In North East England my son was given a silver coin, a small twisted paper package containing salt and a piece of coal by my elderly aunt It was a family tradition but was also practiced everywhere in my region. The silver ensured the baby would have money, the salt for food, and the coal for fire or warmth. The Hoy Oot at weddings was usual when I was a kid but some grown ups also used to scramble in the gutter for coins.