19 January 2014 by Published in: General News 2 comments

ht_watermelon_bill_jtm_ss_140114_sshGeorge Gordon Meade was not known for being a warm or fuzzy sort of fellow. Known for his volcanic temper, the men of the Army of the Potomac called him “the goggle-eyed old snapping turtle,” referring to Meade’s need to wear eyeglasses. His aide, Lt. Col. Theodore Lyman, dubbed him “the Great Peppery” for his saucy language. Consequently, Meade hasn’t gotten much love.

Until now, that is.

Thanks to Todd Berkoff from bringing this to my attention. In 1890, Meade was featured on the $1,000.00 bill. Known as the “grand watermelon note” due to the size of the zeroes on the back of the bill, only one of these notes survives. That note went up for auction on January 10, and sold for $3.29 million. It had been estimated to go for $2 million. The last time it was sold, in 1970, it sold for a mere $11,000.

Finally, some real love for the Goggle-Eyed Old Snapping Turtle, who deserves it.

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Comments

  1. Dennis
    Mon 20th Jan 2014 at 7:45 am

    Eric,

    Excellent find! Thanks!

    Regards,
    Dennis

  2. BillF
    Tue 21st Jan 2014 at 8:35 pm

    Note the signature of the “Register of the Treasury”..William Rosecrans. I understand “Old Rosey” had some political connections after the war.

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