Playboy April 2004

COVER STORY Rocker Rod Stewart's most famous song asks "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" Well, not really, Rod. We much prefer his ex-wife, cover girl Rachel Hunter. The New Zealand beauty became famous modeling swimwear. Now the super-model takes off her bikini and shows off her super body for photographer Sante D'Orazio. Our Rabbit helps give Rachel a boost. FEATURES 66 CURSE OF THE DOUBLE EAGLE It's the world's most desired coin: Millionaires, crooks and kings have all loved and lost an ultra-rare 1933 gold piece known as the Saint-Gaudens double eagle. Stolen from the U.S. Mint nearly 70 years ago, it flipped from one rich man's pocket into another's until the Secret Service finally nabbed it in an undercover sting operation. But could our government resist the chance to profit from this $7.5 million anomaly? BY BRYAN CHRISTY 80 YEAR IN MUSIC 2004 OutKast became an in-crowd favorite, Coldplay burned bright, and Johnny Cash made one for the ages. Now our readers cast their votes on the past year's music scene. Plug into the winners of our annual poll, plus deep thoughts from Kelis, the Strokes and Lucinda Williams. That's music to anyone's ears. 88 FEAR According to this esteemed author, our present circumstances have more in common with the 1950s than just a love of khakis. He sees parallels to the Cold War, suspects our leaders of capitalizing on fear to promote their agenda and senses a backlash bubbling its way to the top. BY E.L. DOCTOROW 92 WHEN TAXES ATTACK! Just in case you need another reason to put off doing your taxes, here's a look at some tax scams and dubious deductions that will put your shoebox full of bogus receipts to shame. BY CHIP ROWE 120 OPEN SEASON The 2004 major league baseball season is shaping up to be one of the strangest in the 150-year history of the game. Our annual preview primes you with all the juice—unfolding scandals, blood feuds that could explode into violence and projected standings, plus our picks for the October action. BY ALLEN ST. JOHN 136 20Q KEVIN SMITH The Jersey-obsessed director explains why Bennifer won't curse his new movie, fantasizes about watching his wife with another man and tells fans whether they'll ever see the return of Jay and Silent Bob. BY PAUL YOUNG FICTION 108 YELLOW To explain his wife's potbelly, a man lies to his friend that she is pregnant. But what if she actually is pregnant—and the little bump of joy isn't his? BY SCOTT SMITH INTERVIEW 61 50 CENT For a hip-hop star, nothing earns respect like getting shot nine times. In a loaded Playboy Interview, 50 Cent shoots back with no-bull answers on everything from his drug-dealing past to his high-flying current life—and why his many enemies should still fear him. BY ROB TANNENBAUM PICTORIALS 72 BEAUTY AND THE BEAT Seven sexy DJs spin out of their clothes on our dance floor. They've got grooves. 94 PLAYMATE: KRISTA KELLY Krista is living proof of Canada's valuable natural resources. 126 RACHEL HUNTER Many rock stars have fallen for her. Now we know why. NOTES AND NEWS 15 HEF TAKES NEW YORK The Man and his girlfriends visit the Big Apple to celebrate our 50th anniversary with Donald Trump, Hugh Jackman and Lara Flynn Boyle. 53 THE PLAYBOY FORUM Cast your vote for the first female or nonwhite president; how the Bushes became the new Kennedys. 163 PLAYMATE NEWS Pam Anderson hits the mike as a shock jockette, and Anna Nicole goes from full to fit. DEPARTMENTS 5 PLAYBILL 19 DEAR PLAYBOY 23 AFTER HOURS 47 MANTRACK 51 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR 106 PARTY JOKES 152 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY 167 ON THE SCENE 168 GRAPEVINE 170 POTPOURRI FASHION 112 CLASSIC ROCK, CLASSIC STYLE We re-create timeless album covers by the Who, the Ramones, the Boss and others with the clothes you want to rock in today. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS REVIEWS 33 MOVIES The Coen brothers want you to meet their Ladykillers. 36 DVDS Weighing the merits of 21 Grams. 37 MUSIC Get into the swing with the Vines, plus Alanis Morissette and Ghost-face Killah. 38 GAMES Driver 3 burns rubber, Fight Night knocks us out, and The Sims 2 gets a XXX rating. 40 BOOKS John Saul's hellishly haunted house; porn stars' hottest sex tricks.