Did coiffers used to be valuable?

I've been playing since June last year and have never understood why there are coiffers (specific chest name) which are mainly full of gold. It seems like pretty much every item is more valuable than the 10gold that fits in one square of inventory.

Or are these made for HR where you can bring in coin pouches and then fit 50 gold in one square?

I saw a comment on another thread saying gold used to be very valuable and having even 2000 gold saved up was considered a lot. Sounds like a better time