zadok

It may not seem like that to the average e-Bay user, but you do have options -- and your own strategies that work developed over time and experience.
The first option is obvious: a sale price.  (Now there is an installment plan as well.) First come, first served. The choice is yours.
The second option is: bidding on an item. A minimum is established as well as a time line. The progression proceeds on an incremental scale, e.g., from $200.to $225., and up, until expiration which is usually within one week.
The third option is, Or Best Offer (OBO).  This is akin to telling you this seller wants to get as much as he can, but an offer of 50% of the sale price is inadvisable and unrealistic. Try what you feel would work.
There are a few strategies I have devised.  Waiting until the last day, the last hour and the waning minutes can work unless someone has pre-bid a lot higher, anonymously.  Many times, being impatient (in my case, with French 20-francs gold roosters) I would take the bid, if $0.00, and reset it at gold melt to weed out the non-contenders and study the progression of serious principals. I have placed bids successfully with only ten seconds remaining on the clock. Your greatest success may occur in the wee hours of the morning when fewer people are awake placing bids.
One point I should like to emphasize is sell prices may seem "take it or leave it," but early on I would contact the seller with a modest 5% to 10% off and immediate payment if they would accept it. Many do, and have. Recently, I bought a token by using a different tack.  I plausibly explained to the seller that his example, many finer examples of which I claimed I owned and bought for less, was cleaned using two different methods (representing I knew more than he did) and suggested a FMV of 25% off his sale price, which he accepted immediately. It was a strong strike with strikingly distinct denticles which I would be happy to post on JB's thread after examining it more closely in hand to see if there is some way of enhancing its color safely with a short safe bath.
Please feel free to share your approaches to buying on e-Bay. Bear in mind, some kid in Nebraska, relying on logarithms, may deny your winning bid falsely claiming the problem is not on their end (PayPal) but yours.  I found that out the hard way when I bid on a giant gorgeous Mexican 50-peso, 1.2 t z coin described as an "heirloom" -- the seller's other merchandise included no coins whatsoever -- was denied me because PP determined it did not fit my "buying pattern." It was 2 a.m. Sunday morning. What could I do?  I walked into my bank on Monday and a platform assistant assured me there was nothing wrong with my account. (I already knew that.)  But enough about me, what about your thrills of victory and agonies of defeat? The floor is open!
 
 

...fully aware of "big red"'s legacy, watched all 3 races...the real question is which "big red" would have won a head-to-head stakes race???...never know, but i can sell u a fractional share in both for a single saint....

Not an "investment" in the sense that without dividends, growth, or income....it will likely NOT compound over a long period of time.

...quite possibly, but basically it means the submitter requested the coin just be authenicated....fyi, i just returned from attending the PAN coin show, u will be happy to know that gold was doing quite well saints included...bullion was strong, and sources tell me that the costco nutter-butter machines r chugging rite along as well....

...accurate, but not the purpose for gold...the litmus test is..."at the end of the day, would u prefer a pocket full of gold or a basket full of greenbacks?"....

Proof 1964 Washington quarter, NGC graded PF 69 though not as mirrorlike as some and rather inexpensive:

A finalized and reviewed version of my research is slated to appear as the cover story in November's issue of The Numismatist. I think a few members here will enjoy the read. 

Once, just once, I would like to hear a set registrant's answers to these questions about earnings, dividends and preferential gains treatment.
Let's limit the field to the heavyweights: Saints.
There are 576 such collectors here (granted, many owned by a single collector) and 1194 sets (again, many owed by one collector "over there.")
We are talking about a total of 1170. Never mind the other denominations and any loose coins, here or elsewhere.
So what's the point of all this collecting if everyone is simply walking down the up escalator?  Gold rooster collectors, too. 
There are 13 sets here; 83 "over there," 96 total.
That's the part I don't get. Gold is over $3,000 z. Silver breached $30 z. Copper was up to $5/lb. But we lost our way.  Now if I'd've chain-smoked cigarettes, drank liters of whiskey and sniffed, shot  snorted or smoked dope, I would be above reproach.  If I held gold, I am okay, but not too smart, investment wise.  Must mean I wasn't raised right.  🤣
 

I’m into this one for $1,705.72 after fees.  And spot is $1,636.96 as of this post.  Meaning I paid a premium of $68.76 over today’s spot.  (Too lazy to do the math- what sort of % premium is that?)
But I got a coin already NGC certified, with a mintage of only 23,000 pieces.  Sure, it’s the most common date for the type, but still a pretty small mintage compared to many modern bullion coins.
And I note that the NGC (Krause) priceguide lists this coin for $2,050 in MS65… and mine is an MS66- with only 8 pieces graded higher.  
(Not to mention it also has the sentimental value of being from my birthyear.)
So for me at least, it made a little more sense than some other random piece of bullion.  Though it likely doesn’t have huge potential for an increase in numismatic value beyond its bullion content, I do think it’s got a little more potential there than a basic modern bullion coin would.  

