Origin of term "cartwheels"? Other silver dollar nicknames?

Comments

• AUandAG Posts: 24,941 ✭✭✭✭✭

  February 7, 2011 7:12AM

  It is not because they are as big as cart wheels. It's because of the cartwheel reflection
  that is exhibited on most UNC dollars. I do believe they were called Bland dollars in the
  early days. Don't ya just love them?
  bob

  Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  

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• Dentuck Posts: 3,824 ✭✭✭

  February 7, 2011 7:19AM

  The 1797 twopence in Great Britain was called a cartwheel, as well, and for the same reason (the large size).
  
  In Puerto Rico a dollar is still colloquially referred to as a "peso," from the old Spanish Empire days.
  
  

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• kurtdog Posts: 1,456

  February 7, 2011 7:56AM

  
  
  << <i>I need a good name to call silver dollars other than "silver dollars". >>
  
  Eight Bitters. You know, two bits, four bits, eight bits a dollar?

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• RWB Posts: 8,082 ✭

  February 7, 2011 7:57AM

  "Daddy Dollars" in reference to the old, large silver dollars that were discontinued in 1873.
  "Matron dollar" was tested by some newspapers, but failed to attract attention.
  "Bland dollars" after one of the sponsors of the act.
  W J Bryan had a bunch of names for them, but he was more generic and did not refer only to the "Morgan" design.
  "Barber dollars" in some old price lists.
  
  "Standard silver dollar" = official name.
  

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• JamesMurray Posts: 4,036 ✭

  February 7, 2011 8:00AM

  
  
  << <i>
  
  << <i>I need a good name to call silver dollars other than "silver dollars". >>
  
  Eight Bitters. You know, two bits, four bits, eight bits a dollar? >>
  
  
  
  I don't see why anyone would seek to change this noble coins name. Que the Dr Hook soundtrack , it's uniquely American and everyone knows exactly what is meant by the term.

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• GritsMan Posts: 2,599 ✭✭✭

  February 7, 2011 8:01AM

  Great info everyone! Never would have guessed the name origin had to do with the reflection, and the info on the GB cartwheels and other silver dollar names is much appreciated. I don't know, though, KurtDog, "eight-bitters" just doesn't seem destined to catch on! Thanks!
  
  
  

  Winner of the Coveted Devil Award June 8th, 2010

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• JamesMurray Posts: 4,036 ✭

  February 7, 2011 8:04AM

  Calling them Morgans and Peace dollars etc is always an option , if an obvious one.

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• kurtdog Posts: 1,456

  February 7, 2011 8:07AM

  
  
  << <i>I don't know, though, KurtDog, "eight-bitters" just doesn't seem destined to catch on! >>
  
  The story of my life. Aw, well...

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• MrLee Posts: 1,848 ✭✭✭

  February 7, 2011 8:19AM

  They were also referred to as Liberty Dollars
  
  Liberty Dollars
  
  But just about everyone calls them Morgans now

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• WoodenJefferson Posts: 6,491 ✭✭✭✭

  February 7, 2011 8:48AM

  "Wagon Wheels"

  Chat Board Lingo
  
  "Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen

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