Very Funny Comments About Shield Nickels in Rarities Catalogue
BNE
Posts: 772 ✭
I just received the B&M "Rarities" Catalogue last night. Proof Buffalos truly to drool over. But, boy, did I get a chuckle when I read the catalogue's quotation of a letter to the editor of the American Journal of Numismatics in September of 1866, commenting on the "new" Shield nickel. Those of us that have bantered over the state quarter designs will appreciate this. Shield nickel collectors, even more. Pull out your favorite Shield nickel and read the following. With apologies to B&M, and a plug for their great catalogue, here is an excerpt:
"On the obverse of this remarkable coin, the first thing that attracts the attention, is a very elaborate and highly ornamented gridiron, the clumsy handle of which appears to be broken from the body, thus rendering this culinary utensil almost useless. The upper part and sides of this gridiron are hung with leaves of some sort, strongly reminding one of the savory bunches of herbs displayed in a market-house in autumn, or of a green-grocer's sign in huckleberry time. Perhaps the same accident that severed the handle of the gridiron also fractured the lower part, for we notice that it is there skewered by two arrows, pointing in opposite directions. The motto "In God we Trust," is very opportune, for the inventor of this coin may rest assured that the devil will never forgive him for such an abortion.
"The reverse of this thing is less objectionable, for the inventor appears to have almost exhausted his remarkable skill on the obverse. However, he has made a 'bold push' and brought forth something. Here we have a circle of stars intersected by thirteen bars of three scratches each, (perhaps he never saw A Nova Constellation) around the top of which are the words "United States of America," in very delicate letters. The make-up of this coin is completed by the insertion in the field, of a big, loud 5, with "cents" in the exergue, which must be pronounced in the peculiar oyster saloon style, thus: 'Five cents!'
"Mr. Editor, did we ever have another such coin?"
Boy, did folks know how to write back then. And "plus la change, plus la meme chose."
"On the obverse of this remarkable coin, the first thing that attracts the attention, is a very elaborate and highly ornamented gridiron, the clumsy handle of which appears to be broken from the body, thus rendering this culinary utensil almost useless. The upper part and sides of this gridiron are hung with leaves of some sort, strongly reminding one of the savory bunches of herbs displayed in a market-house in autumn, or of a green-grocer's sign in huckleberry time. Perhaps the same accident that severed the handle of the gridiron also fractured the lower part, for we notice that it is there skewered by two arrows, pointing in opposite directions. The motto "In God we Trust," is very opportune, for the inventor of this coin may rest assured that the devil will never forgive him for such an abortion.
"The reverse of this thing is less objectionable, for the inventor appears to have almost exhausted his remarkable skill on the obverse. However, he has made a 'bold push' and brought forth something. Here we have a circle of stars intersected by thirteen bars of three scratches each, (perhaps he never saw A Nova Constellation) around the top of which are the words "United States of America," in very delicate letters. The make-up of this coin is completed by the insertion in the field, of a big, loud 5, with "cents" in the exergue, which must be pronounced in the peculiar oyster saloon style, thus: 'Five cents!'
"Mr. Editor, did we ever have another such coin?"
Boy, did folks know how to write back then. And "plus la change, plus la meme chose."
"The essence of sleight of hand is distraction and misdirection. If smoeone can be convinced that he has, through his own perspicacity, divined your hidden purposes, he will not look further."
William S. Burroughs, Cities of the Red Night
William S. Burroughs, Cities of the Red Night
0
Comments