Production of Liberty Head double eagles was on the high side in 1894, despite the sad state of the U.S. economy, which was still reeling from the Panic of 1893. Other coins, such as Indian Head cents and Liberty Head nickels, were at low ebb. One of the nation’s greatest coin rarities was produced when the San Francisco Mint struck just 24 proof Barber dimes.

In general news of 1894:

• The New York World became the first newspaper to publish a Sunday color comic section.
• Ohio businessman Jacob Coxey organized a march on Washington by 60,000 unemployed men unable to find jobs in the lingering recession. When the remnants of this “army” reached Washington, Coxey addressed the men from the steps of the Capitol but was arrested for trespassing.
• Back in Ohio, 136,000 mine workers went on strike to demand better pay.
• In the first college basketball game, the University of Chicago defeated the Chicago YMCA, 19 to 11.
• The United States Golf Association was formed in New York City.Thom
• as Edison’s 5-second Kinetoscopic film of one of his employees, Fred Ott, sneezing was released in movie theaters.
• The State of New York enacted the nation’s first dog-licensing law.
• Labor Day was established as a federal holiday.
• In Vicksburg, Mississippi, Coca-Cola was sold in bottles for the first time.
• Boston Beaneaters second baseman Bobby Lowe became the first player to hit four home runs in a Major League game. His teammate, outfielder Hugh Duffy, hit .440 – a record – for the year and led the league with 18 homers and 145 runs batted in.

Back ↵