The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01
A DOLLAR OF 1904.
Curious History of n Valuable Coin
Believed to BE Genuine.
Cleveland Leader.

Cleveland Leader.
Captain Abbott, of the secret service de-
an alleged 1904 dollar that has set many Sc
cret service men to work. If the dollar is
genuine it is one of the rare coins of the
United States and is worth about $500 to
collectors. If it is bogus it will get some
one into trouble.
In 1904 the government issued 1900 silver
dollars. For some reason or other IL was
decided to recall the issue: 1896 of the dol
lars were returned to the treasury and de-
stroyed. Four of the dollars remained in
circulation. AS soon as this became known
the value of these dollars took a jump, and
since that time collectors have anxiously
sought after them. 1t is claimed that one
of the original coins is still missing. There
have been many counterfeits of the dollars,
but they were so poor that they were soon
detected. However, Captain Abbott is
able to tell whether or not this 1904 dollar
Is genuine. AS a result it was forwarded
TO the chief of the secret service depart
ment at Washington.
The coin in question was obtained by the
government officials from B. II. Smith, at
Lima, o., few days ago, upon the suppo-
sitiOn that it was a counterfeit Smith was
taken to Toledo. 1t is said that he is a
gambler who travelled all over the States.
While on one of his trips he went to Lima,
where he became stranded. He partoOk
heavily of morphine, it is claimed and act
ed strangely. Smith visited a pawnbroker
and wanted to pawn the supposed 1904 dol
lar for $25. The pawnbroker knew the
value of the 1904 dollar and became sus-
picious, and reported the matter to the po-
lice, who in turn reported to the United
States authorities. The latter decided to
arrest Smith, they were strongly of the
opinion that the dollar was counterfeit.
Smith is now in Jail at Toledo awaiting
the decision of the authorities at Washing
ton as to whether or not the dollar is a
counterfeit. The whole case against Smith
hinges upon this decision. Captain Abbott
and District Attorney Sullivan were of the
opinion that the dollar was genuine money
of another date, but that its figures had
been changed to read 1884" a close in
Spection of the coin, however, failed to es-
tablish this theory.
Smith claims that he got the dollar from
school teacher at Hamilton, o., who was
in hard luck one day and gave him the
coin as security for a $25 loan The teach
or failed to redeem the coin, according to
Smiths story. The teacher was sent for
and he appeared before the authorities at
Toledo. He was asked how he came into
possession of the dollar, and he then told
a rather strange story.
Smith claimed that the teacher had told
him he had had several such dollars made
in Cincinnati every year. and sold them.
The authorities do not believe this.
The teacher explained that he got the
coin from an old German farmer in the
southern part of the State, at whose home
he stopped one night while out on a hunt
ing trip. During the evening the subject
of old coins was discussed during which
the German said he had a pice of money
that was a relic. He then went to a drawer
and took out this 1904 dollar. The teacher
asked the old man now much he would
take for it. I've been offered $1.20 for it,"
the farmer replied, not knowing it's real
worth. The teacher said he then offered
81 for it, and that the bargain was closed
at once.
The teacher also said that the German
told the following story about how the dol
lar came into his possession II got 1t in
South Africa many years ago. L a
soldier in the English army and was sent
to South Africa for service. When 1 was
discharged 1 was paid off, and among the
coins in my pay was this dollar. 1 did not
know what it was worth, or what ii was,
except that it was an American coin, and
so 1 thought 1 would keep 1T a relic of
the war and of the United States. Shortly
after my discharge 1 came to this coun-
try"
The alleged history of the dollar could
not be traced back any further 1t remains
to be seen whether not Smith was trying
to pass a counterfeit coin. Whether or
not Smith will ever get the dollar back is
a question. If il is a counterfeit it will be
confiscated by the government. If it is a
genuine coin the government may con-
fiscate IT, as all the 1904 dollars were called
in shortly after they were issued. The
other three existing dollars cannot be TAX
en- by the government, as they are owned
by certain persons, but this particular coin
has fallen into the hands of the govern
ment which will probably retain il.