Rather than using gold in Path of Exile, you will trade various items, such as orbs and scrolls. These items can be exchanged for better items, or used by themselves. For example, a Scroll of Wisdom may be used to identify a previously unidentified item, but you can also use it as currency with certain vendors.

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Currency items are split into different categories, so we are first going to go over the basic currency that can be used at multiple locations. It's important to remember that you can pretty much trade any item with other players. Rather than go over every item, we are going to talk about accepted currencies at vendors, as well as common items that you will trade.

Common Currency

This is a common item type that you will encounter as you journey through Wraeclast. Each of these currencies is not valued at the same price; for example, an Exalted Orb is more valuable than a Portal Scroll, so you can get more items with it. Exalted Orbs are also the baseline currency if you want to trade valuable items with other players.

Common currency can be used at vendors, but you can also use these items on your own gear. Overall, it's good to have a few extras in your storage. Rather than using all of your basic currency items at the start of the game, try to save them for later.

Prophecy Currency/Silver Coins

From time to time, you may also come across Silver Coins. This is an item used as currency at Navali. In exchange for these coins, Navali will give you a prophecy; you can find Navali in every town after she is rescued from The Climb. This is an early quest, so you will have access to her shortly after starting your journey.

Silver Coins have no other use and are not functional like the items listed above.

Divination Cards

divination card trading screen

Divination Cards are cards that can be exchanged for certain items. The exchangeable item will be listed on the card, as well as how many cards need to be exchanged.

In the image above, you can see the Gemcutter's Promise card, with 1/3 on the left side. This means that you will need three of these cards to get this item.

Divination cards can be exchanged with Tasuni in Highgate, as well as Navali if she has been invited to your hideout.

Shards

alteration shard in player stash

Shards are essentially fragments of currencies. You will obtain shards as your exchange items with vendors. With enough of a certain type of shard, you will be able to piece together a new currency.

Below, you can find the currency items that have shards, as well as how many of these shards will create the item.

Scroll of Wisdom: 5 Scroll Fragments

Orb of Alchemy: 20 Alchemy Shards

Orb of Alteration: 20 Alteration Shards

Orb of Transmutation: 20 Transmutation Shards

Mirror of Kalandra: 20 Mirror Shards

That's all there is to know about common currencies in Path of Exile! Don't forget to save some of your currency items. Many of these items will become increasingly more useful as you level up your character.