[Ads-l] Antedating of "Nickel Bag" (Drug Quantity)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

The OED presents a citation dated June 1963 for "nickel bag"
https://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ads-l/2026-January/168306.html

Here is an antedating:

Date: June 8, 1962
Newspaper: The Racine Journal-Times
Newspaper Location: Racine, Wisconsin
Article: Narcotics Undercover Agent Tells Contact with Junkies, Addicts
Quote Page 4A, Column 3
Database: Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times-nickel/194464662/

[Begin excerpt]
A 'Nickel Bag'
He said he and the prisoner sought out a junkie and he bought eight
"nickel bags" containing relatively pure, 22 per cent heroin. A
"nickel bag" is a $5 purchase.
[End excerpt]

Also, previously Jesse pointed to a 1961 citation for "nickel" meaning
five dollars in the illicit drug domain (without bag).

https://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ads-l/2026-January/168309.html

Garson

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