MORE ON 'ABER NIT'

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V20 2017 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 20, Number 24, June 11, 2017, Article 11

MORE ON 'ABER NIT'

Last week Michael Sanders asked about the meaning of the words "ABER NIT" on this piece of "Bryan Money" from the 1896 Presidential campaign. Here are thoughts from readers. -Editor

Pete Smith writes:

I came across a reference that says the "ABER NIT" translates as "But Not in Trust."

There is a Bryan piece with legend, "SIXTEEN TO ONE / WE DON'T THINK." Others have a simplified "16 to 1 NIT."

The term "ABER NIT" was used outside of Bryan Money. I think "But Not" might be a good general translation.

Giordano Sereno writes:

You asked readers about the meaning of 'Aber Nit'. I couldn't find this expression. But "Aber Initio" in Latin means "Since the beginning". Is it possible that correct expression was "Aber Initio"?

Ron Haller-Williams writes:

German for "not" is actually "nicht" - "nit" is a dialect (Swabian?) and/or corrupt form.

"Nix and nixy, for no, are debased forms of the German nicht; aber nit, once as popular as camouflage, is obviously aber nicht."

To read the complete article, see:
H.L. Mencken (1880–1956). The American Language. 1921. Page 199 (http://www.bartleby.com/185/pages/page199.html)

I think that settles it. Ron also submitted several online references relating to Bryan Money in general. Thanks. -Editor

William Jennings Bryan" - clue from
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dated-1896-William-Jennings-Bryan-Bryans-Money-16-To-1-NIT-Political-Medal-89mm/371892411438

http://usamericana.com/bryan-s-money-1896-bryan-s-idea-of-coinage-16-to-1-aber-nit.html
Large lead medal disparaging William Jennings Bryan and his Free Silver platform, 1896. 3 1/2" diameter, nicely struck, and in excellent condition. (This looks like your featured piece.)

https://www.hakes.com/Auction/ItemDetail/44702/THREE-VARIETIES-OF-SATIRICAL-BRYANS-MONEY-FROM-1896-AND-1900-CAMPAIGNS
Each piece is 3.5" dia. designed to resemble an over-sized Liberty head coin. Back of each reads "Bryan's Idea Of Coinage 16 To 1 Aber Nit." (Meaning - "But Not In Trust") The over-sized coins were to poke fun at the Democrat's proposal of silver to gold coinage in a value ratio of 16 to 1. Many varieties were produced, mostly in 1896. These pieces are well-executed. The first is white metal with "1896" date and weighs about 6 ounces. The second is also "1896" but with more lead content so weight is just over 8 ounces. The third piece is like the first except the date was changed in the mold from 1896 to "1900." Minor wear traces. Exc. overall.
https://www.cowanauctions.com/lot/bryan-money-grouping-of-fourteen-coins-96167
(long text, scroll to read in full)

Interesting thread at
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/bryans-money-united-snakes-of-america-medal.249221/
"Looks like a duck [goose!] with the head of a donkey."
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/bryan/aa_bryan_silver_1.html

Thanks, everyone. -Editor

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
QUERY: BRYAN MONEY "ABER NIT" INSCRIPTION (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n23a28.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

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