Article: What happened to Black Diamond?

[Guest Stujoe]

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Image from The Stujoe Collection

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<img border="0" src="http://www.stujoe.com/images/invdot.gif" width="25" height="1">I have read a few articles that cast some doubt on the story, but Black Diamond is believed by many to be the model for the Buffalo nickel. Whether he was or wasn't the model, he is linked to the nickel in coin lore and probably always will be.

 

<img border="0" src="http://www.stujoe.com/images/invdot.gif" width="25" height="1">When Black Diamond died, The Numismatist reported that he was sold to a meat packing company, which was able to get 750 pounds of meat from him. The company sold the meat as Black Diamond steaks. I have seen one reference that said that they were served at Delmonico's Restaurant in Manhattan. Apparently, they were sold for quite a bit of money.

 

<img border="0" src="http://www.stujoe.com/images/invdot.gif" width="25" height="1">Further, his head was mounted and was, until 1978, put on display at the firm that took over the original meat packing company. The head made at least one appearance at an ANA show in 1985. I am not sure if this picture was taken then but I suspect it was:

 

http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/4044/diamond.jpg

 

<img border="0" src="http://www.stujoe.com/images/invdot.gif" width="25" height="1">I am not sure where his head resides now but it is interesting to know what happened to him and that a part of him is probably still around today.

 

 

 

References:

Twisted Tails by Robert R. Van Ryzin

The Numismatist

Fortune Magazine

http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/4044/fullhorn.html