Bargains from the past

ad from 1957

Quarter Eagles $9; Half Eagles $12.50!
Silver dollars polished with quicksilver [mercury] $1.25!

 

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Makes me want to cry

 

Silver Dollar hand shined with Quick Silver (Mercury)

 

Why? Were you around at that time?

Keep in mind those prices were from almost 60 years ago.

 

No but converting dollar values from 1957 to now puts those quarter Eagles at $72 and half Eagles at $100.

 

Always interesting to see those old ads and prices.

 

The 3rd one from the top is interesting. B. Max Mehl is a relative of Mark Feld who is a former NGC grader, former dealer and now works for Heritage.

Chris

 

Back before mercury was toxic I shined up plenty of dimes and mostly quarters with it. If my memory is correct, they only stayed shiny for a while and then turned dull.

For those inclined to try it, you can also use Mercuric Nitrate, which is more toxic than straight mercury but takes a two minute or so dip to work. And it works well on copper coins.

 

Wonder what condition that 1893cc Morgan would have been @ $15 in those days...

 

Compare it with a complete year at a state college; dorm room, meal ticket, and tuition fees....$300-400 ( silver based money). Today ?

 

Remember though, that the average annual income was $3,641.72 in 1957.

 

I remember doing that, too! The mercury clung onto the silver very aggressively - didn't need much coaxing at all. And yes, within a week or two, it was dull light greenish grey.

 

I wonder if the guy in the first ad ever got his nickel?

 

I know right. He was offering 50 dollars. I wonder what it's value was at that time.

 

I'm guessing that it was Gem BU. My 1960 Blue Book lists a price of $7.50 for UNC.

Chris

 

I believe the buyer in the first ad was also Mehl. I recall reading stories that he had a buy price of $50 for them back then.
Cool old ads!
And speaking of 1913 nickels, I had the privilege (trembling hands!) of holding and taking pictures of one of the 1913 nickels last year at the FUN show, and also seeing a second one there. Also held and shot pics of the Brasher doubloon, 1927-D $20, and 1893-S $1 in I think MS-64. $10,000,000 in 4 coins in my hands in a few minutes. Oh my.

 

Melt value of a quarter eagle is around $145 today. I know it's not really a meaningful comparison because the US didn't fully go off the gold standard until the mid 70's, but it's a fun point of comparison.

 

I was 6yo. then and started a penny folder Whitman's. Never pursued it as a hobby like I should have and am sorry now! Have taken it up again now and am finding a few nice pieces out West here....

 

Talking to an older coin dealer who says he remembers in 1955 getting two pennies in change and noticing they looked different (doubled die) but thinking they weren't worth much, didn't try and get the rest of the roll from the cashier and didn't save the pennies...sometimes forgetfulness is golden!

 

Can you imagine having a whole roll of 1955 DD