The daily local history sidebar is one of the most interesting features on ibrattleboro, and seems to be seldom commented on. Those abbreviated items often leave me wondering about the details.
Today we read:
1878: The 90-cent dollars have put in an appearance as pocket pieces.
What could that be about?
About a month ago, this item ran:
1887: Samuel Simkoveze, the well known Jew peddler, is about to open a clothing store in the basement of Vinton’s block.
Google told me that the Vinton Block was a building located approximately where the Co-op is now. But all I could find for Samuel Simkoveze, was the same item that appeared on ibrattleboro. Could he have been the “Sam” for whom Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters is named? Or was that another Sam?
Sam's is named for the
Sam’s is named for the original owner, Sam Borofsky, father of Stanley “Pal” Borofsky
The other Sam
I recall at least one other mention of Samuel Simkoveze. There may be more, too.
Try searching the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America site and you might find a little more about him.
I also enjoy the old history. For the most part it does make sense, but every so often their is something, like a 90 cent dollar, that they obviously know about but we’ve lost the memory of. Recently they discussed the ‘Pigs in Clover craze.’ It took a while to find that it was a little hand-held puzzle to roll little balls around a maze-like pattern.
Also interesting to me is how some things come and go, and others seem to remain the same.
For the most part, what you see is the entire news piece as originally printed.
90 cent dollars
There are several different possible explanations for this anachronistic but amusing phrase. I’m not the one to decide which is closer to the truth – I am no expert! Firstly, it is good to be aware that the silver and gold content of coinage, and its legal/symbolic basis for the country’s monetary system, was a topic of much contention and adjustment at that time. Consequently, it was very much a matter of public commentary, whereas nowadays we are coasting entirely on faith in the Federal Reserve – good grief!
The silver content of dollar coins in 1878 was 90 percent. So there’s that. Then there’s the fact that after decoupling of the silver standard in 1873, the actual legal tender value of a “silver dollar” – as opposed to a “greenback” – fluctuated around the 85-90 cent range in that decade. And finally, there was an odd experiment, from 1878-1880 only, minting “goloid” dollar coins with an alloy of gold, silver, and copper – these seem to have been a novelty and were quickly abandoned as being too easy to counterfeit. I suspect the latter as the coinage in question…
pocket pieces
Here’s a good article on pocket pieces. (Quick version: they were coins carried around not to be spent, but for good luck, or conversation starting.)
In the Pocket
As James Taylor would say…
Chris, that’s a very interesting article. I may have to take up the habit. Although my pants already have a predilection for worn-out areas due to diligently carrying a pocket knife and keys, what’s one more threadbare round spot?
March 30
1888: “As soon as his insurance is adjusted S. Simkovetz will reopen his clothing store in the old rule factory.”
I would assume from this that he lost part or all of a previous business in a fire, perhaps.
Note the different spelling
More details
1888:
“Geo. L. Carlton of Boston and Bernard Blumenthall of New York, the appraisers selected by the insurance companies and S. Simkovetz, have adjusted the latter’s loss by the recent fire at $3732.”