MORE ON WALTER JOHNSON'S DOLLAR THROW
The E-Sylum (3/3/2024)
Book Content
MORE ON WALTER JOHNSON'S DOLLAR THROW
Readers have come up with more thoughts and reports relating to Walter Johnson's reenactment of the old George Washington story about throwing a silver dollar across the Rappahannock River.-Editor
Brian Healy of Walnut Creek, California writes:
"February 25 2024 E-Sylum had a short article about "Walter Johnson's Silver Dollar Throw" which mentioned a "Roosevelt Dollar".
"Could the coin have been one of Franklin Roosevelt's "Lucky Tillicum" election tokens? The E-Sylum issue of October 17, 2021 had an article about the "Lucky Tillicum"."
Seems very possible. Brian kindly included this image and description of the piece. Thanks.-Editor
Franklin D. Roosevelt "Lucky Tillicum" Coin
White metal, 27 mm, 8.28 gm
Obverse:
Franklin D. Roosevelt facing left
LUCKY TILLICUM / REBUILD WITH ROOSEVELT
Reverse:
Map of the United States with sunrise behind it.
PROSPERITY / 1933 / FOLLOW THE ROOSEVELT TRAIL
Julia Casey looked in newspapers and discovered two competing claims to the ownership of the piece Johnson threw.-Editor
Julia writes:
"I started looking into this and found all sorts of things! So far I have not discovered the outcome of that dispute or a description of what type of dollar coins were used.But something I found interesting was the engraving said to be on the dollar is different from what is typically reported. I found a 1936 contemporary article that states the same engraving as what was reported in the 1955 description."
Julia adds:
"Oh wow, I just found the newsreel video! It was a Peace Dollar."
Super, thanks! Check out the video, folks. Still questions, though. Johnson had some practice throws before the big event, so more objects were involved that day. And where is the coin today?-Editor
To watch the newsreel video, see:
Washington Senators' pitcher Walter Johnson throws silver dollar across Rappahannock River, 1936(https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/video/by-george-he-did-it-george-washington-legend-proved-a-news-footage/1269900416)
To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
1933 ROOSEVELT LUCKY TILLICUM TOKEN(https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n42a25.html)
WALTER JOHNSON'S SILVER DOLLAR THROW(https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n08a33.html)
