Musicians at that time were not able to make money the same way artists do today. They could not just play a concert and have people buy tickets to see them. They had to perform in castles or houses of people who had money. It was up to the generosity of the person they played for if they would be paid. If these people liked the music, they would usually pay them well. If they didn't care for the music, they would not pay them much or anything at all.

Sometimes, instead of money, the person would give them fancy gifts, jewels, or have special medals made. This would not be of help to the musicians because they could not use it to buy food and clothes, or pay the rent.

As Mozart got older, he received many of these beautiful presents, but he could not pay for anything he needed because he could not sell them or his patrons would get angry. It would be an insult to sell a gift from royalty!