Briggs marched into the mint with his military attire, shoulders square, back straight.
It was a large stone building, looking similar to that of an ancient castle, complete with a courtyard for breaks and visitors.
However, Briggs had no interest in admiring the scenery. Marix had given him an important task, and despite his excitable nature, there was a dark gleam in his eyes.
The sound of his boots was silenced by the overwhelming noise of the clanking of the mints as workers diligently created coins for the new year which usually went into circulation mid-summer.
He took a quick stroll around the large smelting hall, glancing at the mints themselves. Not a one had anything similar to what he was working with. All held that same round shape the coins of their continent did.
A loud huff escaped his lips as he traveled up towards the workshop, his eyes sharp and ready to catch any sort of suspicious behavior.
Was someone in the mint creating their own coins? Were they used for code somehow? If that was occurring here, Briggs would uncover it; his senses were on the highest alert.
"Good sir, do you have a moment to spare? I come to you with official military business." Briggs said, his face expressionless as he held up his military badge.
The Die Engraver was sitting there sketching, coming up with new designs to propose to the King for the special release coin that they'd discussed for Winter's Melt Day.
He looked up and immediately set his designs aside, stood up and saluted.
"Sir! I always have a moment to spare for our soldiers. What can I help you with?"
Briggs tossed the coin pouch on his table.
"This is strictly confidential, I trust you understand that nothing about what we are about to discuss shall leave this room or your lips again after I depart."
The Die Engraver nodded and sat back down as he opened the pouch and poured its contents onto his desk.
He looked up at Lieutenant General Briggs, a look of befuddlement on his face.
"Sir.....these are?"
"These are coins that we confiscated off of a suspicious person at the Viraaz Flower Festival a few days ago. As you aware, these aren't coins in circulation here. You wouldn't happen to be able to tell me anything about them, could you?"
The Die Engraver began to examine them with his magnifier desk lamp.
"Sir, I mean no disrespect, but is this meant to be some sort of joke?"
Briggs' eyes narrowed, "Ahem! Mind your tongue! Do you believe I'd waste a trip to play a joke on you of all people?"
The Die Engraver shook his head, "No, I suppose not, although I just find it odd. It's an interesting design but, I mean come on Lieutenant General.....you have to admit this is funny."
Briggs slammed his hand down on the desk. "And what is so funny?"
The Die Engraver pointed to the leaf, "This is a mint leaf. The jade, green, green like the mint. A mint leaf on a suspiciously minted coin? Either someone is playing a joke or whoever created it has a good sense of humor."
Briggs took one of the coins and looked it over again, "As far as I am aware, it's no joke. What would the significance of this be? Do you recognize the design at all? Surely during your studies you met others in your trade."
The Die Engraver shook his head again, "I'm sorry, I can't tell you much of anything in terms of a direct answer. What I can tell you is that the design, from what I can tell, is interesting, whoever designed it must have knowledge. I can't imagine an amateur would think of setting a jade in a coin like this. As for the jade, well, whoever made it has money. I don't think just any random citizen would be able to make this many."
"Do you have any suggestions on where to look next?" Briggs said with a huff as he ran his gloved hand through his hair.
"Go up the stairs to the Assay Room and discuss with the Assayer. His name is Kravitz. Tell him Gavinro sent you to inquire further." Gavinro said, as he gathered up the coins and placed them back into the pouch, "He may be able to tell you more."
Briggs took the pouch and headed up the stairs, following Gavinro's directions to the Assayer's Room.
He knocked on the open door as he entered.
"Excuse me, Mr. Kravitz? I come with official military business on recommendation from Gavinro the Die Engraver. Do you have a moment to spare?"
The Assayer room was full of different metals, gems and different tools. Kravitz stood at a large glass table, examining an amethyst.
"Come, come. No need to knock. What is it you are here for?"
Briggs tossed the pouch to him.
"These coins. Gavinro told me to inquire further with you. This is confidential information and should not leave this room. We confiscated these off of a suspicious person. What can you tell me about these coins?"
Kravitz eyed Briggs up and down as he pulled the coins out, then he examined them with his loupe.
"And what is it exactly you are hoping to learn about these coins?"
"Anything at all. Their origin is unknown. If you can tell me anything that might be a clue to their origin, or if you recognize the craftsmanship from anywhere. You would be of great service."
Kravitz continued to examine it, then sat it down and scratched the back of his head.
"What is it? Out with it!" Briggs demanded.
"Well. It's pure copper," Kravitz pointed with his pinky, "You see this green color? Copper oxidizes like this. I'd say these coins are either very old or sustained a great deal of water damage."
Briggs leaned over the table and followed along with what Kravitz was saying, "What does it being pure copper mean?"
"It means that whoever made this, knows what they're doing. The weird thing is, though, that it's set with jade. Who on earth would set a copper piece with jade? It makes no sense. I mean, the jade is worth far more than the copper. If you had this coin. It would make more sense to remove the jade from it and sell it as its own piece. You'd make more than what the actual copper in the coin is worth."
"So, what does that tell us?"
"Well. It tells us that, I mean in my opinion, these coins aren't used as actual currency, they're not meant to purchase goods."
Briggs smirked, "So you'd say they'd be used as spy currency?"
Kravitz wrinkled his nose and scratched the back of his head, "I can't say for certain but I'm not sure what the purpose of that would be. Where would you spend it? What would the point be?"
"Perhaps to do was you said? Melt it down and remove the jade?"
"Well then why not transfer the jade? I think this coin is much more suspicious than just a pouch full of jade, or jade leaves. I'm not sure what it's point would be as a spy currency."
"I see. Well, in your opinion what do you think this would be used for?"
Kravitz pursed his lips, "I think maybe meet with the Mint Master, Yorden. I just test the minerals and all of that. His office is at the end of the hall."
Briggs then entered the Mint Master's office and repeated the whole 'military business, it's confidential' shpiel as he offered him the coins.
"Kravitz said that you could provide me some insight on the possible usage of these coins."
Yorden too, examined the coins and gave Briggs a large shrug of his shoulders.
"Hard to tell. There's a lot of detail that's impossible to see now from the damage they've sustained. If you want, I can call our jeweler. Hand him off some of the coins, get them cleaned up and see if any of these details come through. As of right now?"
He shrugged again and wiggled his lips, "Maybe a commemoration coin. Maybe something from the royal mint. Could be some sort of promotional item."
"So you don't believe this is used as any sort of currency."
Yorden tilted his head and tsked, "I think it would be mighty stupid to use this as currency."
Briggs rubbed his chin. "I'll return these and inquire about your offer. I will return within two days. Ensure you have him on standby and ready to go, as we will need this information as soon as possible. I'm positive I will receive the order."
Yorden nodded, "Alright. I'm here every day until 10pm. I will be awaiting your orders. I'll send word for him to bring over the necessary equipment in the meantime so we can get on it right away.
"Perfect, and I will have compensation prepared in case either of you find anything."