The "swindler’s dream" U.S. Mint omission ...In 1883 a handsome new Liberty nickel emerged from the U.S. Mint. But desiger Charles E. Barber used just a large "V" on the reverse for the 5 cent denomination. Swindlers quickly capitalized on the omission by gold-plating some and passing them off on unwary merchants as $5 gold pieces. The deaf mute Josh Tatum was the most notorious -- his lawyer got him off by claiming that Tatum couldn’t tell merchants it was merely a nickel he was handing them (and thus the expression "I was only joshing you" entered the language). Later in 1883 the Mint added "Cents" below the "V" to avoid any further mischief. Our set of both types comes in well-preserved Fine quality. |
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