Can nickel mean 5000?

[maisha]

Could "a nickel" mean 5000 in the following dialogue?
It seems that it doesn't make sense otherwise.

"$15,000. $16,500 with the vig. Turns out this guy's been calling in
bets under three different names. Always calling around 6:00, 7:00
in the morning when he's sure that the runners were covering the
phones. He bet a nickel three times on the Grizzlies giving 3 1/2.
Didn't have the sense to pay for a half point. Not that it would
have made a difference."
(Justified "Fixer")

 

[emsr2d2]

Could "a nickel" mean 5000 in the following dialogue?
It seems that it doesn't make sense otherwise.

"$15,000. $16,500 with the vig. Turns out this guy's been calling in
bets under three different names. Always calling around 6:00, 7:00
in the morning when he's sure that the runners were covering the
phones. He bet a nickel three times on the Grizzlies giving 3 1/2.
Didn't have the sense to pay for a half point. Not that it would
have made a difference."
(Justified "Fixer")

Well, according to this, (definition section 2, number 3), it can mean $500.

 

[BobK]

And "vig" is presumably some kind of betting tax - try Google.

b

 

[SoothingDave]

Yes, it's short for "vigorish." It's what mobsters use refer to the interest or fee they charge for their services.

 

[Ouisch]

In the US, the five cent piece is called a "nickel." The term has since become colloquial usage for any phrase that involves the numeral five. For example, on the TV show M*A*S*H quite often someone referring to the 8055 unit would articulate it as the "eight oh double nickel."