Unfortunately, I can’t tell you where this expression came from or when it originated. All I can tell you is how it is used. Sich eine goldene Nase verdienen means literally to earn yourself a golden nose. You would say to somebody or about yourself when you earn a lot of money often with some specific endeavor. In many cases it is also implied that you don’t have to put a lot of work or effort in and still make a bunch of money, like a lucrative passive income.

In the show it was the future mayor who said about his school friend that he is earning a lot of money with his family’s business. To which the friend replied that it is not gold but brass business he is in. And speaking of brass, while researching this saying I came across Tycho Brahe, a Danish nobleman and astronomer, who is said to have had a golden nose prosthesis. In 1566, when he was 20 years old, Brahe got into a fight with his third cousin Manderup Parsberg possibly about who was the superior mathematician or about a mathematical formula. Whatever it was it was settled in a duel in the dark during which Brahe lost parts of his nose. He wore a prosthesis for the rest of his life. Rumor had it that is was made of gold or silver but it turned out to be brass. Tycho Brahe is remembered as an excellent observational astronomer and an accurate record keeper. His work and books have been used and have influenced many scientists of his time including his student Johannes Kepler. And, I was surprised to find out he was (the inspiration for) a character in Dr. Who.