The 1945 film "The Picture of Dorian Gray" features a collection tray of coins and medals. The film was based on the famous 1890 novel by Irish writer Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). Dorian Gray is a young man living in Victorian London in 1886. Basil Hallward is a painter who paints a full-length picture of Dorian. Basil gives Dorian the painting, and Dorian wishes that his portrait could age instead of him and his wish is granted. He decides to lead a life of debauchery and as time goes by, the the picture ages and it displays his "sins". Dorian's activities include coin collecting. Dorian examines coins while Basil lectures him on his wicked life Basil visits Dorian to lecture him on his wicked life. Dorian ignores Basil's talk and examines coins. A tray of large coins or medals is on the table, along with an illustrated coin catalog. Basil tells Dorian "What I have to say to you is serious, Dorian. I think you should know the things that are being said against you in London. When I hear all these hideous things that people whisper about you, I don't know what to say." Dorian then shows Basil the painting, Basil is horrified, and Dorian kills him and has the body removed. Detective with a viewing device After Basil dissapears, Basil's niece Gladys and Dorian visit a detective to locate her uncle Basil. The detective has some sort of late 1800's viewing device which looks strangely familiar.
The horror movie "Drag Me To Hell" features the use of objects as vessels for a hex that will stay with a person so long as the object is in their possession. At one point, the object becomes a standing liberty quarter, complete with close up of the coin ... that the prop master got from our shop.
Hah, I managed to find a little clip of it! It appears a few more times but this is "the set up". Clip is totally SFW and G rated ... and unfortunately, there's an ad before the clip. http://www.anyclip.com/movies/drag-me-to-hell/1929-standing-liberty-coin/
At the beginning of the movie, when John Wayne returns from the civil war, after having dinner with his brother and family, he hands his brother a sack full of freshly minted $20 gold eagles.
John Wayne's film "The Searchers" mentions "double eagles", but doesn't show the coins. I would have loved to see them.
Wow -- your SLQ was held by the "I'm a Mac" guy! It should command quite a premium, though not as much as if it were touched by the "I'm a PC" guy.
There is a Twilight Zone "The Fever" where a guy "Franklin" is hooked on playing slots. At the end the machine spits out a Silver dollar at him (I think they are using Peace dollars in the episode). and.. Here it is...
