Archive for September, 2025
North Atlantic gave up a MacNeil Quarter as a “Thank You.”
Posted by: | Comments2025
Purchasers of the MacNeil Medallion often share unique memories of the SLQ.
Perhaps none are as strange as one shared this week.
When I contacted James R. Russell of New York City after his recent purchase, I asked “Are you a coin collector, a SLQ collector, of a MacNeil relative? Blessings, Daniel Neil Leininger”
His response shocked me:
Dear Daniel, Thank you for your very kind letter. And here I thought I knew NYC public sculpture. Actually the reason for my purchase is somewhat arcane. Many years ago I was walking along the surf on Fire Island with my life partner, who passed away a year and a half ago. We came upon a large number of beached horseshoe crabs, and spent the better part of an hour gingerly returning them to the water. After the last one I said jokingly to Dennis, “You’d think they’d leave us a tip.” At that exact instant a breaking wave flipped a coin at my feet: a standing liberty quarter somewhat corroded by the seawater but not that much. I swear it’s all true.
Should you find yourself in New York, please come to dinner at my humble abode. I’m a native of this neighborhood and have returned after many decades. Be well and God bless, James
Horseshoe Crab. [source: Sierra Exif JPEG]
Horseshoe Crabs emerge on the north Atlantic shores including Long Island, NY, or in James story, Fire Island.
Thousands come there each May and June, to mate and lay eggs. The crabs prefer breeding at nighttime during high tide within a few days of the full moon and new moon. A single female can lay over 100,000 eggs in a single season. After 2-4 weeks, the eggs hatch and larval horseshoe crabs head toward the water.
Delaware is honored to have the world’s largest population of spawning horseshoe crabs—but for how long?
This is truly the most unique Standing Liberty Quarter story I have received in the 15 years I have build this website.
What an amazing story of the SLQ that the Fire Island turf washed up to you and Dennis as a tip for your kind deeds. I’d love to share it on the website. … May you enjoy your Medallion and memories of the blessings of life with Dennis.
Dan Neil Leininger -webmaster
