What are Coffers?
Coffers in the literal sense were strongboxes designed to store and protect tangible valuables such as currency, precious metals, jewelry and deeds from theft. Because linens and clothing were considered nearly as valuable as money before the Industrial Revolution, it would not be unusual for those items to be stored away in coffers as well. The fabled treasure chests buried by rogue pirates would also be considered coffers, and were most likely stolen from their owners intact. Many coffers would have been made from heavy woods augmented with metal strapping, along with forged iron locks and reinforced hinges. In the financial sense, coffers are the tangible and intangible assets available to a government entity or private concern. While these assets may not be literally stored away in ornate wooden trunks for safekeeping, they are often considered to be a surplus “rainy day fund” outside of the normal funding and budget allocations. A city government, for example, may be very reluctan
