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 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,788 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
I saw a fun episode of Perry Mason last night. The plot revolved around the attempted sale of a Confederate half dollar. I think there was only one specimen of that coin available in the late '50s when the show was taped - the Newman specimen. In the show, a collector was desperately trying to buy the coin for the unheard-of price of $60,000. He also discussed his 1913 Liberty nickel, which he had purchased for an astronomical $22,000 a year earlier. Another coin discussed was his "Colonial Copper Cent", which he place into his pocket after Mason inspected it. In one scene, Paul Drake is standing on a street corner casually flipping the Confederate coin in the air and catching it. He did this several times. Also, every time Perry Mason was handling the rare coins he and the collector were rubbing the coins with bare hands and standing them on edge to confirm authenticity. I was having a nice laugh throughout the episode and enjoyed it quite a bit. "Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
I've never seen that episode. Sounds like a fun watch.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1306 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
188052 Posts |
I will have to be on the lookout for that one. Thank you for the commentary!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Now that my memory has been activated, I do have some recollections of that particular episode of Perry Mason, when it was originally broadcast on B&W TV. I had an encyclopedia, that had an article on numismatics, and the Confederate Half Dollar was pictured. That is why I remembered that particular episode of Perry Mason. Now, that must give you some idea of how old I may be !  I think that I will ramble off now to Utube, and find the Perry Mason TV theme music. May even make an attempt to find the old Maverick (with lyrics), and the Bonanza TV theme music while I am at it ! Edited by sel_69l
06/21/2018 11:52 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
I used to watch Perry Mason every day when I was in college, had to look this one up. It's "The Case of the Wooden Nickels", season 8 episode 12 (Dec 10, 1964). It doesn't appear to be streaming on-demand anywhere but it will certainly come around again.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3323 Posts |
Thanks, Alpha. So it was a later episode than I thought. In 1964, there would have been 3 or 4 known examples of the Confederate half. And I believe that's the sum total now.
"Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3118 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
Thanks for that link srs77! I just scanned through and stumbled onto a line mentioning "the 4th confederate half dollar". Looks like someone did their homework.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
Watched the whole thing. That was fun. Standard Perry Mason -- tight script, competent acting, who-dunnit to the end. But the whole story was around coins and the writer/s knew their stuff.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Lots of other TV shows where coins are discussed a lot. Dennis the Mennis is one show where coins are shown a lot. Many other TV shows have coins handled with bare hands all the time.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
Just watched the Perry Mason episode, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! There were more than enough nefarious and quirky characters to entertain and keep one guessing. Here's a cool copy of a Confederate Half that probably dates back to the 1960's ....   |
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
Nice example. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
Thanks for the photos, ExoGuy. I have a copy as well, purchased at Pamplin Park, Virginia, about 20 years ago.
Edit:
Comment removed.
"Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
Edited by Bump111
06/25/2018 1:44 pm
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,788 |
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Posted 06/20/2018 6:42 pm
