The story of Josh Tatum and the 1883 “No Cents” Liberty Nickel is a famous anecdote in numismatic circles, often used to illustrate the unintended consequences of coin design. While the story’s details are debated and sometimes considered apocryphal, it remains a fascinating part of the lore surrounding the Liberty Nickel.
Background: The 1883 “No Cents” Liberty Nickel
The Liberty Nickel, designed by Charles E. Barber and first minted in 1883, initially did not include the word “CENTS” on its reverse side. This omission led to confusion and potential for fraudulent activities, as the coin’s design and size resembled the five-dollar gold coin of the same era.
The Story of Josh Tatum
The Alleged Scheme
- Josh Tatum: According to the legend, Josh Tatum was a deaf-mute who supposedly took advantage of the design flaw in the “No Cents” Liberty Nickel. He is said to have gold-plated the nickels, making them look like five-dollar gold pieces.
- Passing Off the Nickels: Tatum allegedly used these gold-plated nickels to make purchases that cost less than five cents, handing over the gold-plated nickels and receiving change for five dollars. He would not explicitly claim the nickels were five-dollar coins but relied on the merchants’ assumptions.
Legal Outcome
- Arrest and Trial: The story goes that Tatum was eventually arrested and brought to trial for fraud. However, he could not be convicted of fraud because he never explicitly misrepresented the coins as five-dollar pieces. His defense argued that he only handed over the coins without claiming they were worth five dollars, and the merchants made the incorrect assumption.
- Acquittal: Tatum was acquitted due to this defense, as there was no direct evidence of intent to deceive.
Historical Accuracy
While the story of Josh Tatum is widely told and retold in numismatic communities, there is no concrete historical evidence to confirm its veracity. It may be more of a legend or an anecdote created to illustrate the potential consequences of the “No Cents” design flaw.
The Aftermath: Addition of “CENTS”
- Design Change: The U.S. Mint quickly responded to the confusion and potential for fraud by redesigning the Liberty Nickel to include the word “CENTS” on the reverse side. This change occurred within the same year, 1883.
- Minting: The “With Cents” variety was minted later in 1883, with around 16 million coins produced compared to the approximately 5.5 million “No Cents” nickels.
Collecting the 1883 Liberty Nickel
The 1883 Liberty Nickel, in both “No Cents” and “With Cents” varieties, remains popular among collectors due to its unique story and quick design change.
Key Factors for Collectors
- Rarity and Demand: The “No Cents” variety is often more sought after due to its limited mintage and the story associated with it.
- Condition: High-grade examples of both varieties are valuable, with well-preserved details and minimal wear being particularly desirable.
- Historical Interest: The story of Josh Tatum, whether fact or fiction, adds an intriguing historical aspect to these coins, increasing their appeal to collectors.
Collecting the Liberty Nickels
The tale of Josh Tatum and the “No Cents” Liberty Nickel, whether entirely accurate or embellished over time, adds a layer of intrigue to the history of this coin. Did the phrase “JUST JOSHING” come from Josh Tatum rubbing gold dust on v nickels to pass off as $5 gold coins? The quick response by the U.S. Mint to redesign the coin highlights the importance of unambiguous design in currency. For collectors, the 1883 Liberty Nickel represents not just a piece of American numismatic history but also a fascinating story of ingenuity and the potential pitfalls of coin design.
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Happy Coin Collecting!