Post coins that would have purchased a fine dinner the year they were minted.

MGLICKER · October 24, 2014 7:53AM

No modern bullion dreck...please.

Stuart · October 24, 2014 7:57AM

1890-CC $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle

MGLICKER · October 24, 2014 7:58AM

Baley · October 24, 2014 8:03AM

Unknown · October 24, 2014 8:15AM

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CharlotteDude · October 24, 2014 8:17AM

A fine dinner and a night's stay...

'dude

3keepSECRETif2rDEAD · October 24, 2014 8:19AM

In the year 1873…In the Wild West…back when lead was the most precious of all metals…this baby would get you a fancy-fine dinner

Erik

MGLICKER · October 24, 2014 8:20AM

Nice coins!

TwoSides2aCoin · October 24, 2014 8:32AM

One dollar could buy a guy a Happy Meal at McDonald's in 1855. ( I know some of you are thinking there wasn't a McDonald's in 1855 and you're correct)

And today, that same guy can't get a cup of coffee at Starbucks with five. ( Because he's already dead)

crypto79 · October 24, 2014 9:38AM

<< <i>A fine dinner and a night's stay...

'dude >>

And a bed warmer

MrHalfDime · October 24, 2014 9:41AM

From what I am reading here, I suspect that some of you have a slightly distorted notion of what inflation has done to the American dollar. As an adjunct to my collection of half dimes I also collect ephemera related to the half dime, including several trade cards and menus from restaurants, lunch rooms, and cafes from the 1880's, all named "Half Dime Lunch Room", or some similar name. Although not apparently related, these all appear to have been in New England, in Meriden CT, Providence, RI, and Worcester, MA. Some of the offerings, taken directly from these menus, include:

Clam Chowder with Crackers 5¢
Soup of all kinds 5¢
Fish, with Bread and Butter 5¢
Roast Beef 5¢
Roast Pork 5¢
Fried Sausage 5¢
Pork Chops 5¢
Fried Tripe 5¢
Fried Liver 5¢
Fish Cakes 5¢
Corned Beef Hash 5¢
Broiled Steak, with Bread and Butter 5¢
Beef Stew 5¢
Lamb Stew 5¢
Veal Pot Pie 5¢
Baked Beans 5¢
Cold meats 5¢
Oatmeal and Milk 5¢
Griddle Cakes 5¢
Bread, or Crackers, and Milk 5¢
Vegetables, all kinds, in their season 5¢
Pies, Puddings, Doughnuts 5¢
Coffee, Tea, Milk 5¢

From these menu prices, it appears that either the broiled steak was a bargain, or the coffee, tea, and milk was extremely expensive.

So let's see some half dimes!