Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-17
THE DOLLAR OF 1904.
ifow Quaint Old Antiquarian Went Into
Ecstasies Over a Coin.
lPhiladelnhia Press.


The publication Of the history given
by Mr.. George G. Evans, Of the King
of American Rarities," the dollar of
1904, has brought out fund of de-
lightful "reminiscences from Mr.. ii. Z.
Young, Of the custom-house, who was
instrumental in obtaining one of the
seven coins for Mr.. James j. Mickey,
whose collection was bought by Mr.. W.
s. Appleton, the present owner, for
1850.
Mr.. Young is tall, snowy-haired
old man, whose enthusiasm has not been
lessened by years. :" first became ac-
quainted with Mr.. Mickey, who was a
dealer in musical instruments, in 1872"
he said recently, "and found him in
possession Of fine collection Of rare
coins, in which he interested me so
much that ] soon found myself
hunting up old coins, which |
took to him, receiving in exchange
their face value and his warm thanks.
On the LIST Of September, 1877, was
called upon to take the position of COIN
teller in the Bank Of Pennsylvania, my
duty being to receive and count all
specie deposits, and count or weigh all
coin received in the payment Of the bal
ances which occurred at the exchanges
with the other banks. The balances
were frequently paid in silver, and as
much as 100000 or 100000 at time
were brought to the bank on drays. Of
course, that was before the time Of
clearing house certificates.
4" Handling so much coin thought
| would have a better chance Of
obtaining some rare ones for my
friend, as it had become my pleasure
to do. / called upon Mr.. Mickey and
obtained a list of those coins required
to complete his collection. He headed
the list with the dollar Of 1904, but
said, i do not expect you to get me
that one, for so few were coined that |
suppose all must now be in cabinets
" At that time the money in payment
of notes due at the bank was received
by the receiving teller and entered upon
his scratcher. think | had held my
position not over one month when a lad
who came in to pay note had with his
change a silver dollar. The dollar look
ed quite bright, and put it aside, as
usual, for inspection when at leisure.
On examining it found it to be Of the
date of 1901. II looked as if it had
never been in circulation, as it still re-
tanned the polish received from the die,
and must have found its way from some
collection.
- wrapped it in soft paper, and put
it in my pocket, having replaced it by
two halves. | called upon Mr.. Mick
ley the same afternoon, and found him
at his bench glueing a violin. lie
turned as | went in and said: What
has my worthy friend brought me to-
dayY' took the dollar, still wrapped
in paper, from my pocket, and holding
it up so that he could see the size, said
'Gucss?' He answered Il cannot
| said What if should say lS04?'
He held up both hands and
said: Don't, please don't raise
my hopes unless yor have it,
| placed ii in his hand. He took the
paper off carefully, and, taking it by
the edge between his thumb and finger.
viewed it for some time in silence, while
his eyes filed with tears. laughed at
this and said None Of that lie
started and appeared to awake from a
dream, and jumped right up and down
for some time. Then he laid his hand
upon my head, and said You are a
most worthy and respected friend.
What am to give you for this most
splendid dollar!' | said 1t cost me
just 81, and that is the price to you.'
=" lie was very proud Of his collection
Of coins and always took great pleasure
in showing them to any one who called
to see him. One day man, dressed
very nicely, called and, mentioning the
name Of friend of Mr.. Micklcy's, said
he was sent to examine the coins. Mr..
Mickey. who was always kind and
gentlemanlike, unlocked his cabinet and
took ont the drawers containing the
varieties. While the two were thus
engaged another man called, saying he
wished to rent a piano. Mr.. Nick
ley left his coins with the first visitor,
entered an adjoining room with the
newcomer, and remained some time
trying the tones of the pianos. When
he returned to the inner room the visitor
had gone, taking with him thirty dollars
of the coins. The second man was sup
posed to be an accomplice, as he never
returned. Fortunately the thief took
coins OF the most recent date, many Of
which were duplicates. With tears in
his eyes Mr.. Mickey said to me If
the thief had taken my dollar Of 1904
be would have broken my heart
During the twenty years that Mr..
Mickey held the dollar of 1904, | sup
pose. saw it at least fifty times, and
he would always take it by the edge
between his thumb and finger, and saw
Hush don't touch it, fearing that its
polished surface might become tarnish-
ed.'