Latium: The Star Trek Universe's Currency
In the utopian future Star Trek imagines, humans have gone beyond mere need for money. Many episodes, including Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, show this idea when Captain James T. Kirk tells Dr. Gillian Taylor straight forwardly that money is non-existent in the future. In Star Trek: The Next Generation, similarly, 1990s financier Ralph Offenhouse, thrown into the 24th century, finds his painstakingly created financial plans rendered useless.
As Captain Jean-luc Picard deftly tells Offenhouse, "People are no more fixated on the accumulation of things. We have eradicated hunger, desire, the need for objects. We have evolved from infancy. Particularly among humans, the lack of money inside the United Federation of Planets is a fascinating thought experiment that highlights mankind's amazing development in the Star Trek universe. The truth is, though, that the future's economic system cannot run without some kind of money.
From Latinm, what is?
The economy of the Star Trek future is driven by the rare and irrepliable liquid substance Latinm. Latinm is liquid, thus when used as physical currency, it is encased in gold; hence, the frequent mention of "gold-pressed Latinm." The gold itself is not intrinsically valuable; the Latinm is what really has value. Various Latinm values are pressed into slips, strips, bars, bricks, and braces; strips are the most often used daily for transactions. Although Latinm is naturally liquid, it can be used to plate objects so enhancing their luxury and value.
Latin Denominations
The Latinm denominations are set as follows:
One strip from 100 slips.
Twenty strips = one bar.
Unknown bar count: one brick
Unknown brick count: one brace
Latinm: Obsession of the Ferengi
Without including the Ferengi, whose quest of this precious substance is legendary within the Star Trek universe, no conversation of Latinm is complete. Particularly Quark in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the Ferengi provide priceless analysis of the several social and material worth of Latinm. Often referencing Latinm, the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition produce idioms that translate it as wealth in all its manifestations.
Being the resident capitalist society of Star Trek, the Ferengi drive the universe's economy, hence Latinm is a generally accepted currency. Along with the Ferengi, Cardassians, Klingons, and non-Federation worlds use Latinm in their dealings.
Latinm: From denominations to kg
Latinm's value first expressed in kg. Still, the standardized values—introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine—became rather common.
Does Star Trek pay Starfleet?
Though they are "paid" in other ways, Starfleet officials might not get conventional financial compensation for their service. 21st-century Lily Sloane, a resident of Star Trek: First Contact, is shocked to find Captain Jean-luc Picard does not get paid for his Starfleet responsibilities. Picard stays unconcerned, saying "The economics of the future is somewhat different... the acquisition of wealth is no more the driving force in our life. We endeavor to improve the rest of mankind as well as ourselves. For Picard and other Starfleet leaders, fulfillment comes from the excitement of discovery, the service itself, and the acknowledgement of their achievements.
Latinm: A Needed Stipend
Though the Federation boasts advanced social values, Starfleet officials are not entirely cut off from engaging in the greater economy of non-Federation societies. Relic officers receive a stipend of Latinm to help them participate in these outside locations. This stipend helps them to buy food and beverages, pay for other needs, gamble at Quark's Bar and buy drinks.
Stationed far from Starfleet Headquarters, Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager uses Federation technology to barter with Delta Quadrant civilizations. Although Earth money might be a relic of the past in the Star Trek universe, Latinm is essential for mankind's involvement in cosmic trade.
