Blogs

Q. David Bowers Shares Rare Coin Review Fillers from 1984

​Just for fun!

If you are an old-timer you may remember our Rare Coin
Review, which I edited for many years in the late 20th century into
the present one. I often included “fillers,” such as these from a 1984 issue:

Readers and friends often sent so many things in that I could
only use a few of them. This was from my friend, Cheri Kaye Lemons, an American
Airlines executive:

 

Travel Guide Explanations

Standard: Substandard

Deluxe: Standard

Superior: Free shower cap

Quaint: Run down

Aristocratic: Hasn’t been renovated

Off the Beaten Path: Few want to come here

Old-World Charm: No bath

Tropical: Rains a lot

Motorcoach: Bus

Deluxe Motorcoach: Bus with clean windows

Options Galore: Nothing included

Explore on your own: Pay for it yourself

Playground of the Stars: George Snodgrass spent a night here in
1948

Airy: No air conditioning

Brisk: Freezing

 

Harvey Roehl, whose Vestal Press published some of my books,
sent these definitions from comedian Fred Allen and others:

 

Dictionary Definitions

Alibiography: Life story of a guy who didn’t make good

Arcticulation: The Eskimo language as it should be spoken

Bothtub: Bathtub for twins

Concubeen: An old concubine

Debutantrum: A society girl in a fit

Maltimillionaire: A wealthy brewer

Pillfer: To steal from a doctor

Wrenovation: Improving a bird house for a new occupant

 

And from the Bowers and Merena Galleries staff:

 

Numismatic Definitions

Medium Date: A night out with a fortune teller (borrowed from
Dick Johnson)

Plain Edge: Where the prairie meets the Mississippi River such
as in eastern Missouri

Denver Mint: Candy sold in a Rocky Mountain city

Buffalo nickel: A rare 1926-S found in change in Upstate New
York

Mint State: Pennsylvania, New York, Colorado, or California

About Uncirculated: A story concerning a high grade

Overdate: To go out with too many romantic attractions

Brilliant Proof: A decisive presentation by an attorney in a
court trial

Investment Grade: Score of a test given to applicants seeking to
work at Merrill Lynch

Below Wholesale: No dealers want to buy my stuff, so I offer it
to you

 

Another issue featured two pages on humor from 19th century
almanacs, much of which remains true over a century later. A few samples, from
Ayer’s, an issuer of encased postage stamps:

 

Carpets are purchased by the yard but worn by the foot. Ayer’s
Almanac, 1870

It’s easy to love your neighbor as yourself if your neighbor
happens to be a pretty girl. Ayer’s Almanac, 1870

A liar is tolerated when he tells what we wish to believe. Ayer’s
Almanac, 1870

A bank note is better than hard money, because if you fold it
you find it in-creases. Ayer’s Almanac, 1871

Imitation is the homage stupidity pays to genius. Ayer’s
Almanac, 1863

The grand essentials of happiness in this life are: something to
do, something to hope for, and something to love. Ayer’s Almanac, 1863

“George, did you ever see the Catskill
Mountains?” “No sir, but I have seen them kill mice.” Ayer’s
Almanac, 1870

Join our mailing list

Don't miss an auction!

Subscribe to our newsletter.

 

Contact Us

West Coast Office • (800) 458-4646

Midwest Office • (800) 817-2646

East Coast Office • (800) 566-2580

info@stacksbowers.com
 

Hong Kong, China Office • +852 2117 1191

infohk@stacksbowers.com
 

Copenhagen, Denmark • +45 80 40 49 42

infodk@stacksbowers.com

Global locations

Additional representatives
available worldwide.

Follow Us




Subscribe to
Our Newsletter

We are sorry, an unexpected error occurred!
Please enter a valid email address

I'm Interested In...

Thank You!

Thank you for subscribing to the Stack's Bowers Galleries e-newsletter.