RWB

Would have been helpful if they'd told you why it was "not suitable for certification." Was it wearing shoes and a shirt? Had it been vaccinated?

Will they have a table at the next ANA?

I was asked the source of the photo of "Holder #5934600-2 LOT #46128" shown above. This is one of the initial record photos I made several years ago. Photos are part of the basic documentation I do before moving forward with research. This includes photos, measurement of diameter along two axis, thickness (2 axis), weight, density, alloy if known, and description. This allows me to separate items by design, composition, weight and other physical characteristics. In turn, I can then begin comparison of known items with descriptions and pieces from other accumulations. For Inco, the Whitman blue folders with typed labels (Smithsonian and private collection) helped a lot.

Reminds me of the guy running a shabby convenience store in NW. GA.....

That should be the Montana state bird -- and on their state quarter !

We can't have collections if there are no collectors. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/science-environment-59074118

TPG authentication populations are largely meaningless. They are simply reports of coins graded, not of those produced or that exist.

Honest questions are always welcome, although you should expect some differences in the answers. I tend to be conservative and strict in grading and attributing coins. Others here disagree and they have their reasons for doing so. Mark is the most notable and we have had some lengthy disagreements on numismatic subjects. But, I feel we each also maintain respect for those opinions even if they are not shared all the time.

Not a legitimate coin. Not part of the series. Not produced like a real coin - "Privy marks" ? Come on folks -- it's NCLT. And it's not even in the legal alloy for a US silver coin! How greedy can people get?

Compare the reverse field luster on the coin you posted, with that on the 1921-S. Note the "halo" of original luster near relief on the 1921, and then look at the same areas on your graded coin. Additionally, notice the abrasion and damage especially on Liberty's cheek on the 1921, and compare it to the appearance of the same area on your coin.

Good idea -- give them something to hold in their hands. (If you can afford it, a token with your name and contact info is something collectors will keep. Give them out freely. You might ask local merchants if you can put some on a sales counter, and offer them a commission on any purchases you make as a result....)

Nope. It reinforces the wear and disturbed luster. The coin is not uncirculated -- but have hope --- It once WAS uncirculated and if the arrow of time reverses it will be again!

When fresh, Bicentennial coins were tasty and nicely seasoned. However, over time tastes have changed and they probably need a little more spice now -- maybe a dash of sriracha or some really good green chilies.....

The main project is researching reality for restrikes, novodels, pattern distribution, etc. It's going to take a long time. So much confusion, assumption, blind guesses in the past that the truth is deeply buried - if it can even be dug up. Short term, I've written three little articles on half cent proofs (1840-1848 period). Some of the restrike research will likely also produce articles - but I might write them, then allow them to "age" a little while I gather more information.

When I buy items for research, it is temporary....I can't afford to hold the coins or medals for long once the research project is complete. In this instance, Julian Leidman was willing to split the cost with me, and then wait while I completed research and published the book. (The research coins and the book are separate items - one does not fund the other.) Now that the project is complete, the coins are being sold by Heritage. Julian and I will split the proceeds equally. (He has been very patient with my slow research and analysis process - that's something very special and unusual for a major coin dealer.) The reason for buying certain research coins/medals is that knowledge from research is incremental - it builds in small pieces over time. By holding a research piece, I can easily refer to it at any time in order to compare with others that I can only examine briefly, or compare to newly discovered written materials. Obviously, I have to be careful in what I buy -- there is no unlimited, or buy-and-hold budget here. In this case, I was able to leverage over 100 pieces, most with identification envelopes from the testing company or INCO.

Here's a sample: Holder #5934600-2 LOT #46128. (1977-78) Gould $1. MS68 NGC. RB-1360. 8.46 g. Nickel. Rich, nearly perfect surfaces. Strongly magnetic.

If member Zoins or anyone else wants to see photos of specific coins, they can check the Heritage auction site, or ask and I can pull them from my personal files. (The auction photos are from Heritage or NGC, but I also have my original research photos.)

"Esty" has a lot of nonsense values for pocket change. That seems to be the most common place to find such things. Your 1947-S cent is circulated and damaged. It has no collector value.

FYI - Here is a Kennedy half (30.6mm diameter) with the diameter of an Anthony dollar (26.5mm, black circle) superimposed to scale. Notes: A small dollar planchet would probably not seat in the center of the Kennedy half collar. If a vertical press were used for the halves, the dollar planchet would naturally fall to the bottom of the collar. The superimposition does not match - or come close to matching - the illustrated coin. Would there be enough metal in the dollar planchet to fill out the Kennedy portrait and the reverse eagle design? How could reeding be applied to a planchet that is significantly smaller than the half dollar? How does one get uniform detail on the coin when the dies are convex and do not match the planchet upset height or angle? (An unrestricted planchet will likely expand unevenly and produce both a non-round coin, and degradation of the design due to unrestrained metal flow.) As Condor's comments suggest, it takes a lot more than saying "it looks like" to establish the truth....or maybe this is really a "Specimen" coin?

NGC and PCGS have their software built and maintained by contractors. How performance is monitored is defined in the agreement between the TPG and SW vendor/builder and the website developer.

The most useful way to help a SW developer is to explain exactly what happens. Start at the beginning and describe what you see and what happens when you try different things. If the SW is well documented (Use-Cases are common) a SW developer can identify the problem, find the defective or misbehaving code, and make a correction. They will test it on various platforms and browsers, then upload the revised compiled code.

There's Ashbrook, who got the Federal Charter through Congress, Henderson and the group from Ohio. In the 70s-80s there were Hancoqk, Gould and others who started coin authentication, exposed blatant counterfeiting, started independent grading, wrote an independent grading guide, etc. etc. These were significant changes in both hobby and business of numismatics - now are assumed by even the feeblest novice dealer.

Hard to say, really. The book was the first meaningful description and organization of the pieces, especially in identification of "odd" metals such as niobium, powdered and sintered titanium, molybdenum, private 'coins' with embedded magnetic strip, etc. There are several pieces in grades 65 through 69 (!) and which would be called "proof" if one merely looked at the pieces. (No real "proof" pieces were made and none made for collectors, but the PL pieces are excellent.) Also, there are quite a few planchets and blanks used in testing by a vending machine manufacturer in Arkansas, and these have rarely - some never - appeared in any auction. Suggest you check past auctions to get an idea of prices.

Whatever the minor disagreements, it was appropriate to ANA to take action. Maybe a generic title of award is best - that's for the Board of Directors to decide. My hope is that it will be used to improve the stature and relevance of the organization, and begin to rebuild ANA's value potential.

Forthcoming Heritage auction of International Nickel Corp. (INCO) and Gould, Inc. private pattern pieces. These were the subject of a detailed research book I wrote a couple of years ago: Private Pattern and Related Pieces: International Nickel & Gould Incorporated. Seneca Mill Press LLC. 2019. https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/9555/ngc-certified-inco-and-gould-patterns-in-auction/