Apologies for the delay…

“A lannister always pay their debts” – Tyrion

If any one family in the series is associated with money and gold it is the Lannisters. The Lannisters operate the largest gold mines in the realm and have considerable investments in banking, with the kingdom owing the family over 6 million gold dragons (the currency of the realm).

However I would argue that in fact it’s the Tyrells who are the richest in the country. Let’s look at what the prospective families own both in land and riches.

The Lannisters own the richest gold mines in the kingdom and control the west as well as owning a considerable fortune in gold and quasi bonds from the government, however their terrain of the west is mountainous and contains a large number of valleys, such terrain is not suitable for agriculture. In contrast the Tyrells control the Reach the most fertile and populated lands in the realm. Ultimately the west produces gold and other high quality luxury goods, the Reach produces food and huge amounts of it. In times of war and during winter food is far more precious that gold which in essence is just a conduit of exchange between two parties.

“Thieves love a good siege”

“By the end of it they’re the richest men in town” – Bronn

This quote illustrates the importance of food and other useful products over luxury goods during a war. Wealth is essentially just power as it allows you to exert influence on other people. Ultimately which side will a starving solider follow, the side that can shower him in gold which will be rapidly losing value to inflation, or the food itself that can feed him and his family?

When answering this question one has to remember, winter is coming.

(Stannis)