The Numismatic Bibliomania Society Logo

PREV ARTICLE       NEXT ARTICLE       FULL ISSUE       PREV FULL ISSUE      

V3 2000 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 3, Number 24, June 11, 2000, Article 9

LINCOLN, THREE BITS, AND A HEADACHE

The following note is from "A Treasury of White House Tales" by Webb Garrison (Rutledge Hill Press, Nashville, TN, 1996) It mentions a purchase in what seems like a very odd amount today. But at a time when use of Spanish silver coins was not uncommon, these odd denominations were commonplace. The Spanish Milled Dollar was valued at 8 reales; two reales equaled one-fourth of a dollar, thus the nickname "two bits" for a quarter. The following denominations were seen frequently: 6 1/4 cents (half bit), 12 1/2 cents (one bit), 25 cents (two bits), 37 1/2 cents (three bits).

"Abraham Lincoln, who often complained about severe headaches after reading for three or four hours, purchased eyeglasses in Bloomington, Illinois, for 37 1/2 cents. Years later, examination showed that they were at least three times more powerful than needed."

All the better for reading fine print in bills from Congress, I suppose. Perhaps that's why the Gettysburg address was so short...

Wayne Homren, Editor

Google NBS (coinbooks.org) Web

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

This is a static archive page documenting the originally published content. Links were active at the time of publication but may no longer work. Check subsequent issues for corrections and commentary.

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature.   For more information please see our web site at http://www.coinbooks.org/ There is a membership application available on the web site.  To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application.  Visit the Membership page. Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: E-Sylum Editor

PREV ARTICLE       NEXT ARTICLE       FULL ISSUE       PREV FULL ISSUE      

V3 2000 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

Copyright © 1998 - 2020 The Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS)
All Rights Reserved.

NBS Home Page
Contact the NBS Webmaster
Privacy Policy