The tradition of hanging stockings by the chimney came from England, where the story was told that Father Christmas dropped some gold coins from his pockets and they were caught in socks hanging by the fire to dry.

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Reports this week have said there are shortages of gold bars and coins in some countries, with gold retailers jacking up their charged premiums over the spot price of gold.

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Some of the widely circulated gold coins include the South African krugerrand, the U.S. eagle and the Canadian maple leaf.

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Though some have taken the shortage of gold coins to mean a shortage of gold in general, folks in the industry say it's not a worry.

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Cannons and cannonballs, pewterware, wooden plates and jugs and Tudor gold coins are among some of the items brought up since the ship was raised after 437 years under the sea.

BBC: Medieval ship the Mary Rose