A famous 1820 half eagle: football fans check this out!
RYK
Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
I am reading the autobiography of Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rooney reports that the coin toss for Super Bowl XIII between the Steelers and the Cowboys was performed by George Halas, owner and one-time player and coach for the Chicago Bears. According the Rooney, an "1820 gold coin" was used for the coin toss to celebrate the span of Halas' football career, which began in 1920.
The only gold coin struck in 1820 was the half eagle and it is one of the more common (but not most common) dates of the Fat Head $5 series. To me, this does not make sense. Why not use a 1920 Saint or Indian eagle? These would have been much more available and less expensive and more likely to survive a toss without diminishing the value of the coin. I wonder if it was a typo in the book or if Mr. Rooney misunderstood or did not recall correctly the date of the coin. Does anyone know anything about this?
At any rate, if I could find and acquire such a coin (be it the 1820 half eagle or the (?) Saint used for the coin toss), it would be the highlight of my collection.
The only gold coin struck in 1820 was the half eagle and it is one of the more common (but not most common) dates of the Fat Head $5 series. To me, this does not make sense. Why not use a 1920 Saint or Indian eagle? These would have been much more available and less expensive and more likely to survive a toss without diminishing the value of the coin. I wonder if it was a typo in the book or if Mr. Rooney misunderstood or did not recall correctly the date of the coin. Does anyone know anything about this?
At any rate, if I could find and acquire such a coin (be it the 1820 half eagle or the (?) Saint used for the coin toss), it would be the highlight of my collection.
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Comments
I think almost 2 years later, they still mock the "Doofus asking about some stupid coin" on the McMillan & wife site!
It would be cool to own though.
Jeff
"You Suck Award" - February, 2015
Discoverer of 1919 Mercury Dime DDO - FS-101
As for your question, I agree that we should pay Burdette a BIG fee to get to the bottom of this!
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>I have a rule against reading autobiographies. I think someone's view of their own life is too colored to accurately portray what really went on. With a biography (even if the subject is still alive and is interviewed), there is less of a risk of bias because lots and lots of people are interviewed about the subject of the book.
As for your question, I agree that we should pay Burdette a BIG fee to get to the bottom of this! >>
Now Longacre, when you go to Baltimore search out your own PQ coins and don't rely on the CAC stickers. You can pay for the whole venture with the money you will save!!!
<< <i>I know it's a long shot but what year did they start film of these things. Maybe there is an archive where someone can go look at the actual coin toss? At least maybe an NFL photo archive where someone must have captured the toss. >>
You know, that is a great idea. It should come as no surprise to you that I have the highlight DVDs for all of the Steelers' Super Bowls at home. I will check that tonight. If I do not find it, I will contact NFL films.
I have a rule against reading autobiographies. I think someone's view of their own life is too colored to accurately portray what really went on. With a biography (even if the subject is still alive and is interviewed), there is less of a risk of bias because lots and lots of people are interviewed about the subject of the book.
If this is your way of dissing Mr. Rooney, Longacre, we will have words when we meet in B'more!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>
<< <i>I know it's a long shot but what year did they start film of these things. Maybe there is an archive where someone can go look at the actual coin toss? At least maybe an NFL photo archive where someone must have captured the toss. >>
You know, that is a great idea. It should come as no surprise to you that I have the highlight DVDs for all of the Steelers' Super Bowls at home. I will check that tonight. If I do not find it, I will contact NFL films.
I have a rule against reading autobiographies. I think someone's view of their own life is too colored to accurately portray what really went on. With a biography (even if the subject is still alive and is interviewed), there is less of a risk of bias because lots and lots of people are interviewed about the subject of the book.
If this is your way of dissing Mr. Rooney, Longacre, we will have words when we meet in B'more!
A guy I went to high school with works at NFL Films (I assume he is still there; I have not spoken to him a few years). His job is really cushy, and it basically involves schmoozing with the players, attending parties, flying on corporate jets, etc., etc. I guess someone has to do it.
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)