1260 KYA, San Francisco
Emperor Nelson Million Dollar Bill
Circa 1965
This “beautiful money,” good only in “Nelson’s Empire,” was minted by San Francisco’s KYA Radio as the official currency of its morning show, hosted at the time by Buffalo, N.Y., import Gene Nelson.
Printed in a denomination of “One Million Lean Gene Greens” (in “Series 1260”), the funny money depicted Emperor Nelson on the front, along with the signatures of the Empire’s treasurer, “Colonel Splendid,” and the secretary of the treasury, “Lt. Cavendish.”
The reverse of the bill (shown below on the page) shows Nelson’s swank “Royal Pad,” along with his motto, “E Pluribus Nelson.”
Gene Nelson was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2006 as a member of the first class to be honored.
ORIGINAL SIZE: 7.5×3.5 inches.
SOURCE: Bay Area Radio Museum Collection.
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Sandra, see the note in the comments up above.
I just found my One Million Lean Gene Greens million dollar bill in a box of memorabilia from my childhood! Also have my “commission” into Nelson’s Royal Commandos! Great memories!I live in Rhode Island now.
I listened to Gene every morning getting ready for high school in the mid-sixties. He was so entertaining. Does anyone remember his stories about “whittlemeat” or “edible panties”? And Don Sherwood? What a pair…..too funny! Later in life I recalled his obsession with running to keep in shape so he could drink more beer. Good advice, worked for me. My One Million Lean Gene Greens bill has been in my display cabinet for years. Always makes me smile when I see it. Great memories indeed.