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Dallas Signature Sale 3088 5-6 Nov 2020
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United States
California - Pismo Beach. Leiter's Pharmacy "Clamshell Money" 50 Cents 10 March 1933 XF (Hairline Cracks), Opitz-pg. 107 (this piece illustrated). 128x92mm. 160.66gm. An intriguing relic from the Great Depression, issued during the period of Franklin Roosevelt's national banking holiday. The Pismo clam was relatively plentiful along the coast of California, leading the merchants and officials of Pismo Beach to adopt them as an object of trade during the Depression years. Though it is sometimes doubted if they were actually used in circulation, or just made for tourists, the fact remains that the Chamber of Commerce and no fewer than eleven merchants issued clamshell scrip, usually in denominations of 25 Cents, 50 Cents, and 1 Dollar. Each piece was endorsed on both the front and back, permitting the possibility of circulation. By all indications quite rare, we have been able to locate one example in the Smithsonian's collection (ID no. 1979.1263.00472) and note that another example from the Restwell Cabins brought $2600 at auction in February of this year. For the same of completeness, we note that there are some hairline cracks along the edge, which might indicate a possible repair. If so, such work was masterfully done, with minimal disturbances, and the shell itself appearing very sturdy.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/united-states/united-states-california-pismo-beach-leiter-s-pharmacy-clamshell-money-50-cents-10-march-1933-xf-hairline-crack/a/3088-35204.s?type=CoinArchives3088
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-1200 USD
California - Pismo Beach. Leiter's Pharmacy "Clamshell Money" 50 Cents 10 March 1933 XF (Hairline Cracks), Opitz-pg. 107 (this piece illustrated). 128x92mm. 160.66gm. An intriguing relic from the Great Depression, issued during the period of Franklin Roosevelt's national banking holiday. The Pismo clam was relatively plentiful along the coast of California, leading the merchants and officials of Pismo Beach to adopt them as an object of trade during the Depression years. Though it is sometimes doubted if they were actually used in circulation, or just made for tourists, the fact remains that the Chamber of Commerce and no fewer than eleven merchants issued clamshell scrip, usually in denominations of 25 Cents, 50 Cents, and 1 Dollar. Each piece was endorsed on both the front and back, permitting the possibility of circulation. By all indications quite rare, we have been able to locate one example in the Smithsonian's collection (ID no. 1979.1263.00472) and note that another example from the Restwell Cabins brought $2600 at auction in February of this year. For the same of completeness, we note that there are some hairline cracks along the edge, which might indicate a possible repair. If so, such work was masterfully done, with minimal disturbances, and the shell itself appearing very sturdy.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/united-states/united-states-california-pismo-beach-leiter-s-pharmacy-clamshell-money-50-cents-10-march-1933-xf-hairline-crack/a/3088-35204.s?type=CoinArchives3088
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-1200 USD