^ I read that it was so that colonial native types who didn't have trouser-pockets could carry their cash around their necks on a string

I doubt that's true. Like they would ever design their currency for the convenience of colonial native types. There had to be much more reason than that.

Yes you might think so, but it's apparently true... I'll look for a source

Edit: Well you'd think that such an educated and cultivated bunch would know the answer, but after a quick browse online it seems that not even the numismatists can agree on this. Requires further reading...

I always subscribed to the idea that when our pets die we should dress them up in fancy miniature military uniforms just to mess with archeologists a thousand years from now.

My grandfather collects old coins)

Welcome aboard, GBar :Kaleun_Salute:

Roman Coins in Britain
 

https://i.imgur.com/Bj5jPKB.jpg https://i.imgur.com/60BpGn2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZvSnm1S.jpg https://i.imgur.com/79LhY59.jpg

I don't collect these - not yet, anyway - but with the rich Roman heritage of this part of England it's no surprise that there are more finds of coins and other artefacts from the Occupation here in Lincolnshire than are found in almost any other part of the country

https://i.imgur.com/LJ5WlvV.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VSAnUqh.jpg

My wife took some photographs of the ancient Newport Arch on a recent day out in the city of Lincoln (Roman "Lindum Colonia") not very far from our home. It still amazes me that places like this survive to stand in the sunlight of this modern-day city so that you may walk up to them and touch them

The last photo shows a coin I have which was unearthed in the village of Boothby Graffoe, just a few miles south of the arch (these coins are very small - none more than 20mm across)

https://i.imgur.com/iD2lUwU.jpg https://i.imgur.com/a8RDjyu.jpg

I'm thinking of collecting pre 1933 gold coins, particularly St Guadens since the price is close to that of regular gold bullion and they might hold some additional protections against seizure vs regular bullion.