Latinum

• Metallic transdimensional element
  • Liquid at room temperature
    • Many alloys are solid
• Common medium of exchange and signifier of wealth
  • Due to its transdimensional nature, latinum (unlike earlier common mediums of exchange such as gold, silver, or platinum) cannot be handled or processed by replication or transporter technology
  • As a result, any processing must be done physically
    • Coupled with its natural rarity, this causes latinum to be valued by many near-Federation civilizations as a basis of currency
      • Especially widespread due to Ferengi influence
    • Because of its liquid state, latinum is most often traded in standardized gold-pressed mintings of particular size and weight
• First known to Humans mid-22nd century (ENT Novel: The Good That Men Do)
• Used as currency as early as mid-23rd century (DIS Novel: The Way to the Stars)