Both are methods of demonstrating the possession of wealth, and the two are conventionally accepted as equivalents.

The choice between them is a question of advertising expediency simply, except so far as it may be affected by other standards of propriety, springing from a different source.

On grounds of expediency the preference may be given to the one or the other at different stages of the economic development.

The question is, which of the two methods will most effectively reach the persons whose convictions it is desired to affect.

Usage has answered this question in different ways under different circumstances.
So long as the community or social group is small enough and compact enough to be effectually reached by common notoriety alone that is to say, so long as the human environment to which the individual is required to adapt himself in respect of reputability is comprised within his sphere of personal acquaintance and neighborhood gossip--so long the one method is about as effective as the other.