Gene Autry was a popular "singing cowboy" of motion pictures in the 1930's and 1940's. In 1950 he started his half-hour television program which ran on the CBS television network from 1950 to 1956. The program was set in the American West and featured Gene Autry, "America's Favorite Cowboy", his horse Champion, "World's Wonder Horse", and his friend Pat Buttram. Gene had many occupations in the series including cowboy, rancher, and sheriff. This episode is titled "Silver Dollars" and was first broadcast on Oct 20, 1951. Gene is a ranger investigating thefts of silver bullion bars. He finds a silver dollar with some unusual marks. This find leads him to a gang making counterfeit silver dollars. Two "silver dollars" appear in the program and neither is a real United States silver dollar. One coin is a Paramount Studios 1941 30th Anniversary coin and the other is a real Mexican silver peso of the type minted from 1898 to 1909.

Gene Autry appears on his horse Champion.
"Gene Autry, America's Favorite Cowboy"

"With Champion, World's Wonder Horse"

The action begins with a holdup.

Two masked men steal five bars of silver which they know is on the wagon. Doree Tyler, the niece of an artist named Steve Tyler, appears at the office of Sheriff Bailey.

Doree meets Gene and Pat Buttram, Gene's friend. Steve Tyler arrived three years ago and purchased a ranch named the "Box-T". Doree asks for a ride to her uncle's ranch and Gene obliges.

He sings a song to her which she appreciates. However, on the way they find the body of Steve Tyler along with a silver dollar which Gene picks up. Gene takes Doree to the Box-T ranch and meets her housekeeper Mrs. Mitchell.
Gene leaves and Mrs. Mitchell calls three men together.

They discuss keeping Doree away from the barn. Gene visits the sheriff and shows Tyler's coin to him.

Gene pulls out a silver dollar and explains that Tyler's coin has twelve stars where a real United States silver dollar would have thirteen. Also the mintmark on Tyler's coin is the letter 'T'. The Sheriff asks if there is a new mint. Doree prepares to go into town.

She sees something on the floor.

The coin is actually a Paramount Studios 1941 30th Anniversary token. These have appeared in a few films as prop or imitation coins.

A Paramount Studios 30th Anniversary coin:

Nickel-plated brass, 38 mm, 24.16 gm
Obverse:
Woman standing holding basket in left hand, "1941" below right hand
ACME METAL DIE (Manufacturer)
Reverse:
PARAMOUNT PICTURES INC. at top
Mountain logo with "Paramount Pictures" in script at center

Two of the crooks kidnap Doree.

She drops her wallet and the crooks take her to a cabin.

The coin is a real Mexican peso of the type minted from 1898 to 1909. Only the obverse is shown.

Silver, 39 mm, 38.02 gm

Gene and Pat learn that the crooks are moving their silver coins and ride out after their wagon.

Gene then locates Doree and frees her. Back at the sheriff's office, presumably with the crooks locked up, Gene talks to the sheriff.

Steve Tyler, the artist, had been kidnapped and forced to create the dies for the counterfeit silver dollars. He made the changes to the design to show that they were counterfeit. The crooks then killed him.

The announcer gives a parting message:
"Be sure to see Gene Autry and Champion in their latest feature length picture at your local theater"

Gene Autry as Gene Autry
Pat Buttram as Pat Buttram
Wendy Waldron as Doree Tyler
William Fawcett as Sheriff Bailey
Louise Lorimer as Mrs. Mitchell
Ray Bennett as Nick Hatfield
Director: Frank McDonald
Writers: Elizabeth Beecher