Franklin Coin Quiz - Prize for Response

Ronyahski · January 4, 2003 12:51PM

Let's talk coins. First correct response to this coin history question wins a prize.

Question: The Liberty Bell, depicted on the reverse of the Franklin Half Dollar, cracked again as it was rung for the last time in 1835. What was the occasion?

Prize: First correct response wins a PCGS65FBL Franklin Half Dollar. First response from a YN also wins. Sorry, immediate family members and all dealers ineligible to participate.

Russ · January 4, 2003 12:54PM

funeral procession of Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Marshall.

Russ, NCNE

LucyBop · January 4, 2003 12:57PM

It Rang its "last clear note" while tolling for Washington's birthday Monday February 22, 1846.

FatMan · January 4, 2003 12:57PM

I agree with Russ. He is correct.

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 12:58PM

John Marshal's death

Petescorner · January 4, 2003 12:58PM

Washington's Birthday!

And Lucy is a dealer!

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 12:58PM

too little too late LOL

Russ · January 4, 2003 1:02PM

<< It Rang its "last clear note" while tolling for Washington's birthday Monday February 22, 1846. >>

Lucy is correct that this is the last time it was actually rung. However, it wasn't a "clear note". They had tried, unsuccessfully, to modify the crack to restore correct tone. The experiment failed.

In any event, the bell was not cracked at this event.

Russ, NCNE

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:04PM

Hey - you collect the halves that face the other way, so your answer should be disqualified!

Oh - Bytheway Darryl - I'm younger than Russ - does that count

Petescorner · January 4, 2003 1:05PM

John Marshall's funeral!!!

And Russ, Fatman, and FC57Coins are all dealers!

Russ · January 4, 2003 1:05PM

Frank,

Yeah, but I also watch PBS.

Russ, NCNE

FatMan · January 4, 2003 1:05PM

Here is a link for a timeline. The facts mentioned are all correct. The question is really --what is the question? Does ronyashki want to know what the 1835 occasion was where the bell cracked on the last ring or does he want to know when the last time the bell was rung?

OneYearTypes · January 4, 2003 1:06PM

Actually, they don't know for certain whether that's true or not.
It was first announced in March 1876 that the bell cracked on July 8th, 1835 at Marshall's funeral procession. How could they know after more than 40 years? They also say it cracked in '43 on Washington's birthday. So 1835 was not the last time it was rung.

Cam40 · January 4, 2003 1:06PM

On June 6, 1944, when Allied forces landed in France.

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:06PM

<< Yeah, but I also watch PBS >>

I watch PBS also - but I suffer from brainfreeze now and again - that was a now moment. LOL

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:08PM

54 40 or Fight!!!

Russ · January 4, 2003 1:08PM

FatMan,

Cool site! Now, according to it, the Justice Marshall story is questionable. Interesting!

Russ, NCNE

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:10PM

<< the Justice Marshall story is questionable. Interesting! >>

It might be, but "Franklinites" accept this as the correct response - hard to prove one way or the other

Russ · January 4, 2003 1:12PM

<< It might be, but "Franklinites" accept this as the correct response >>

Good enough for me!

Russ, NCNE

Cam40 · January 4, 2003 1:13PM

Wait.Question is.When did it last ring? No?Ok..Anyway,it last rang April 6th
2001.Tourist attacks Liberty Bell with hammer.

Cam40 · January 4, 2003 1:16PM

Also rings at a pitch in music which is Eb=E flat.Cool huh.

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:18PM

<< it last rang April 6th 2001.Tourist attacks Liberty Bell with hammer. >>

Obviously a disgruntled "Ugly Head" bicentenial dollar collector

Whitewashqtr · January 4, 2003 1:19PM

The Philadelphia Public Ledger takes up the story in its February 26, 1846 publication: "The old Independence Bell rang its last clear note on Monday last in honor of the birthday of Washington and now hangs in the great city steeple irreparably cracked and dumb. It had been cracked before but was set in order of that day by having the edges of the fracture filed so as not to vibrate against each other ... It gave out clear notes and loud, and appeared to be in excellent condition until noon, when it received a sort of compound fracture in a zig-zag direction through one of its sides which put it completely out of tune and left it a mere wreck of what it was."

