Debens, ankhs and rewards
In Anubis City you play with debens, the measure in which ancient Egypt counted prices. Here is how you get them, what the rare ankh is and what is coming to reward you for coming back.
Debens: how Egypt counted prices
For most of its long history ancient Egypt did without coins. Prices were counted in debens: a deben was a measure of weight for copper, silver or gold, and in the New Kingdom it weighed about 91 grams. A scribe would note how many debens a sack of grain, a goat or a linen garment was worth, and people usually paid with other goods of the same value. Egypt only began to strike coins of its own in the 4th century BC.
In Anubis City the deben has finally become a coin. You bet debens at the poker table, Ra’s Boat brings them to the quay and the city gives you a pile of them for saving your character. In the Wardrobe they buy underwear and jewellery. They are for play only: debens cannot be cashed out or exchanged for money or prizes.
A purse to start with
Every new resident receives 100,000 debens on arrival — enough to sit at the Scribes’ or the Priests’ table straight away.
Save your character: +500,000 debens
You can play as a guest from the very first second. When you like the city, save your character with an email and a password: your look, debens and level stay with you on any device, and the city welcomes you with 500,000 debens. The gift is given once per character.
Ra’s Boat
The sun god’s boat sails along the Nile and moors at the city quay. While it is there, a golden button glows at the top of the screen: press it and the boat unloads free debens into your purse. Then it sets off again — the button shows when it will be back.
Ankhs: the rare coin
The ankh is the Egyptian sign of life: the loop above a cross that gods hold out to the pharaoh in temple paintings. In Anubis City it will be the second and most valuable coin, made of turquoise faience like the old amulets. You will not win ankhs at a table: they will come for new levels, achievements and city festivals, and buy special outfits and jewellery — or be exchanged for debens.
Levels and ranks
Experience comes from the hands you play (AI opponents count the same as people), from visiting every day, Ra’s Boat, chat and emotes, and from your first steps around the city. Each of the 50 levels brings a rank — a real title of ancient Egypt, from commoner to Chosen of Ra, each with a short story from the past — plus 5,000 debens × the level number, and Ra’s Boat brings a little more. Every table stays open at any level. At the very top, the gate of the Nile Pier is waiting.
Daily streak
Come back every day for seven days in a row and the reward grows with each visit. Miss a day and the streak starts again.
Achievements and titles
Milestones for hands played, big wins and rare combinations like a straight flush. Some achievements give a title that appears next to your name.
Daily quests
Three small tasks a day — win a few hands, greet a neighbour, try a new table — with debens for completing them.
Weekly leaderboards
Who won the biggest pot this week? Who won the most hands? Leaderboards for the whole world, your country and your city.
Questions about debens and ankhs
What are debens?
The coins of Anubis City. The name comes from the deben, the measure of weight in which ancient Egypt counted the price of goods.
Can I buy debens?
Not at the moment. Debens come from your starting purse, the gift for saving your character, Ra’s Boat and your wins at the table.
Can I cash out my debens?
No. Debens and ankhs are in-game currencies with no cash value; they cannot be withdrawn, sold or exchanged for money or prizes.
I ran out of debens. What now?
Wait for Ra’s Boat — the golden button at the top of the screen shows when it is back at the quay. And if you are still a guest, save your character: that is 500,000 more.
