Lot 1780
1886 Morgan Dollar. NGC graded MS-65 Star. Nice gold and blue toning on the reverse. The obverse is white. This is a lovely, radiant toned Gem, both sides being essentially superb with frosty, "cartwheel" luster whose mesmerizing spin almost draws a person into it. Everyone will be attracted to this piece (PCGS # 7166) .
July 23, 1886 is memorable. The expression "to pull a Brodie" or "to do a Brodie" -- meaning to attempt a dangerous stunt -- was born that day when a 23-year-old New York saloonkeeper, Steve Brodie, jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge 135 feet into the East River below to win a $200 wager. Many believed that Brodie did not actually leap but pushed a dummy off the bridge instead. The New York Times supported Brodie's claim, however, reporting that a friend in a rowboat fished him out of the water. And the police arrested him for perpetrating this suicidal stunt.
Later, heavyweight champion Jim Corbett's father met Brodie and said, "So you're the fellow who jumped over the Brooklyn Bridge." "No," said Brodie," "I jumped off it." "Oh," exclaimed the elder Corbett with disgust, "I thought you jumped over it. Any damn fool could jump off it."
Estimated Value $150 - 200.
Ex: Battle Creek Collection, Dr. Hesselgesser.
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| Realized $414 |
