Definition of "coffer"

"There is nothing in that," said Guido, "but a genealogy of the Carraras, drawn up by my grandfather. We have kept this little ebony coffer for the sake of its curious carving. The marriage of Cana is beautifully wrought on its lid."

1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XIII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), page 163

Prolapsed and waterstained ceiling, the sagging coffers.

1979, Cormac McCarthy, Suttree, Random House, page 135

He would discharge it without any great burden to the queen's coffers.

c. 1610–1620 (written), 1661 (first published), Francis Bacon, Letter of Advice to the Duke of Buckingham

Hold, there is half my coffer.

c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene iii]

The coffers were empty, and the first thing to be done was to devise some means by which we could raise a revenue.

1909, John Claude White, Sikhim and Bhutan, page 26