John Wick is a popular film franchise that centers around a former hitman who seeks revenge against the criminal underworld that has wronged him. Throughout the films, we see a variety of coins used as a form of currency among the assassins and other members of the underworld. In this article, we will explore the value and significance of these coins in the John Wick universe.
The coins used in John Wick are known as “gold coins,” and they serve as a form of currency among the members of the criminal underworld. These coins are not ordinary currency, as they hold a significant amount of value and are only accepted by a select group of people. Each coin is made of pure gold, and their value is determined by their weight and purity. The coins are used to pay for various services within the underworld, such as assassinations, information, and safe passage.
In the first John Wick movie, we see the protagonist, John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves), use several gold coins to pay for various services. For example, he uses a coin to get access to a secret club where he can speak with the owner, who can provide him with information about the man who killed his dog. He also uses a coin to pay for a hotel room at the Continental, a hotel exclusively for members of the criminal underworld. The hotel is run by the enigmatic Winston, who explains to John that each coin is worth roughly $1,000 in the real world.
In the second film, we learn more about the value of these coins. According to the character Santino D’Antonio (played by Riccardo Scamarcio), each coin is worth “one favor.” This means that if you give someone a gold coin, they are obligated to do you a favor in return. This adds a significant amount of value to each coin, as favors within the criminal underworld can be invaluable.
The significance of these coins is further emphasized in the third film, where we learn that they are produced by a company called “The Twelve.” This company is responsible for minting the coins and distributing them to the criminal underworld. The coins are given as rewards for completing certain tasks or missions, and they are highly coveted among members of the underworld.
One interesting aspect of the coins in John Wick is their design. Each coin features the image of a wolf on one side and the Latin phrase “Ens Causa Sui” on the other. This phrase translates to “cause of itself,” which is a reference to the concept of self-causation. This phrase is significant because it reflects the idea that the coins have value solely because the members of the criminal underworld have agreed to assign value to them.
In terms of their real-world value, it is difficult to determine the exact worth of a gold coin in John Wick. As mentioned earlier, Winston states that each coin is worth roughly $1,000, but this value may vary depending on the weight and purity of each coin. Additionally, because the coins are not recognized as legal tender in the real world, their value is subjective and depends on the willingness of individuals to accept them as payment.
In conclusion, the gold coins in John Wick hold significant value within the criminal underworld. They are used as a form of currency to pay for various services, and their value is determined by their weight, purity, and the favors they can earn. The coins are produced by a company called The Twelve and are highly coveted among members of the underworld. While their exact value in the real world is difficult to determine, their significance within the John Wick universe is clear.