The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-26
HIGH-pRIcED DOLLAR.
How a Coin Of 1904, Worth $4,000,
Makes q Story
81. Louis Republic.


got away from it's owner. and is now
held by Racine, Wis. merchant,
until the original possessor Of the
coin can be discovered.
The most valuable coin ever minted
in this country is the dollar OF 1904.
Only four of these were struck of,
and so far as is known only three are
in existence now. A numismatist Of
New York paid $4,000 for the last
one that came to light a few years
ago. The dollar in question, which is
worth so much money in cold cash,
came into the possession Of Ladislav
Altman, clerk in the dry goods
store of T. L. Harnett, Of Racine,
Wis. 1t was rendered by lady in
payment of a bill Of goods.
Four months ago, the woman, who
thus held unwittingly fortune in her
hands, came into Harnett's store,
bought small bill of goods, and
handed the clerk, Mr.. Altman, a
dollar. Mr.. Altman is somewhat
interested in old coins, and, without
knowing the Value Of this particular
dollar, he put it into his pocket and
handed over to the cashier another
dollar, which did not have the ear
marks of antiquity. For several
months he carried the dollar as sort
of pocket. piece, ignorant of the fact
that it is quoted worth 5000, at least.
Finally, he inquired at the bank the
value of the coin and was informed
that it would bring $500.
Altman was greatly surprised, and
in order to ascertain the correctness
of the banks statement, he sent the
coin to friend in Chicago, asking
him to show it to collector and
| obtain quotation on it. The first
numismatist who. saw it, offered to
pay 81 800 for it. This was more Of a
good fortune than Altman could
stand, all at once, and he discussed it
with some of his intimate friends.
He began to look up coins, and their
value thoroughly, and his last infor-
nation was to the point that al sale
in New York city dollar Of the same
vintage as the one which he treasured
had brought $4,000.
Altman fancy calledup visions Of
all the enjoyments of life which could
realize from the proceeds of his 1904
dollar. He had been a somewhat
enthusiastic amateur actor, had played
Hamlet and Roger in ''The Two
Orphans, and $4,000 would be a
fine capital with which to start a
theatrical company, with himself as
its star.
Finally Altman employer, Mr..
Harnett, became aware Of the story Of
the valuable coin, and the question
arose as to its rightful ownership.
Altman argued that he had accepted
the dollar on his own responsibility,
and that if it had turned out bogus he
would have been called upon to make
it good. He also said that the woman
who gave it to him in payment of her
bill did so because she traded with
him on account of his own nationality,
he being Bohemian. If he had not
clerked there, the woman would have
carried her money elsewhere, asserted
Altman.
With this explanation Harnett, the
proprietor of the store, is decidedly
dissatisfied. He holds that the money
was passed over his counter in pay
ment of his goods, and that the mo-
ment it was paid it became his prop
erty and belonged to his cash drawer.
He contends that the woman should
be found, and the proceeds Of the sale
of the original dollar returned to her.
The dry goods man wants the dollar
brought back to Racine, put in bank
there and held till the woman is found.
If every means Of finding her have
been exhausted he will claim the dol
lar and protect his claim in the courts,
if necessary. He will not say now
whether he is willing to divide the
proceeds of the sale with his Bohe-
mian clerk.
Meanwhile the fatcful dollar is be-
ing eagerly sought by Chicago enthu-
siasts, and Mr.. Harnett is busy an
sweripg the long-distancc messages
that pour in by the dozen every day.
Altman. too, looks worried and
feverish. He receives pile Of mail
that would give heart disease to a
wholesale merchant. All the letters
contain inquiries about that "almigh-
| tv,, Iol1or ond Mr. Altman unfor-