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As far as I know, theoretically お in お[金]{かね} is optional, but in practice
it's almost never omitted, and if done otherwise it'd be frowned upon.

I'd like to know the sociolinguistic explanation of why it is so, or the
philosophy behind it. I'd prefer an in-depth answer please.
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usage
The difference between お金 and 金
Both 金(かね/ _kane_ ) and お金(おかね/ _okane_ ) refer to money while 金(きん/ _kin_ )
is gold.

First of all, お- is a prefix preceding a noun, and it makes the noun sound
more royal. Most people think money is necessary, so they usually say お金. You
will find the same reason from the following words: お宝(おたから/ _otakara_ ),
お箸(おはし/ohashi), etc. Also, some Japanese people believe that the way you speak
represents your dignity, so they use the word “お金” to let listeners feel more
comfortable.

Next, some native speakers use the word “金(かね)” when they are despising money
or trying to be full of themselves(or something like ヤクザ/yakuza). Please check
this sentence: 金なんか大したもんじゃないよ。(金なんか大したものではないよ。). The former is more natural.

In sum, if you say 金(かね), of course the native speakers can understand what
you mean, but they might think maybe you don’t have enough ability to control
the language or have a sense of ヤクザ(yakuza). So please choose the words
appropriately.
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I think you already know that お- and ご- prefixes are often added to the
beginning of nouns to make them more respectful. However, sometimes this is
not always the case. I am by no means an expert on this topic, but I can
regurgitate some information I have read before.

## 美化語【びかご】

美化語 is literally the "beautification" of words. By adding honorific prefixes
to the beginning of nouns, people are able to make their words sound more
refined. Sometimes, this is for politeness.

Although this is not a definite rule, お- is typically added to the beginning
of words of Japanese origin as well as 和製語【わせいご】 (Chinese/Sino-Japanese
created in Japan). It also, but less commonly, attaches to the beginning of
words of foreign origin (like おビール).

The ご- prefix is typically attached to Sino-Japanese words that do not use お.
Since these rules are pretty loose, you would have to get used to which words
are used with which prefixes on an individual basis.

Prefixes like み-, おみ-, and おんみ- also fall under 美化語 and are generally used for
things with holy or imperial importance. （like 御子【みこ】）

## Feminine Language

Some 美化語 comes from feminine speech. You may have noticed that women are more
prone to adding honorific prefixes before nouns, which makes them sound more
refined or polite. Some 美化語 that originate from feminine speech but are now
widely used are: おかず、おつけ、お腹、おなら.

In more respectful settings, however, attaching honorific prefixes often
becomes the norm and is no longer restricted by gender.

## When the Prefixes are Necessary

Some words have evolved so that they are never used without honorific
prefixes. One example of this is the word お化け, which means "ghost" or
"apparition". The word 化け has completely different meanings and is by no means
interchangeable with お化け.

These words range from "the prefix is always necessary" to "the prefix is
usually used, but sometimes omitted". For example, お湯 is _usually_ used with
お-, but can sometimes be seen without the honorific. お世辞, however, is _always_
used with its honorific prefix. Your example, お金【かね】, would fall into the
"usually" category.

## Changes in Pronunciation and Meaning

Sometimes, the meaning and even the pronunciation of words will change when
honorific prefixes are attached. Here are some examples:

> 飯【めし】→ご飯【はん】  
>  主人(master)→ご主人(husband)  
>  釣り(fishing)→お釣り(change e.g. for a purchase)

## In Summary

This may not be the most in-depth explanation of 美化語, but I hope it explains
that honorific prefixes are more than just for being polite. What used to be
feminine language is now widely used by speakers of any gender. Other words
can **only** be used with honorific prefixes, lest they sound unnatural. Some
even change in meaning, pronunciation, or both.

お金 is part of this. Although I am not 100% sure, I am assuming that it is part
of the "usually used with honorific prefixes" category. I have seen it alone
as just かね in some books.

Related Posts:  
[Neutral words with honorific
prefixes](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/2292/does-anyone-know-
of-any-o-words-or-go-words-which-are-absolutely-neutral?noredirect=1&lq=1)  
[honorific 「お」or「ご」 as a necessary
prefix](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/13081/a-few-words-have-
an-honorific-%E3%81%8A-or-%E3%81%94-as-a-necessary-prefix-right)
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