Lot 2692
1912-S Liberty Nickel. PCGS graded MS-65. Nice even toning on both sides. An ideal coin for this important date.What is most in full view when we examine this coin is its thick, smooth mint luster -- it swirls over each side unhindered by abrasions and free of even a trace of carbon flecks. A coin of outstanding beauty and importance to the collector. No more than the luster comes a desirable strike. This 12-S rarity is struck with scientific exactness throughout the design. Pop 181; 29 finer, 19 in 65+, 10 in 66 (PCGS # 3875) .
Like the curious incident of the dog in the night in the Sherlock Holmes story, we report the curious incident of ex President Theodore Roosevelt giving a speech while harboring a bullet in him! October 13, 1912: Three and a half years after he left office, Roosevelt was running for President as a member of the Progressive party established in 1912 by Roosevelt and other political free thinkers, after he split from the Republican Party ranks which he had served as a member of during his Presidency. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, John F. Schrank, a saloon-keeper from New York, shot Roosevelt once with a .38 caliber revolver. A 50-page speech folded over twice in Roosevelt's breast pocket and a metal glasses case slowed the bullet. Amidst the commotion, Roosevelt yelled out, "Quiet! I've been shot." Roosevelt insisted on giving his speech with the bullet still lodged inside him. During his speech Roosevelt stated, "It takes more than one bullet to bring down a Bull Moose" thus further perpetuating Roosevelt's image as a larger than life President and the nickname of the Progressive Party, the Bull Moose Party established in June 1912 after Roosevelt responded to reporters questioning his health stating, "I am as strong as a Bull Moose". He later went to the hospital, but the bullet was never removed. Roosevelt, remembering that William McKinley died after operations to remove his bullet, chose to have his remain. The bullet remained in his body until his death in 1919. The would-be assassin, Schrank said that McKinley's ghost had told him to avenge his assassination. Schrank was found legally insane and was institutionalized until his death in 1943.
Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,000.
The Coltrin Family Collection.
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| Realized $4,025 |
