#53-The 1933 Double Eagle
"If bold action was not taken, it would mean the obliteration of the banking system."
Hope you are having a great week!
Here’s a few interesting things I learned this week while searching for the world’s greatest collectibles.
#1 - The 1933 Double Eagle Gold Coin
The 1933 Saint Gaudens double eagle gold coin was created during one of the most pivotal and significant years in United States history.
Just as FDR was elected in 1932, a banking panic was gaining momentum, and picking up speed.
The country was plunging deeper into the Great Depression.
David Tripp explains in his book, 'Illegal Tender,' that, "If bold action was not taken, it would mean the obliteration of the banking system."
One hour after FDR's inauguration in March of 1933, dramatic measures were put in place, including prohibiting the hoarding of gold.
FDR, along with his quick-acting Secretary of Treasury, William Woodin, averted disaster. Raymond Moley, FDR's closest aid, later commented, "capitalism was saved in eight days."
Gold coins were recalled, melted down into bars, and sent to the newly constructed Fort Knox.
But during this firestorm, the most valuable coin in the world sprung free from it's impending doom...
My latest episode covers the entire story - the crazy year of 1933 that created the most valuable coin in the world. Hope you enjoy!
I had a great time making this episode, and would love any feedback you may have!
#2 - Horacio Pagani and his Autoclave
Horacio Pagani knew his employer could use an autoclave to make carbon composite car parts,
but his boss at Lamborghini wasn't interested.
Too expensive, too big, and too much time to learn the new processes.
However... Horacio didn't take “no” for an answer.
After being told “no” from his boss, he promptly rides his bicycle to the local bank and asks for a loan to buy his own autoclave.
The bank approves the loan, and Horacio brings his boss the contract for his new autoclave.
Horacio asks his boss at Lamborghini where he should put his new autoclave once it’s delivered.
His boss responds, “you are committed mad!” Get back to work, he says.
It took over a decade, but by 1998, Horacio mastered the autoclave, and built his own supercar.
The Zonda C12. Horacio would later explain - "I started working on the Zonda outside of my work hours, during work hours I had to make a living. Therefore I was working on the car at night, early in the morning, on the weekends… That’s how the Zonda was born.”
#3 - Mickey Mantle and his Amazing Dad, “Mutt”
Millions of baseball fans grew up cheering for Mickey Mantle and the New York Yankees. And so often, it was a family tradition.
So many adults look back at their childhood and fondly remember cheering on ‘The Mick’ with their parents or grandparents.
The emotional connection that many baseball fans have to the cultural icon that is Mickey Mantle might be one of the strongest forces in all of sports.
But there’s much more to the story -
I read the amazing book titled, "The Mick," by Mickey Mantle, published in 1985, with the help of writer Herb Gluck.
I learned about Mickey Mantle and the incredible connection he had with his father. A special bond. And without it, there wouldn’t be “The Mick,” as we know it today.
I made an episode on how young Mickey Mantle became, "The Mick," with the help of his amazing Dad, who they called, "Mutt."
Enjoy!
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Thanks for reading, and have a great week!