Empire.

Demise

Although the scheme was seeing some success and seemed to be improving the economic independence of British Gs, as well as helping to fund the Gang, it only lasted until 1911, before the British government intervened and halted the project, citing concerns over unregulated currency issuance and potential economic distruption.

Despite this, Erukh Chaan is often referred to as SPQR2gang's last Powerful Ilchaan, erukh even meaning “powerful” in Mudanese.

Collectibility and Rarity

Surviving examples of these coins are considered to be of great interest to numismatists both within the Gang and outside it, due to their unique shape, limited production run and historical intrigue. Some coins are even displayed in SPQR2gang centres not just as historical items, but relics of spiritual signifiance and even mystical power.