Possible Error

[absinthe at mad.scientist.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 12104

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., joym999 at a... wrote:
> I found what I feel is (sort of) an error on JKRs part.  In SS/PS, 
> chapter 5, the first time Harry goes to Diagon Alley, with Hagrid.  
> They pass a witch selling dragon livers for 17 sickles an ounce 
> (Theyre mad!).  This is on page 72 of the Scholastic PB edition.  
> Several pages later (pg. 75 of the Scholastic PB edition) Hagrid 
> explains to Harry how wizard money works - as we all know, there are 
> 29 bronze Knuts in a silver Sickle and 17 Sickles to a gold Galleon. 
 
> But if 17 Sickles = 1 Galleon, why say that something cost 17 
> sickles?  Isnt that like saying that something cost 100 cents?  I 
> think this is an oversight on JKRs part.  And if you think I must be 
> really insane and desperate to have been reduced to this level of 
> nitpicking, you are absolutely right.
> 
> --Joywitch

I don't think it's an oversight. I think it's more of a pun on real 
life advertizing. Things are sold for $19.99 rather $20.00 because 
$19.99 seems less expensive (okay it's by one penny, but 
psychologically it seems alot cheaper). It's like those "5-10% off 
entire inventory sales", depending upon the original cost, you might 
just be paying the original price minus the 5% sales tax.

Milz