Whose face is on the Gil coin?

[Wadoka]

So...um... of what material are the gil coins made?

And (looks shifty-eyed here)... is there a mint, with unenthusiastic, poorly-compensated guardians?

[Enkidoh]

Well, from what I'm aware gil is made from gold, or rather, using the apparent etymology of the word 'gil' (which apparently comes from the word 'gild', which means to coat another metal in a thin layer of gold), they're made from a base metal that has been coated in gold. Electroplating is a modern way of 'gilding' incidentally.

And for that matter, I can't remember where I saw it, but I'm pretty sure there is an example of counterfeiting gil within FFXIV (I know counterfeit gil was a quest item in FFXI as well), so it's clearly easy to make fake gil lore-wise, which only makes the gilding name reference ring true even more.

[Catapult]

And for that matter, I can't remember where I saw it, but I'm pretty sure there is an example of counterfeiting gil within FFXIV (I know counterfeit gil was a quest item in FFXI as well), so it's clearly easy to make fake gil lore-wise, which only makes the gilding name reference ring true even more.

Are you thinking of the v1 Pugilist quests and the playing chips of the Platinum Mirage, or something else?

[Felis]

Maybe gil are like euro.
One side is the standard side, in every city-state the same.
And on the other side a city-state specific motive.

[Camate]

It seems our hardworking French and German colleagues beat us to the punch this time! Here’s the official English with a few extra tidbits to make it up to y'all:

---

The currency now commonly referred to as “gil” was officially adopted by the city-states of Eorzea roughly one-hundred years ago, as a means to strengthen trade relations in the wake of the Autumn War.

Prior to this, each city-state minted and regulated its own currency, which led to unpredictable exchange rates and prompted many traders to use ancient Allagan pieces in lieu of other coinage. Recognizing the wisdom of the practice (and desiring greater control over the money supply), the leaders of Eorzea announced the creation of new gil, and further decreed that its value would be standardized across all nations. Moreover, to help encourage adoption, it was designed in the image of its precursors.

Initially, as an expression of solidarity, these coins were to be engraved with images of the Twelve, rather than those of individuals beloved of a single nation. As time passed and the gil rose to prominence, however, the policy was relaxed, and the coin came to bear an ever increasing variety of motifs. Those minted to commemorate the reformation of the Eorzean Alliance are a notable example from recent years.

But to finally answer the question which prompted this discussion: the face on the gil coin icon in the UI is that of Nymeia, the Spinner. For simplicity’s sake, we’ve elected to represent all gil with this graphic.

Thanks Corvinoobus for answering that million gil question!

[Kyan]

Qiqirn seem to wear "coins" on their earrings - have you ever looked? It would be fitting for a race that seem to love money, gems and all things of value - things which they look to carry on their persons at all times.

Have you ever zoomed in on these coins? They look to have a face on them of an eagle wearing a crown. I have taken a screenshot which I'll try and upload from my PS4 - but do we have an origin for Qiqirn (are they from the East?) and perhaps where this currency, if it is, comes from?