LucyBop · January 4, 2003 1:19PM

<< Obviously a disgruntled "Ugly Head" bicentenial dollar collector >>

YIKES! Low blow! Hitting below the belt! OOOOFFFFFF!

airplanenut · January 4, 2003 1:25PM

I'll say 1846 for Washington's birthday... plus I'm a YN

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:25PM

<< It had been cracked before but was set in order of that day >>

The crack was filled, but never truly repaired, because to do so they would've had to re-cast the bell - ergo (good 19th century word) the guy with the funny hat - er I mean Russ should be the winner (dirty stinkin!@_(*$#@(&$)

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:26PM

<< I'll say 1846 for Washington's birthday... plus I'm a YN >>

BUT YOU GAVE THE WRONG ANSWER BLAT GUMMIT!!! ROFL

KlectorKid · January 4, 2003 1:27PM

Cheif justice! And im a YN so if Jeremy didnt get it i did.. i think... maybe

Blackhawk · January 4, 2003 1:30PM

Another story says that winesses came forward and said that it cracked when it was rung in honor of Washingtons birthday in 1835, so that's my guess.

Cam40 · January 4, 2003 1:32PM

Wait ,No one said anything about it ringing `its last clear tone`,just `last rang`....huh? huh?

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:33PM

<< Cheif justice! And im a YN so if Jeremy didnt get it i did.. i think... maybe >>

BUT WHAT'S THE CHIEF JUSTICE'S NAME!!!! UGH kids these days! Right uncle Russ?

ClausUrch · January 4, 2003 1:34PM

You are all wrong....
Read the conspiracy theory....

Inquiring Minds...

KlectorKid · January 4, 2003 1:35PM

John Marshall?

DHeath · January 4, 2003 1:35PM

The earliest versions of this story appear in Thompson Westcott's The Official Guide Book to Philadelphia: A New Handbook for Strangers and Citizens published in 1876 for the Centennial Exhibition. Also, the custodian of Independence Hall, Frank M. Etting, announced in March 1876 that he learned that the bell was cracked in 1835 while tolling the death of Chief Justice Marshall. Neither source provides documentation to support their claim.

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:36PM

<< You are all wrong....
Read the conspiracy theory.... >>

An SBA collector if there ever was one!

LucyBop · January 4, 2003 1:38PM

<< An SBA collector if there ever was one! >>

Yet another blow from the cigar smockin' Pug.... Frank, your rollin'!

KlectorKid · January 4, 2003 1:39PM

Young ears are listening please do not say the letters SBA agian.

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:45PM

<< Young ears are listening please do not say the letters SBA agian.

>>

OK.... SAC collector

LucyBop · January 4, 2003 1:47PM

<< OK.... SAC colletor >>

Hey Frank, what is really in that cigar?

KlectorKid · January 4, 2003 1:49PM

SAC's? Whats next?... Ikes?

Cam40 · January 4, 2003 1:50PM

two points taken away for low blows.One more and your forfeited.

Cam40 · January 4, 2003 1:54PM

ok its a half a point for the Sac remark and half a point for the SBA remark.Hey you still got point to give.
Go for the Ike.

LucyBop · January 4, 2003 1:55PM

<< Obviously a disgruntled "Ugly Head" bicentenial dollar collector >>

He already did!

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 1:57PM

Man Lucille - you type fast! - No wonder you have more posts than me already!!!

KlectorKid · January 4, 2003 2:00PM

wow u guys have
A. To much time on you hands
B. Way to much time on your hands
C. All of the above
I have some post catching up to do

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 2:01PM

You're right Kid - see what happens when you get old? you get slappy and your pants fit funny - look at what you have to look forward to

KlectorKid · January 4, 2003 2:03PM

<< your pants fit funny >>

R u sure u just dont have them on backwards

ClausUrch · January 4, 2003 2:05PM

<< R u sure u just dont have them on backwards >>

BWrahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaa

airplanenut · January 4, 2003 2:05PM

Fine, it cracked on July 8, 1835 for the funeral procession of Chief Justice John Marshall; the bell's first crack was the first time it was rung in 1752.

Jeremy

FC57Coins · January 4, 2003 2:08PM

<< R u sure u just dont have them on backwards

>>

Well dang - no wonder I keep having to rip them when I have to p!

Ronyahski · January 4, 2003 2:35PM

Jeez, you guys are good. 3 minutes for an answer. The answer I was looking for was Chief Justice John Marshall's funeral in 1835. Russ wins.

I also learned from this thread that the Liberty Bell was rung in 1846 for Washington's birthday. Didn't know that. So I might have thrown some of you of with my question that alluded to the last time rung in 1835. Airplanenut and Klectorkid were first YNs to respond with answers about the 1835 and 1846 events. Since both answers could be right, can't break the tie, so both win!

Russ, Airplanenut, Klectorkid, please PM me with your mailing address, and I'll send each of you a PCGS 65FBL Franklin as the grand prize winners!

And since this type of thread encourages sharing of coin knowledge amongst collectors, look for another contest next week.

Regards

Franklin Coin Quiz - Prize for Response

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