Old Money vs. New Money

Old money and new money has nothing to do with the year the currency was created in. It has absolutely nothing to do with age. What it does refer to is how the person inherited the wealth. Old money refers to a person who obtained there wealth because the money was passed down from generation to generation with in a family. New money is when a person obtains there wealth recently by themselves through entrepreneurship or any other means.

An example of old money in the Great Gatsby is Tom and Daisy. Tom is wealthy because he inherited his money from his family, and Daisy is wealthy through her marriage. Without inheritance and marriage Tom and Daisy wouldn't have any money which is why they have old money.

An example of new money in the Great Gatsby is Jay Gatsby. He is an example because he got wealthy on his own. He did not inherit any money what so ever. He became rich on his own through bootlegging.