[HPforGrownups] exchanging money (was: Muggle-borns/Magical abilities)

[jazmyn]

No: HPFGUIDX 48817



Dom McDermott wrote:
> 
> >From Jazmyn:
> >
> > They exchange muggle money for wizard money at Gringotts
> >
> 
> Turning that on its head then...
> If Harry has a Gringotts vault full of galleons, sickles and knuts,
> why does
> he not use it more to his advantage in the muggle world? As late as
> POA (and
> possibly GOF, though I can't specifically recall), Harry is described
> as
> wearing Dudley's too-big clothes and inheriting Uncle Vernon's
> particularly
> nasty socks. Is there anything stopping him from exchanging some
> wizard
> money into stirling and going clothes shopping?
> 
> Dom

You really think the Dursley's would let Harry keep a dime if they knew
he had it?  Maybe he never realized he CAN trade wizard money for muggle
money cause noone told him?  Maybe the rate of exchange from wizard
money to muggle money is TERRIBLE while muggle to wizard money is much
better?  Making wizard money almost worthless in the muggle world? 
Otherwise, why not sell the coins for their gold and silver metal value?

i.e.

IF 1 muggle pound = 20 galleons, but 1 galleon is only worth 1 pound?
Harry would not be all THAT wealthy in the 'muggle world'. Set up that
way, it would be near impossible for wizards to be rich in the muggle
world unless they took muggle jobs and earned it themselves, but would
allow muggle born wizards to have enough money to get what they need in
the WW even if they were born poor.  

Jazmyn