How can I gain silver coins quickly?

I am trying to attract the Merchant on my world and according to the wiki, I need at least 50 silver coins.

What is the fastest way to farm silver coins in a new world?

There are two easy options.

• dig deep, mobs spawn like crazy down there, and they are harder then the mobs on the surface = better loot
• find the corruption and park yourself on the edge of it, you will be attacked by soul eaters, super easy to kill and they drop silver coins most of the time

Although not the fastest way to "farm" silver coins, as such - could you just invite a friend who already has 50 silver coins into your world as a multi-player environment, and then the merchant will spawn assuming you have the right house for him? A world made available on multi-player will still be available for you as a single player afterwards.

As Camster points out below, they would have to have 100 coins, and give 50 to you - as each player needs to have 50 coins before he will spawn.

Since you won't have access to a merchant, the best way would be to get some decent equipment (i.e. a copper sword, though wood would also be fine) and go spelunking. Get as many pots as you can.

I personally just got lucky and found a pinky slime on my first day - 1 gold coin.

If you're willing to risk going into the corruption, harvest two vile mushrooms. Turn those vile mushrooms into vile powder and sprinkle rabbits and goldfish with it. The resulting corrupt bunnies and goldfish are easy to kill one at a time and drop six and five silver coins respectively. After at most ten fights you'll have enough cash to attract the merchant.

I managed to get a lot of silver coins by killing the Jungle slime, they drop about 5 silver coins each time and they are simple to kill. Also don't die if your on normal mode as you will lose your precious silver coins...a good way is by using a chest and keeping all of your coins in there. You could also turn 100 bronze coins into 1 silver coin if you use a work table.