If not just a general enlargement of the gold pick up radius, perhaps an implicit could be added to some items that allow for a larger pick up radius? The situation now is such that even if I kill the mob in front of me as I approach I frequently leave the gold behind me. I have to either abandon the gold, or go back and get it, and when I do go back I have to practically stand on top of it.
I would also be for shards and glyphs to be auto looted as has been suggested already. I think the shards going into the regular inventory makes sense as there might be some rare shards you’d like to inspect before sending them to the materials inventory.
I already stop to inspect many items (gear) and inspect every idol.