Gold, Credits, and Other Valuable Items in Star Wars

Money talks — even in a galaxy far, far away. But if you’re strolling the stalls of Mos Eisley™ on Tatooine™ or smuggling contraband for Maul’s™ Crimson Dawn™, what’s the currency used in Star Wars™? There are definitely tried and true methods for paying the price, as any bounty hunter will tell you.

Across the star systems, within the Outer Rim™ and throughout the Core Worlds™, there is a delicate galactic economy in place. Over the centuries, various organizations and syndicates have tried to monopolize the galaxy’s monetary realms. Many have even been successful, for a time. Ever heard of the Empire? No matter who is in charge, currency holds a lot of sway in Star Wars. Let’s invest some time in understanding how and why.

Credits Are the Currency of Star Wars

Most merchants in the Star Wars galaxy accept Galactic Credit Standards, more commonly and quickly referred to as credits. This currency has appeared in token form as well as coins, seemingly made from metals of varying values — not unlike Earth’s own coin systems. Of course, with the galaxy’s turbulent political history, there have been multiple credit systems used throughout Star Wars media. Usually, the credit currency in use depends on the ruling system of government. In other words, the Galactic Republic (the eras before the Empire) used Galactic Republic credits. As the galaxy transitioned into Imperial rule, Republic credits were rendered useless. They were replaced by Imperial credits. After Emperor Palpatine™ was overthrown, Imperial credits were phased out with New Republic Credits.

Despite the widespread use of credits, shadier characters preferred alternative methods of payment, something more “real.” Qui-Gon Jinn™ experienced this when he dealt with Watto™ the Toydarian™ slave owner. This interaction would prove a pivotal point in galactic economic history thanks to young Anakin Skywalker™, who belonged to Watto at the time. Later, during the New Republic era, the casino planet Canto Bight™ even manufactured their own credits made from a metal called aurodium™, which appeared very similar to our familiar gold.

How Valuable Is Gold in Star Wars?

Speaking of aurodium, many Star Wars fans wonder how credits might translate to our own monetary systems. While gold is our most valuable and well-known Earthly metal, it’s merely a material in the Star Wars galaxy. It’s estimated that gold would be worth about 10-15 galactic credits. Not bad, but not the most valuable. For perspective, one Galactic Credit Standard is often converted to roughly $4 USD.

Actually, if we’re considering valuable metals, the most sought-after metal in Star Wars is probably beskar™. This Mandalorian™-made armor is very rare and very valuable due to its strength — it can withstand direct blaster fire. But beware: Mandalorians don’t take kindly to outsiders wearing their sacred armor. While beskar is one of the most valuable materials in Star Wars, even infamous bounty hunters like Boba Fett™ prefer credits most of the time. When he took on the role of Daimyo in Mos Espa, his subjects showered him in credits as tribute.

How Much Did the Death Star Cost?

It’s probably best to stick to credits, even if that puts you in line with crime lords like Jabba the Hutt™. Out of spite, his bounty on Han Solo’s™ head is said to have been worth about 224,000 credits. At the same time, the Imperial bounties on Han Solo and Luke Skywalker™ were 50,000 and 60,000, respectively. That one hurt Han’s pride a little.

But the biggest credit price tag of them all undoubtedly belongs to the Death Star™. While the Empire would never willingly reveal their economic plans to just anyone, it’s easily surmised that such a weapon would cost billions, if not trillions of credits. The time, the effort, the sheer scope of the project is enough to make us rest uneasy. To the Empire’s credit, they sure did have vision. Evil vision, but vision nonetheless.

If you had unlimited galactic credits, what would you do first? Share your spending plans with other Star Wars fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!