LINCOLN, THREE BITS, AND A HEADACHE

The following note is from "A Treasury of White House Tales" by Webb Garrison (Rutledge Hill Press, Nashville, TN, 1996) It mentions a purchase in what seems like a very odd amount today. But at a time when use of Spanish silver coins was not uncommon, these odd denominations were commonplace. The Spanish Milled Dollar was valued at 8 reales; two reales equaled one-fourth of a dollar, thus the nickname "two bits" for a quarter. The following denominations were seen frequently: 6 1/4 cents (half bit), 12 1/2 cents (one bit), 25 cents (two bits), 37 1/2 cents (three bits).

"Abraham Lincoln, who often complained about severe headaches after reading for three or four hours, purchased eyeglasses in Bloomington, Illinois, for 37 1/2 cents. Years later, examination showed that they were at least three times more powerful than needed."

All the better for reading fine print in bills from Congress, I suppose. Perhaps that's why the Gettysburg address was so short...

Wayne Homren, Editor

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The E-Sylum: Volume 3, Number 24, June 11, 2000, Article 9

LINCOLN, THREE BITS, AND A HEADACHE

Wayne Homren, Editor