Following is a distillation of five years' experience as an active chat board participant which I would like to share with you to enhance your experience here whether you are new, an amateur part-time collector or a seasoned professional numismatist.
1.  First and foremost, Please read the Guidelines of conduct expected on the Board and consult the Subforums to better acquaint yourself with "Basic Resources" and "What you should know" (WYSK) about coins and coin collecting.
2.  Resist the impulse to jump in.  (Attendees of self-help groups, those engaged in courtship -- and patients recovering from major surgery are advised to avoid making important decisions for various lengths of time, and for good reason.) Chat Board participation is no different.  As you navigate the boards, certain coins or coin problems will resonate with you. My advice: resist the impulse, temptation or compulsion to join in.  Familiarize yourself with the Boards, paricipating members and the context of posts first.
3.  GET TO KNOW THE PLAYERS!  Rightly or wrongly, the forums are a one-room schoolhouse. They are comprised of the young and old, the experienced and inexperienced, the novice ("Newbie") and the seasoned veteran professional. Remember, first impressions count! And the impression and reputation you develop will follow you, for better or worse, for the duration of your membership.
4.  Cultivate a positive attitude and personality.  To the extent you can, adhere to the standards of proper English, grammar and spelling.
5.  The Guidelines are key and should be referred to as needed.  Avoid feeding into cantankerous exchanges, outright hostility, personal slights or insults. If you do encounter it, "report" it.  You can do this by engaging the three small vertically arranged "dots" located at the top, right-hand side of every post. Press on all three, one of which is "report" and briefly describe your problem. The "report" you make will be reviewed when it is received.   You may not respond to any violation you may perceive on the Chat Board directly, whether directed to you or others.
6.  If you come across a Topic which exhibits a coin and an anomaly much like yours, do not post yours on the thread that follows so as not to confuse viewers. Very often, threads focused on one coin will cause  consternation to those following the thread resulting in confusion and effectively "derailing" the thread. You are encouraged to start your own thread.
7.  Avoid hit-and-run posts by referring viewers to sites which promote your own interests, or others, for financial gain. The only proper place to sell or trade coins is the Topic: "Coin Marketplace."  Posts which promote commercial ventures like research are violative of the Guidelines, fly in the face of ethics and will be reported and removed.
8.  Lengthy dissertations lauding a member's most recent acquisition may be addressed succinctly by tapping the appropriate emoji.
9.  At times, you may finish writing a post, press SEND, only to see your work disappear.  Not to worry. Your post may have been enveloped in a backlog which the Moderators are attending to. One of three things may have happened if you revisit the Topic and tap the space your post formerly occupied: a). your post was rejected; b). your post was accepted but no longer quite fits in within the progression of what may have become a heated, usually fast-moving thread, and the matter, having been addressed, you can tap the x meaning "Clear Editor," or c). your post had been cleared, held for your review and only requires you tap the x on the extreme right to be followed by your pressing send, for posting.
10.  If the names of all the regulars, their areas of interest, their likes, pecking order (alliances) confuse you, you may wish to keep a scorecard. It will go a long way to to helping you understand Who' Who, their likes and dislikes, who the contenders are, where they are from, whether they are working or retired, and, while technically all are members -- to post you must be a member -- some are more so than others.  Remember, we are all human and come from all walks of life. We also have our good days and bad. It's best not to take things personally. If you wish to contact a member, you may wish to "private message" the person directly via PM, if that member makes that option available. Look for the "envelope" which may be engaged by simply tapping their name on any post.  The longest-running threads appear first. Members are encouraged to introduce or maintain topics that are based on numismatic themes.
In closing, Happy Hunting and Good Luck!
-Henri Charriere, 5/17/2024

You're a good sport, Roger!  I am going to waive the wait period just for you.
That man, now deceased was none other than...
MENACHEM BEGIN, a former Prime Minister of Israel -- and leader of the Irgun.  Mass murderer? Terrorist? Most Wanted Fugitive? Convicted Felon? Ex-convict?  Yes, those things and many more, but also the Sixth Prime Minister of Israel.
Edit;  All of the foregoing facts, with a slew of additional sources, may be found by searching for "Menachem Begin," and the "King David Hotel Bombing" Wikipedia.
(I thank Moderation for allowing me to illustrate my point that there are many sides to a story.)

