> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.4thewords.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Currencies

> Understand Coins, Crystals, and Stempos: how to earn them and what to spend them on.

## Overview

4thewords runs on three currencies. Each one has a different purpose. Knowing what each does (and how to get more) saves a lot of confusion as you play.

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Card img="https://mintcdn.com/4thewords/Tr5VjWJkFdOojZRz/images/currency-coins.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Tr5VjWJkFdOojZRz&q=85&s=dec443f07b95ec345209d3a0d83d260d" title="Coins" width="400" height="400" data-path="images/currency-coins.png">
    The everyday currency. Flows in from battles and item sales, flows out at markets. You'll always have Coins coming and going.
  </Card>

  <Card img="https://mintcdn.com/4thewords/Tr5VjWJkFdOojZRz/images/currency-crystals.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Tr5VjWJkFdOojZRz&q=85&s=611388bd5b0921c5a64d38c61e3ec1f7" title="Crystals" width="400" height="400" data-path="images/currency-crystals.png">
    The premium currency, but with real free-earning paths. Referrals, Community Pool, quests, and more. Used for rare and cosmetic items.
  </Card>

  <Card img="https://mintcdn.com/4thewords/Tr5VjWJkFdOojZRz/images/currency-stempos.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Tr5VjWJkFdOojZRz&q=85&s=0f1d4e4c776aa50f9eb9d1a2045e426b" title="Stempos" width="400" height="400" data-path="images/currency-stempos.png">
    Mostly used for your writing streak. Spend them to repair missed days or pre-fill future ones. Bought with Coins or Crystals from the Stempo Store.
  </Card>
</Columns>

## How It Works

### Seeing Your Balances

Your Coins and Crystals are always visible in the game header by clicking on your Avatar medal in the top right corner. You'll also see them displayed at the top of most screens.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/4thewords/6gxP4Hqld889M5vD/images/crystals-header.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6gxP4Hqld889M5vD&q=85&s=67d745c42ba47cc7f93ffed6c0db0c94" alt="The game header showing Crystals and Coins balances" width="356" height="54" data-path="images/crystals-header.png" />
</Frame>

> **Where to find it:** Left sidebar → **Hero** → **Inventory** [Open in 4TW ↗](https://app.4thewords.com/hero/inventory)

The top of the Inventory screen shows your current Crystals and Coins balances.

Your Stempos count appears on the **Streaks** page (left sidebar → **Journal** → **Streaks**), in the **Stempo Store** section.

### Coins

Coins are the everyday in-game currency. You'll earn them constantly just by playing.

* **Defeat monsters in battle.** Winning a battle awards Coins as part of your loot. Your Luck stat affects how much you get — higher Luck means better rewards.
* **Sell items from your inventory.** Open **Hero → Inventory**, tap any item, and select the sell option. Items sell for their listed sell price in Coins.
* **Spend them at bazaars and markets.** Most vendors in the Adventure world price their goods in Coins.

<Tip>
  Coins are plentiful. Don't be afraid to sell items you don't need. Cluttered inventory is harder to manage, and the Coins usually come right back from your next battle.
</Tip>

### Crystals

Crystals are the premium currency. Some items in the game are only available for Crystals, but there are real ways to earn them for free. You don't have to purchase them.

#### Free sources

| Source               | How it works                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Sign up bonus        | New accounts start with 22 free Crystals                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| Refer a friend       | When someone signs up with your referral link and **completes a paid subscription**, you both receive Crystals. Signup alone doesn't trigger it — they need to subscribe. Crystals arrive after payment confirms (up to 48 hours). Find your link in **Account → Referrals** |
| Community Pool       | A shared fund that distributes Crystals to participating players. Visit **Community → Community Pool** to learn how it works and opt in                                                                                                                                      |
| Quests and events    | Some quests and special events award Crystals as rewards                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| Level up and Streaks | High levels and streak milestone rewards include Crystals                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |

#### Purchasing Crystals

Go to **Account → Store → Crystals**. Crystals can be purchased via PayPal or card.

<Note>
  You can also tap the **+** icon next to your Crystal balance in the header to jump straight to the purchase page.
</Note>

Crystals buy premium and cosmetic items — anything in adventure markets and stores priced in Crystals rather than Coins.

<Info>
  Crystals are *not* earned directly from winning battles. The free paths are referrals, the signup bonus, Community Pool participation, and occasional quest rewards.
</Info>

### Stempos

Stempos are a special-purpose currency for **writing streak management**. You won't use them in battles or markets. Spend them to repair missed streak days (fill in gaps on your calendar) or pre-fill future days in advance if you know you'll be away.

> **Where to find it:** Left sidebar → **Journal** → **Streaks** → scroll to the **Stempo Store** section [Open in 4TW ↗](https://app.4thewords.com/journal/streaks)

The Stempo Store is on your Streaks page. It lists packs priced in Coins or Crystals — tap any pack to see details and buy. Your current count shows as **Stempos in inventory: X** in that same section.

Stempos can also be crafted in-game once you unlock the Gansu Watering Hole area in the Desert region of the Valley.

<Tip>
  The [Streak Maintenance](/writing/writing-streaks/streak-maintenance) page walks through the full repair process: how to select dates, what repairs cost, time limits, and how to save Stempos by reserving days in advance.
</Tip>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Where do I see how many Stempos I have?">
    Go to **Journal → Streaks** and scroll to the **Stempo Store** section. It shows **Stempos in inventory: X**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I earn Crystals without paying?">
    Yes. Every account starts with 22 free Crystals. You also earn Crystals by referring friends, through the Community Pool, and from certain quest and event rewards.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why can't I buy something with Coins: it says I need Crystals?">
    Some items in bazaars and stores are priced in Crystals rather than Coins. These are usually rarer or cosmetic items. Check your Crystal balance and either earn more through free sources or purchase them from **Account → Store → Crystals**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I buy Stempos?">
    Go to **Journal → Streaks** and scroll down to the **Stempo Store**. You'll see packs listed there with their prices.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do Crystals expire?">
    No. Crystals, Coins, and Stempos do not expire. They stay in your account until you spend them. Items in general don't expire in 4thewords.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My Crystal or Coin balance looks wrong.">
    Navigate away from the screen and back. Balances update after each transaction. If the number still looks off after a battle or purchase, try refreshing the page. If it persists, contact support.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I purchased Crystals but they haven't appeared yet.">
    Crystal purchases through the payment processor sometimes take a minute to process. Wait a moment and refresh the page. If they still haven't arrived after a few minutes, contact support with your order details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The Stempo Store section isn't showing on my Streaks page.">
    Using Stempos to repair a streak is only available to Member & Pro subscribers.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

**Where your currencies get used**

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="fire" href="/writing/writing-streaks/overview" title="Writing Streaks">
    Keep your consecutive streak alive, earn Wings and Medals, and repair missed days with Stempos.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="credit-card" href="/account/plans-and-pricing" title="Plans & Pricing">
    Compare Free, Member, Pro, and Lifetime plans, manage your billing, and redeem gift codes.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>