Chilled to the very marrow, he laid a crumpled pound note on the counter, waiting with anticipation for the publican to draw him a pint of thick, black stout.

You will remember that the Bank of England once issued two notes of a million pounds each, to be used for a special purpose connected with some public transaction with a foreign country.

If you're willing to cross a busy street to pick up a? 20 note, the economist who put it there can infer something about your willingness to accept risk.