@RWB : While my reply may suggest political and religious overtones, the ONLY point I wish to make is:  there are two (and sometimes many more) sides to every story.  I am going to set forth some indisputable facts which I would appreciate your reviewing, followed by a single question and references (which if posted, or moved to "Unsolicited comments," will appear tomorrow, after you, and our armchair historians have had a chance to view it).
● He ordered an attack in 1946 on British military and administrative personnel headquartered at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine which resulted in the destruction of the building's southern wing and the deaths of 91 people, mostly British, Arabs and Jews, soldiers -- and 3 policemen; (46 people were injured.)
●  His face appears on a 1940 prison mugshot I believe taken in Russia; he was born in Belarus.
●  The Palestine Police Force placed him FIRST on its Most Wanted Men list, along with nine others being sought. Throughout the period of unrest, the British MI-5 placed a "dead or alive" bounty of £10,000 on his head.
●  During the 1950's, he was banned from entering the U.K. as the British Government regarded him as "leader of a the terrorist organization -----."
There is much much more but this will suffice and I do not wish to take advantage of Moderation's hospitality.
MY ONLY QUESTION IS:  WHO WAS THIS MAN?

THE RUMOR YOU MAY HAVE HEARD IS TRUE!
I figuratively stabbed my most ardent fan, not to mention my legion of Ignorers, squarely in the back.  How so, you might ask?  Easy.  I sent in my membership renewal... [Upon the advice of counsel, Ricky, 🐓 I sent my remittance in, eschewing crisp currency, for the security of a money order.] There is always the possibility that NGC, having weathered my antics, for years, will refuse to accept it, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.  Now for those not quite satisfied with that explanation I offer you the wisdom of our good friend from the Heart of Dixie who once said:  "I'd rather be RIGHT, than nice." To my knowledge, no one has challenged his fantastic assertion.
With me, I'd rather be fluid and truthful, than consistent and untruthful.  I announced my resignation, and save for the few that got wind of it and urged me not to, no one batted an eye.  So I ask you, gentle reader, what's the point of leaving, if you're not going to be missed?  As Putin, through an interpreter, said to Biden -- who, in substance, had just exclaimed, "I am looking into your eyes, Mr. President, and I do not see a soul," -- "We understand each other exactly."
Readership, we understand each other.
 

Biggest problem is that the low-hanging fruit has been plucked and there's been no great technological improvement in mining efficiency as there has been with oil production and fracking.
Throw in decades of lousy M&A and CAPX projects and shareholder destruction and it's no wonder gold production has stalled (peaked ?).  Let's see if a stustained price close to $2,400 (or more) boosts production.  Effects are usually HIGHLY lagged.

Just another in a string of "none of anyone's business" logorrhea.  Come to think of it, you'd be the perfect participant on the P--- Set Registry where an inordinate number of people post their sets anonymously -- you don't know who they are, what their set looks like and there is no way to contact them. Now I know why you were bestowed the honor of President of the Anti-Social Social Club. In the end, no one will be surprised when, despite the incessant boasting, bragging and name-dropping, all you've ever had was that stone from Yap. Funny how those types gravitate to the "competitive sets" site. Contrary to MM's parting shot, I do have my big boy's pants on. I couldn't care less about death or the IRS. My wife? There's enough room to hide from her under my table. After all, I Am a Man.  

Obviously, I cannot speak to the motivations of other collectors, but I can say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I never met any collector of the female persuasion who was not curious as to which mule carried which bag or ore down the mountain. I mean, that's pretty basic stuff.  Also, though she may not be consciously aware of it, Penny, Charmy's pet is a critical component of her sales' strategy. In fact most collectors would inquire, "Hey, where's Penny?" first before they'd ask her about some quadrupled-die obverse Lincoln she may have picked up somewhere in her travels...   🤣

...so many words n space to say nothing...sad....

...the prerequisite to broadening, enlightening n revealing is that one has to have something to start with, perhaps there's an aide in the checkout line at the local grocery store...i dont think peter griffin has been taken yet....

...one has to acknowledge even doggie doo-doo on ones shoe lest one soil everything one treads upon even if its more doo-doo...sometimes one just buys a new pair of shoes....

...interesting, but possibly u have the full-timers n part-timers confused...

...ive requested a vomit n a pathetic emoji three times but apparently they r lost in the mail...eliminating the rot usually saves the foundation....

Even without the misspelled edge lettering, I would say it is a counterfeit.

Why not put this post I’m the “Ask NGC/NCS” forum. 
Someone there would be more capable of answering your question.

Yep, post in the Ask NGC forum to try and get an answer or better yet email service@NGCcoin.com or pick up a telephone. Way better to call or email NGC than post on an open forum.