Bilbo Baggins was already a wealthy hobbit who didn’t need to worry about money even before the events of The Hobbit. However, after returning from his journey with the dwarves, his fortune grew significantly: gold, silver, and priceless relics made him the richest resident of the Shire. Despite his sudden wealth, Bilbo didn’t become a miserly recluse in his cozy home at Bag End. Instead, he chose to generously share his treasures.
A Gift to the Museum and Priceless Relics
Bilbo returned home not only with chests full of gold and silver but also with invaluable artifacts. His sword, Sting, adorned his mantelpiece, while his mithril coat found a spot on a stand in his home. Later, he decided to donate the mithril coat to the Mathom-house—a museum where hobbits stored items of historical or aesthetic value that were rarely used in daily life.
This act highlighted that for Bilbo, wealth held cultural and historical significance beyond mere material value. Later, before his journey to Rivendell, Bilbo reclaimed the mithril coat and gifted it to Frodo to protect his nephew during the perilous quest to Mount Doom.
Generosity to Friends and Family
On his 111th birthday, Bilbo threw a legendary party in the Shire, where he distributed gifts to friends and relatives, showcasing both his generosity and sense of humor. For instance, he gave Milo Burrows a golden pen, playfully acknowledging Milo’s failure to reply to letters. Practical gifts like mirrors, bookshelves, silverware, and bottles of fine aged wine were also among his offerings.
Bilbo was especially generous toward the poorer residents of the Shire. In the chapter A Long-Expected Party, Tolkien mentions that the people of Bagshot Row received particularly large gifts. This gesture was not just an act of kindness but a striking contrast to the greed often seen in other tales of Middle-earth.
Gifts to Elrond and Frodo’s Inheritance
Not all of Bilbo’s treasures stayed in the Shire. He gave part of his wealth to Elrond as a token of gratitude for the hospitality he received in Rivendell. Although Elrond was initially reluctant to accept the gifts, Bilbo insisted, feeling it was the right thing to do.
When Bilbo permanently left the Shire, he bequeathed all his remaining possessions to Frodo. After the events of The Lord of the Rings, Frodo passed down this legacy to his loyal friend Samwise Gamgee and his wife Rosie Cotton. For the Gamgee family, part of the working class, this inheritance was a true blessing, especially as the couple welcomed 13 children into their household.
