Central African 1000 Francs CFA Silver Coin 2015 History of Public Enemies - Al Capone
The Central African Republic's first coin in the History of Public Enemies series kicks off with the most wanted gangster of the world Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone, one of the most famous American Prohibition-era gangsters. Al Capone was one of the most notorious figures in America's Prohibition Era (1920-1933). He joined what would be known as the Chicago Outfit in 1920 and took over as boss in 1925, after Johnny Torrio was shot and resigned. Capone was declared "Public Enemy Number 1" in Chicago in 1930. This .999 fine Silver coin showcases a Capone "Wanted" poster and features an embedded rim of a 38-caliber bullet. The bullet is the same type of Al Capone's revolver. Mintage 1038 pieces worldwide.
The obverse depicts the Central African Republic emblem and coin's denomination.
The coin's reverse depicts photos of Al Capone in a typical "wanted" poster with the real name, the birth date and the date of death. On top the issue date 2015. On the left the inscription "Chicago" and on top "Wanted". On the bottom of the coin the name of the series "History of Public Enemies" and an image depicting Al Capone shooting with his guns.
For the first time the coin features the rim of a 38-calibre bullet embedded in the reverse face, with each recycled rim being completely unique, often bearing different manufacturers stamps (like G.F.L., Federal, Blazer, Winchester etc.). Given Capone’s history, especially the famous St. Valentines Day Massacre, it’s an extremely appropriate thing to insert.
Interest in Capone’s image and legacy has continued to this day from the infamous opening of Capone’s vault to various items that he owned over the years.
Recently, Al Capone’s revolver, a rather ordinary Colt .38 Police Positive double-action was recently sold at Christie’s auction for a remarkable $109,080. Although it was just a little shy of the upper estimates of what the gun would sell for, it does speak to the fascination that so many people have with Al Capone.
The coin comes in a beautiful box that bear the famous quote: "I am like any other man. All I do is supply a demand. - Al Capone".
Country CAR - Central African Republic.
Year: 2015.
Face Value: 1000 Francs CFA.
Metal: Silver.
Fineness: .999.
Weight: 1 Oz (31.10g).
Diameter: 38 x 30 mm.
Mintage: 1,038 pcs.
Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
Unique bullet rim on each coin (all stamps on the primer are different).
Incredibly limited mintage of only 1,038 pieces.
Comes with capsule, certificate of authenticity and a presentation case.
Al Capone
Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone (January 17, 1899 – January 25, 1947) was an American gangster who attained fame during the Prohibition era as the co-founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit. His seven-year reign as crime boss ended when he was 33 years old.
Capone was born in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City to Italian immigrants. He was considered a Five Points Gang member who became a bouncer in organized crime premises such as brothels. In his early twenties, he moved to Chicago and became bodyguard and trusted factotum for Johnny Torrio, head of a criminal syndicate that illegally supplied alcohol – the forerunner of the Outfit – and that was politically protected through the Unione Siciliana. A conflict with the North Side Gang was instrumental in Capone's rise and fall. Torrio went into retirement after North Side gunmen almost killed him, handing control to Capone. Capone expanded the bootlegging business through increasingly violent means, but his mutually profitable relationships with mayor William Hale Thompson and the city's police meant that Capone seemed safe from law enforcement.
Capone apparently reveled in attention, such as the cheers from spectators when he appeared at ball games. He made donations to various charities and was viewed by many to be a "modern-day Robin Hood". However, the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre of gang rivals, resulting in the killing of seven men in broad daylight, damaged Chicago's image - as well as Capone's - leading influential citizens to demand governmental action and newspapers to dub him "Public Enemy No. 1".
The federal authorities became intent on jailing Capone, and they prosecuted him for tax evasion in 1931, a federal crime and a novel strategy during the era. During the highly publicized case, the judge admitted as evidence Capone's admissions of his income and unpaid taxes during prior (and ultimately abortive) negotiations to pay the government any back taxes he owed. Capone was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. After conviction, he replaced his old defense team with experts in tax law, and his grounds for appeal were strengthened by a Supreme Court ruling, but his appeal ultimately failed.
He was already showing signs of syphilitic dementia early in his sentence, and he became increasingly debilitated before being released after eight years. On January 25, 1947, Capone died of cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke.
