diff --git a/client/scenes/shell/MainWindowShell.tscn b/client/scenes/shell/MainWindowShell.tscn
index f38f727..2845bf3 100644
--- a/client/scenes/shell/MainWindowShell.tscn
+++ b/client/scenes/shell/MainWindowShell.tscn
@@ -154,10 +154,10 @@ layout_mode = 2
 theme_type_variation = &"Mono"
 text = "MP 18 / 30"
 
-[node name="Gold" type="Label" parent="Split/World/CommandBar/Vitals"]
+[node name="Purse" type="Label" parent="Split/World/CommandBar/Vitals"]
 layout_mode = 2
 theme_type_variation = &"Mono"
-text = "◈ 1240 gp"
+text = "◈ 3s 47c"
 
 [node name="Consumables" type="HBoxContainer" parent="Split/World/CommandBar"]
 layout_mode = 2
diff --git a/client/scripts/ui/shell/main_window_shell.gd b/client/scripts/ui/shell/main_window_shell.gd
index fcdce62..1e0920c 100644
--- a/client/scripts/ui/shell/main_window_shell.gd
+++ b/client/scripts/ui/shell/main_window_shell.gd
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ var _http: HTTPRequest
 @onready var _tokens: HBoxContainer = $Split/World/TurnRail/Col/Tokens
 @onready var _hp: Label = $Split/World/CommandBar/Vitals/HP
 @onready var _mp: Label = $Split/World/CommandBar/Vitals/MP
-@onready var _gold: Label = $Split/World/CommandBar/Vitals/Gold
+@onready var _purse: Label = $Split/World/CommandBar/Vitals/Purse
 @onready var _consumables: HBoxContainer = $Split/World/CommandBar/Consumables
 
 
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ func _side_color(e: TurnEntry) -> Color:
 func _bind_vitals() -> void:
 	_hp.text = "HP %d / %d" % [_state.vitals["hp"], _state.vitals["hp_max"]]
 	_mp.text = "MP %d / %d" % [_state.vitals["mp"], _state.vitals["mp_max"]]
-	_gold.text = "◈ %d gp" % _state.vitals["gold"]
-	_gold.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Palette.GOLD_BRIGHT)
+	_purse.text = "◈ %s" % Currency.format(_state.vitals["purse_copper"])
+	_purse.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Palette.GOLD_BRIGHT)
 
 
 func _bind_consumables() -> void:
diff --git a/client/scripts/ui/shell/shell_state.gd b/client/scripts/ui/shell/shell_state.gd
index 27caa65..89b1e7c 100644
--- a/client/scripts/ui/shell/shell_state.gd
+++ b/client/scripts/ui/shell/shell_state.gd
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ extends RefCounted
 ## 2a; later systems (combat vitals, inventory consumables) become the writers.
 ## No Luck/LCK value lives here — it is never surfaced (§7).
 
-var vitals: Dictionary = {"hp": 0, "hp_max": 0, "mp": 0, "mp_max": 0, "gold": 0}
+var vitals: Dictionary = {"hp": 0, "hp_max": 0, "mp": 0, "mp_max": 0, "purse_copper": 0}
 var turn_order: Array[TurnEntry] = []
 var consumables: Array = []
 var round_label: String = ""
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func toggle_dock() -> bool:
 
 static func seed() -> ShellState:
 	var s := ShellState.new()
-	s.vitals = {"hp": 42, "hp_max": 60, "mp": 18, "mp_max": 30, "gold": 1240}
+	s.vitals = {"hp": 42, "hp_max": 60, "mp": 18, "mp_max": 30, "purse_copper": 347}
 	s.turn_order = [
 		TurnEntry.new("EL", 17, &"you", true, false),
 		TurnEntry.new("DW", 12, &"ally"),
diff --git a/client/tests/unit/test_shell_state.gd b/client/tests/unit/test_shell_state.gd
index cfea412..2319320 100644
--- a/client/tests/unit/test_shell_state.gd
+++ b/client/tests/unit/test_shell_state.gd
@@ -16,7 +16,13 @@ func test_seed_vitals():
 	assert_eq(s.vitals["hp_max"], 60)
 	assert_eq(s.vitals["mp"], 18)
 	assert_eq(s.vitals["mp_max"], 30)
-	assert_eq(s.vitals["gold"], 1240)
+	assert_eq(s.vitals["purse_copper"], 347)
+	assert_false("gold" in s.vitals, "the flat gold placeholder is gone")
+
+
+func test_seed_purse_renders_as_denominations():
+	var s := ShellState.seed()
+	assert_eq(Currency.format(s.vitals["purse_copper"]), "3s 47c")
 
 
 func test_seed_turn_order():