Why Were Harry's Parents SO Rich? - Harry Potter Explained

Harry Potter Theory

Welcome to arry Potter Theory. Today we’re discussing HOW on earth Harry Potter's parents amassed such an incredible amount of wealth. How is it that Harry’s vault was absolutely bursting at the seams from galleons when the vault of an entire family (the Weasley’s) had but just one single galleon.

We’re also going to be looking at why Rowling made the decision to make Harry as wealthy as he was.

When the Philosopher’s Stone was first released- we got our first look into the contents of Harry’s vault (vault 687) when Hagrid escorts him to Gringotts:

Griphook unlocked the door. A lot of green smoke came billowing out, and as it cleared, Harry gasped. Inside were mounds of gold coins. Columns of silver. Heaps of little bronze Knuts.

"All yours," smiled Hagrid.

And from the first time I read that passage, I became fascinated with Harry’s immense fortune. How did he get it? How much was there? And what did these immense stacks of gold coins look like?

Fortunately, this scene was brought to life on-screen in the release of the Philosopher’s Stone in 2001- and it allowed us to finally witness, with our own eyes, exactly what Harry would have seen when he first stepped foot in vault 687.

I’d also like to point out that this scene was preceded by Harry asking:

“But, Hagrid, how am I to pay for all this? I haven't any money.”

Oh, Harry.

So again I ask- WHERE ON EARTH did Harry’s parents (who were just 21 years old when they died) get all of this gold to leave for Harry?

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