In 1883 the Liberty Head Nickel appeared in America � and immediately started a minor crime wave. Con artists discovered that the coin � containing the large letter �V� without the word �CENTS�� could be gold plated and passed off for a $5 Gold piece. The most famous con artist was named Josh Tatum. He would walk into a store and buy a 5 cent item with his 24K gold-plated nickel. If the clerk noticed that it was a nickel, Tatum simply left with his purchase. Usually he left with $4.95 in change. Josh Tatum inspired the phrase,� �I was just joshing.