How does the currency system work?

I just purchased a game key today and the first thing I noticed is that this game doesn't have gold, or am I mistaken?

If this is the case, how do people generally value their characters?

And lastly, what are your thoughts on the way PoE's "currency" works. Is this something that is going to take some getting used to? I hope that I can acquire a taste for it.

The system is set up on a barter base type of "economy" if you can call it that. Different consumables have different effects to items. Some effects are very powerful and very much in demand, some are rare, others are not so rare. You have to value a trade at a rate of what YOU will take for it, not what everyone else will take for it.

Meaning, is it thing you want worth 6 chromatics to you or 1 Orb of Alchemy, or 1 Fusion gem?

This system actually takes care of any type of inflation since the items being traded back and forth are going to be USED at one point or another and thus removed from any economy that develops. Beautiful solution imho.

It is a bit cumbersome around the edges since there isn't a "gold standard," but it prevents botters from farming, people from hoarding, and any other type of mass market influence.

Also, you can get some orbs and gems from items you sell back to the vendors.

Edit: Wanted to add that sense the game is based more around your build with gear and skill gems complimenting said build, the great 2h sword you use as a ranger can be completely worthless to someone else who uses a 2h sword. Similarly, what you think is trash would be worth something to someone.

White 4L, 5L, 6L items (4 linked sockets, 5 linked etc.) hold on to some worth no matter what the socket colors are due to how the orb of fusing works.

And remember, in this game, it's worthless when you don't want it, it's priceless when you do want it.