RWB

Counting authentication quantity changes of this date/mint over time -- I don't remember the interval -- at NGC and PCGS. Then comparing rates against earlier and later periods.

The original coin holders are always best, unless the holder is damaged or you absolutely MUST have the coin in some company's expensive packaging. Why do I advocate this? Every exposure of a modern collector coin to the air greatly increases the potential for surface contamination - dust, spots, metal loci. It also increases the likelihood of abrasion, finger prints, moisture, and on an on. The US Mint's handling and packaging systems are much more sophisticated than any TPGs, including positive, filtered airflow, localized ionization, strict objective examination, etc., and the ability to discard any coin that fails.

It is never a "waste of time" if you or others learned something beneficial from the experience here. You've gained exposure to the slimy side of coin collecting. Now, how about looking for a nearby coin club or legitimate (aka: honest) coin sellers and begin with a fresh perspective? I think you will find members here very supportive, informative, and generous with their knowledge.

What I learned was reported in the DE book. It appears efforts were taken by all involved to hide or misdirect information about the coins and their acquisition. Unless a principal participant comes forth with a verifiable disclosure, we will never know the truth.

The various currency standards based on gold or silver (or toasted turtle eggs) served only to constrain economic growth by requiring formal dilution of the standard item so that more currency could be available for commerce. The US version was to issue several kinds of "gold notes" each backed by a decreasing proportion of metal. Other countries openly devalued, repudiated or did nothing. One outcome was increased speculation in exchange rates and artificial demand against a fixed supply. Technological changes had a major impact as did WW-I price inflation. The cost of producing gold rose above the government-set value - that is, the "standard" was not stable and could therefore not be a standard.

Acid or strong alkali on the surfaces. If struck through on a piece of cloth, the edge would be affected too, and the faces would have the weave showing.

Used to hunt plethora when I was a kid. They were small plethora, and even a little 22-short didn't leave much. After cleaning, to took, maybe, a dozen to make a burger.

No. It was part of normal behavior. Much like silver dollars, paper equivalents were much more convenient. And...paper was a precise quantity -- wear did not matter.

1) It appears the "seller" is exceptionally ignorant and lacks the slightest accepted standards of ethical conduct. 2) Why are you talking to this person?

The only demand for DE was for export, so it didn't matter if they were "held as reserves" or not. This is much like the D and S mints later on.

Congrats to all who won, and too all who keep trying!

Long ago auction companies graded the coins they offered and verified varieties; they sometimes mentioned cleaning and other defects. Now, all of that - regardless of circumstances - is copied from TPG labels. Auction companies almost never ask questions - they merely move merchandise.

According to T Louis Comparette, Curator of the Philadelphia Mint Cabinet, 1921 DE were struck only for reserve purposes, and not intended for immediate distribution. (He was able to get a few in December 1921for Godard and others for whom he supplied new coins direct.) The situation changed a few months later and by spring 1922s were available to Comparette for private distribution to museums and large private collections. 1921s trickled out later. Comparette kicked to bucket in June 1922, the Cabinet was soon closed to visitors, and then turned over to the Smithsonian in a sloppy 1823 transaction without a complete inventory. Director Moy finally signed the official transfer last decade.

Nope. Wrong dies, "satin" can't also be "cameo," Not a medal press product, edge and rim wrong, etc., etc.

Never met that coin.

Then ask those clearly and directly. The old ANA suggestion is a good one - but applies to normal, undamaged coins. A "problem" coin will always be a "problem" coin.

Yep.

Sounds as if you are trying to convince yourself of something.

Damage. Something hard hit the coin and dented it. Take a quarter from your packet and wack it a few times with a hammer, screw driver, other coins, a teenager...anything hard and unvielding.

One cannot "polish out an earlier" digit from a die. That produces a coin lump the same height as the digit's depth. One has to fill the digit hole in the die, smooth and blend the filling, then punch in the correct digit. An alternative is to drill out the digit, insert a steel plug, smooth and blend, then punch the new digit. The multitude of small variations suggests the Philadelphia Mint filled the unwanted digit(s). Same for O/CC reverse dies.

Possibly. If I come across anything that clearly reports the redemption criteria, I'll publish it. "Worn, mutilated, damaged, dirty" are the common operative words.

TPGs promised "forever grading" and stability, so WHEN a coin was graded must, therefore, be immaterial -- all of the same "grade" must be identical.

Yep, and 96,000 struck from July 1 to Sept 30 were destroyed. That VAMpires ignore the others is a curiosity of their specialty. "Bartender. Martini, dry, 1 olive, please." "Sorry. sir. We're out of 1 olive. Would 2 olives be OK?" "Sure, but hold the pimentos." "Ah...can't do that, sir. The boss gets upset if I act personal with the peppers."

These organizations, trade associations, chambers of commerce, etc. exist to promote commercial operations - they do not exist to investigate, improve, maintain ethical ideals, promote accuracy truth or honesty. Professional credential organizations do a little of that but only deal with the most egregious situations and only among their members. The closest American Numismatics comes to having any meaningful science is when the Guide Book is accidentally shelved next to A Brief History of Time.

"So here is another error I have. Spiked Head." Uhhh, sorry, but that's Jefferson's nose.