Having just had my second baby, I was just musing on the origins of the tradition of putting a silver coin (it seems to be a pound coin now, what with inflation...) in a new baby's hand. Does anyone know why this tradition arose, what it is supposed to signify? And how far does it extend? I know it is still common in Scotland and the North East of England, but when my sister lived in the South of England, she didn't encounter it. Has it always been a local thing, or was it once more widespread and has started to die out in some parts of the country? And what about the rest of the world? Are there similar traditions there?

Anyone got any ideas?

Bagpuss