1883 Racketeer Nickel

dd

<div class="IPBDescription">How about buying a chance?</div>Muddy Gap Shootist hopes to raise a few $$ for the Posse by selling chances on this rare coin. It is certified by the American Historical Society and comes in an enclosed plastic case with the story on the inside, which explains:<br />
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In 1883 the Liberty Head Nickel appeared in America - and immediately started a minor crime wave. The original minting of this famous nickel carried a large "V" (for five) on the back, but the Mint left off the word "Cents." Con artists discovered that the coin could be easily and inexpensively gold-plated and passed off for a $5 gold piece as the two coins had a similar appearance. In the dim gas lights prevalent in most saloons, stores, and restaurants of the west, etc., it was hard to tell the two apart. The Mint discovered its error later in 1883 and corrected the coin so that the word "Cents" appeared below the "V."<br />
The most famous con artist was named Josh Tatum. He would walk into a store and buy a 5-cent item with his gold-plated nickel. If the clerk noticed that it was a nickel, Tatum simply left with his purchase. But there were times he would leave with $4.95 in change. Josh was arrested but was acquitted. See, he was mute and never said it was a $5 gold piece. Josh Tatum inspired the phrase, "I was just joshing."<br />

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Tickets will be available for $2 each or 3 for $5 at our next match.<br />
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Ugly

Hey, great idea and great looking coin; kinda appropriate that a coin with that kind of legend and name comes from Muddy Gap Shootist don'tcha think?<br />
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Way to go Jerry! <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbsup:' />

Filthy Harry

That's "THE" Muddy Gap Shootist and don't forget it.

Push the Button Wyatt

Hey ole Muddy,I've known that story for many years now.Did you used to work with Barnum and Bailey,?you ole Fox! Good Luck <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/devil.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':devil:' />

Muddy Gap Shootist

Ugly wrote on Jun 27 2006, 02&#58;18 PM:

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Hey, great idea and great looking coin; kinda appropriate that a coin with that kind of legend and name comes from Muddy Gap Shootist don'tcha think?<br />
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Way to go Jerry! <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbsup:' /><br />

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Okay ........... Mr. Ugly dude -- just what did you mean by that remark ("kinda appropriate ... comes from MGS?) ?? See ya at sundown, pard!!

Muddy Gap Shootist

Push the Button Wyatt wrote on Jun 27 2006, 08&#58;56 PM:

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Hey ole Muddy,I've known that story for many years now.Did you used to work with Barnum and Bailey,?you ole Fox! Good Luck <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/devil.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':devil:' /><br />

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PtBW, I heard tell that you were right along next to Josh Tatum during his many escapades with the gold-plated nickel. Would that have been in Deadwood or Laramie between 1883-1886???

Muddy Gap Shootist

Filthy Harry wrote on Jun 27 2006, 06&#58;57 PM:

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That's "THE" Muddy Gap Shootist and don't forget it.<br />

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Thanks, FH for making sure everyone understands about the THE......... <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbsup:' />

Mockingbird

Cool story and neat coin!

Saguaro Kid

In Chicago it would be "Duh Muddy Gap Shootist" <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yahoo.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':yahoo:' />

Ugly

Wal, I don't the! "THE"on anything pertaining to that particular alias so I don't use the ""THE""; I don't see it on the members list and I don't see it on the business card I received from Muddy. So there!

Ugly

MGS, how long will the chances for the coin be sold? I won't be able to make the shoot this month but would like to donate some $ anyways. Will you be at Bristol on Sunday? I could give you the $ then.

Muddy Gap Shootist

Ugly wrote on Jul 4 2006, 09&#58;10 AM:

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MGS, how long will the chances for the coin be sold? I won't be able to make the shoot this month but would like to donate some $ anyways. Will you be at Bristol on Sunday? I could give you the $ then.<br />

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Ugly, the money should go to either Jeweler Jim or Dangerous Denny. Not sure how long the chances will be available. That is a question for DD to answer. I will not be at Bristol. Thanks, though, for your willingness to participate/donate........

dd

Muddy Gap Shootist wrote on Jul 4 2006, 10&#58;24 AM:

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Ugly, the money should go to either Jeweler Jim or Dangerous Denny. Not sure how long the chances will be available. That is a question for DD to answer. I will not be at Bristol. Thanks, though, for your willingness to participate/donate........<br />

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Probably 2-3 matches but with the bad weather we've been having on our match days, we're running behind.

dd

The winner of the Racketeer Nickel is Devereaux. Congrats, Dev!<br />
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<img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yahoo.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':yahoo:' /> <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yahoo.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':yahoo:' />

Devereaux

Holy smoke! I don't ever win things, and like Dice said, this seemed basically a way to contribute. But it sure is a nice thing to win, and I appreciate it greatly. <br />
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Thanks to MGS for the donation - AND for the intriguing history!