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Posts: 472 ✭✭✭✭✭
qrt
Posts: 472 ✭✭✭✭✭
Comments
I have not grown my pinky nail out yet but I'll certainly consider it. Could also be helpful if I ever develop a powdered drug habit
Thanks for posting this, it's really cool and particularly fascinating for me given my collection.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
You always find amazing things and this one is absolutely insane.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Good find! I'd be interested in reading the full context of the passage, do you have a link to a digital copy of the full book?
the
Really interesting, thanks for posting.
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
@JCH22 did you find any reference suggesting that this account was a historical reference? In trying to research the background of the book, I've seen multiple references calling it historical fiction; it may be an adventure story with historical elements.
the
Here are some of the links in question, both of which describe the account as historical fiction of some kind:
Even if the book does turn out to be historical fiction, I have no doubt it was informed to some extent by fact (the Eamont was certainly real), but there are a few passages in question that make me lean towards the idea of the account being embellished to feed the imagination:
From a commercial perspective, that last description is actually the least believable - how inconvenient would it be to use 'broken spoons' or 'tankards' for payment? - but it makes perfect sense for someone trying to dress up an adventure story for young boys.
the
Not sure short fingernails ever truly impeded a dock worker from a good time.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
Plus, have you ever tried to fit 50 silver dollars in your hand at once? That's got to be an exaggeration as well.
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled
the
Long fingernails certainly existed in the society of the late Qing, the Empress Dowager was famous for having particularly long fingernails and they were considered a mark of status, if not rank. But with that in mind, would it make sense for the shroffs to test the ring of silver with the nails they were so proud of, particularly when they were a mark of avoiding labor? Can coins effectively be 'rung' off of fingernails?
A buddy of mine had a super long pinky nail he would use to slice open the tape on boxes all day at his manual labor job.
It's all about what the people want...
the
Yes, just engaging in some lively debate back and forth over what might be fact, and what might be a bit exaggerated! There are tantalizingly few details about the practical steps involved in the process of chopmarking (where it was done, the involvement of a touchstone, etc.), so any period references would be valuable if they can be confirmed. I appreciate the reference!
the
Also a good find! Osmond Tiffany, Jr. was a well-known American merchant working in China in the mid-19th century, I don't doubt his testimony here. Interesting that both sources mention performing the evaluation of silver via a shroff on deck, though given that the cargo was opium it makes sense; I particularly like the description of a shroff's intuition and knowledge: "... whose sight is so keen that he can look further into a lump of sycee silver than any ordinary gazer".
On ringing a coin, this is an experience I had several years ago:
I had a circulated Peace dollar on my desk at work, my manager, who is from China, sees it and asks to look at it.
He took the coin between his fingers, not by edges but obverse and reverse, and firmly blew across it, held it to his ear. He then said, "yeah that's silver".
I thought that was an interesting way to check the ring, and it only takes one hand and no hard surface.
Collector, occasional seller