The “Racketeer Nickel“

Except for change, the nickel often escapes notice. But that wasn’t always true. In 1883 a nickel design was released that would cause enormous consternation for the mint, and led to fraud all over the country. The most famous fraudster of the 1883 ‘racketeer nickel’, is said to have been deaf and mute - a fact that may have only helped him get away with the crime. This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration. You can purchase the bow tie worn in this episode at The Tie Bar: