Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Skeleton Crew episodes 1 and 2.One aspect of the new New Republic Era, as established in the series' opening text. This is after or around 9 ABY (or 9 years after A New Hope), judging by the Skeleton Crew's close relation to The Mandalorian, which is 41 years after the beginning of the Skywalker saga in 32 BBY with The Phantom Menace.

Aside from time ing, much has changed in the galaxy since the events of The Phantom Menace. The Galactic Republic fell after the legendary Clone Wars, and the New Republic. Galactic society has shifted immensely, and with it, the currency of the Star Wars universe has shifted as well.

Old Republic Credits Are Now Valuable On The Outer Rim

"Republic Credits Are No Good Out Here, I Need Something More Real"

In pirate hub Port Borgo, Wim offers these same credits to pay for food – to the pirates' surprise. They're absolutely shocked that a kid has old Republic credits, and they want them for themselves!

This is in stark contrast to the identity Republic credits have in the Outer Rim in The Phantom Menace. In that film, on Tatooine, Qui-Gon offers the junk dealer Watto Republic credits for a new hyperdrive, to Watto's shock and dismay. He claims that Republic credits are absolutely worthless on the Outer Rim, and refuses to accept them as payment. This is a far cry from the value they seem to have on Port Borgo 41 years later.

Why Are Old Republic Credits So Valuable?

The New Republic's New Credits

The reason that these old Republic credits, likely dating back to a time before The Phantom Menace, are so valuable is because of the Empire. After the prequels, every aspect of the Republic was all-consumed by the Empire and its identity. It makes sense that credits also succumbed to this, meaning that Republic credits may have been rounded up and smelted into new, Imperial credits during the Imperial era.

This means that the Republic credits Wim has in Skeleton Crew are extremely valuable, at least much more than their actual value used to be. This is even more true when compared to Republic credits' value in the Outer Rim in The Phantom Menace, showing how much time can add value to many things. Hopefully, this type of attention to detail continues as Skeleton Crew releases more episodes, and builds up to a satisfying conclusion.