The advantage of jetsam that keeps its value

SIR – Recent letters (May 19) have discussed springy fivers, but what about the new dry tenners?

Last week I was first in my local lido, at 6am. It was a perfect scene. On my first length I saw what I thought was a toy note; on my second length (hoping that the lifeguards were not watching in amusement), I dived and captured the tenner at the bottom of the pool, tucked it into my trunks and continued on my way.

The note was none the worse for its overnight stay: it was perfectly formed and did not need to be dried. I folded it into my wallet – and have changed my mind about this new design. Mark Dibblin

London SW16

SIR – When I was a boy in Ulverston, I once found an unopened packet of cigarettes in the middle of a shopping street. I thought that the honest thing to do would be to take it to the local police station. The kindly desk sergeant wrote all the details in his book, then asked: “Does your mother smoke?”

I nodded, whereupon he said: “If no one gets in touch with you within 30 days, give them to your mum”.

They didn’t – and I did. Alan Hetherington

York

SIR – Between January and December last year, my wife and I, while wandering the streets of Guildford and Merrow, collected a £20 note and three £5 notes, along with £1 coins and others, reaching a total of £57.33. We donated this to charity.

So far this year we have barely collected £2. What has changed? Roger Murray

Guildford, Surrey

SIR – Here in rural Shropshire, we usually find only copper coins. Finding a silver one can result in major celebrations. Martin Hodgson

Higher Heath, Shropshire