The intersection of hobbies and interests: a story of one particular 1921 Morgan
RYK
Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
While I do not collect Morgan dollars, there is one particular circulated 1921 Morgan dollar that I would have great interest in acquiring, at prices that are many multiples beyond its numismatic value.
In 1969, the Steelers and Bears both went 1-13. This was Chuck Noll's first year as the Steelers' head coach, and the reputation of "Mean" Joe Greene was just beginning to take hold. In order to decide who would get the first choice of the draft, then NFL Commisioner Pete Rozelle held a coin toss. The coin tossed was a 1921 Morgan dollar. The Steelers were given the option of calling the coin in the air. Dan Rooney, President of the Steelers and son of long-time gambler and "Chief" Art Rooney (the story goes that Art Rooney essentially won the Steelers in a horse bet in the 1930's) passed on the call. The Bears' representative, Ed McCaskey (son-in-law of legend George Halas) made the call. "Heads." The coin was tails. Pete Rozelle handed the coin to Dan Rooney, who later gave the coin to Chuck Noll. The current whereabouts of the coin are unknown to me, but perhaps Chuck Noll still owns it,
The rest is history. Terry Bradshaw was the unanimous favorite to be the first pick in the 1970 draft, and the Steelers selected him. He had a standout HOF career guiding the Steelers to an unprecented four Super Bowl victories. No doubt, history would have been written differently had the Bears won the toss.
As an avid coin collector and a rabid Steelers fan, if that coin ever came up for sale or auction, I cannot imagine a more important Morgan dollar to add to my collection. I might have some competition, however, from fellow board members Kranky, Myqqy, and quite a few other Steelers fans. Does anyone know the whereabouts of this important coin?
In 1969, the Steelers and Bears both went 1-13. This was Chuck Noll's first year as the Steelers' head coach, and the reputation of "Mean" Joe Greene was just beginning to take hold. In order to decide who would get the first choice of the draft, then NFL Commisioner Pete Rozelle held a coin toss. The coin tossed was a 1921 Morgan dollar. The Steelers were given the option of calling the coin in the air. Dan Rooney, President of the Steelers and son of long-time gambler and "Chief" Art Rooney (the story goes that Art Rooney essentially won the Steelers in a horse bet in the 1930's) passed on the call. The Bears' representative, Ed McCaskey (son-in-law of legend George Halas) made the call. "Heads." The coin was tails. Pete Rozelle handed the coin to Dan Rooney, who later gave the coin to Chuck Noll. The current whereabouts of the coin are unknown to me, but perhaps Chuck Noll still owns it,
The rest is history. Terry Bradshaw was the unanimous favorite to be the first pick in the 1970 draft, and the Steelers selected him. He had a standout HOF career guiding the Steelers to an unprecented four Super Bowl victories. No doubt, history would have been written differently had the Bears won the toss.
As an avid coin collector and a rabid Steelers fan, if that coin ever came up for sale or auction, I cannot imagine a more important Morgan dollar to add to my collection. I might have some competition, however, from fellow board members Kranky, Myqqy, and quite a few other Steelers fans. Does anyone know the whereabouts of this important coin?
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Comments
At least you'd get a shot at it!
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i><crickets chiping>
*chirp*
*chirp*
Sounds like a historical coin!! But how would you know if that is the coin?
A letter of authenticity signed by Chuck Noll would do the trick.
Hey RYK,
I have that coin !!! I'll let it go for $10k - just to you - anyone else is $15k
Kind of like that baseball that Barry Bonds just hit outta the park. It's just a ball
We men and our toys, eh RYK ?
the difference between men and boys is that mom always bought our toys when we were kids !
Thanks for the read, too. It is really good.
<-----Steeler by trade
Let' see, in 1970 it was shiny and bounced on a table - You can just hear the masses screaming circulated possible rim damgae and dipped.
RYK - Seriously, this sort of goes back to your post a month or so ago about owning coins with "History" to them. This would definately rank right up there for "Modern" historical pieces to me. I would bid on it at auction, but I have a feeling I would be outbid.
I too like the steelers, with much of my Dad's side of the family living in Irwin & Latrobe area. My last football game was the season ending Bills game 2 years ago vs the Steelers - My Dad and I went in steelers gear and sat in the Bills season ticket section and watched St. Pierre and 3rd string company romp on Bledsoe & company
"You Suck Award" - February, 2015
Discoverer of 1919 Mercury Dime DDO - FS-101
There are quite a few very passionate Steelers fans on these boards. You are in good company.
I'd like to buy that coin and blow it up! I am lifelong Bears fan and I live in Seattle now. Needless to say I am not a huge Steelers fan.
John,
I enjoyed your tongue-in-cheek reply. I suspect that your desire to destroy the coin probably would be eclipsed by the folks wanting to purchase it and own it, such that you will be easily outbid.
IMO, it's the most important Morgan dollar in existence.