Well, as a normal noble I got mugged within about 2 days of dropping my unit, and carrying only about 850 gold (on the very same turn that I was about to cash them in. And I lost more half).
Whereas previously as a priest, I carried 1600 for several weeks without incident.
...Only 850, huh?
I've struggled to keep around 100 gold handy with each of my characters. Even then, I tend to split some of it into bonds for an emergency stash. You more established folk need to quit walking around jingling your pockets.