Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Nickel Penny?

Did you know there was once a nickel "penny"? Properly, a 'penny' is always a copper coin, but during the run-up to the Civil War, the US turned to nickel due to shortage of precious metals, resulting in a one-cent nickel:



But that's not the kitschy part -- in 1871, a chinaman ran afoul of a debtor's attempt to substitute these for more valuable 'indian head' coins, according to the New York Times:

"...Some way individual conceived the idea of a "new way to pay old debts," and, obtaining some of these coins, started for his Chinese washman, whom he owed just $3...[The washman] asked the broker, "how muchee." His countenance fell as the broker informed him that it was but one cent, and, after stating the circumstance, went to look for the deceiver."

Labels: , , ,

StumbleUpon Google Bookmarks Technorati Del.icio.us Fark Reddit DiggIt Facebook

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Links to this post:

Create a Link

<< Home

blog advertising is good for you

No Payola Here!

Join the No Payola Campaign Here.

Powered by Blogger

High-Five Fridays
We give High-Fives on Friday -- do you?

Lifestyle Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory