10

Like Muggles, wizards do have to work or have some other source of income (family money, like the Potters and Malfoys). And every time we see a business transaction in the HP wizarding world, we see actually physical currency exchange hands.

How do large organizations, like the MoM, pay their employees? Do they get a sack of galleons every payday? Does Gringotts transfer the galleons from the MoM vault to the individual employees' vaults automatically? Is there a wizarding equivalent of a cheque?

Improve this question
4
  • 1
    Under the table?
    – user13267
    Jan 7, 2017 at 9:43
  • 1
    Umbridge took Slytherin's locket from Mundungus as payment for letting him off the hook for selling stolen goods, so that's one example of how they get paid
    – user13267
    Jan 7, 2017 at 9:45
  • 3
    @user13267 No, that's an example of a corrupt official taking a bribe. Not sure that counts at all.
    – Anthony Grist
    Jan 7, 2017 at 13:40
  • It must be said that although Jo Rowling did a somewhat reasonable job of developing other parts of the legendarium, on anything related to math or economics the omissions are continental in size.
    – EvilSnack
    Jan 7, 2017 at 14:28

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
18

Based on the fact that Molly Weasley needs to collect her pittance from the family's bank vault (when it could be easily, and more conveniently have been stored in a small snoke-skin purse at the family's home), it seems most likely that salaries are transferred directly from a central MoM account to the account/vault of the MoM employee.

The vaults were reached by means of small, goblin-driven carts that sped along miniature train-tracks through the bank’s underground tunnels. Harry enjoyed the breakneck journey down to the Weasleys’ vault, but felt dreadful, far worse than he had in Knockturn Alley, when it was opened. There was a very small pile of silver Sickles inside, and just one gold Galleon. Mrs Weasley felt right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her bag. Harry felt even worse when they reached his vault. He tried to block the contents from view as he hastily shoved handfuls of coins into a leather bag.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: CHAPTER FOUR — At Flourish and Blotts

As far as cheques are concerned, we see at least one example of these in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, albeit from a distance where it couldn't possibly be read on screen. A copy of the prop made its way into the Limited Edition boxset.

enter image description here

And again in the same film, the Quibbler subscription form makes mention of both Gringotts Cheques and Postal Orders, another form of promissory note.

enter image description here

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.