Henri Charriere

[FWIW: Pique/piqued... You piqued my interest!]

A bit too elaborate for me, but why is it the first thing that comes to mind is "cabinet friction"? 🤣

FWIW regarding F20FGR set registrants... On the East coast, 74 collectors collect Gold Roosters but only 49 are listed on the Set Registry website. [If am mistaken, I will retract the sadly mistaken assertion.] Interestingly, some of the minor collectors in this 16-coin series possess coins none of the top ten have. And the two top sets are still incomplete, as of this writing, presumably waiting until a highly-graded specimen becomes available than acquire a lesser, place filler coin, which would jeopardize their set rating and [possibly] top ten ranking. On the West Coast, there are only 13 Gold Rooster sets registered and listed as "Current Finest." Coincidentally, or not, 7 also comprise the "All-Time Finest" (All Eras.)... in order of rank. It is fairly easy to deduce who the potential whales are. They settle early on on the highest grades available and, because many share the Hansen gene and are compiling several sets simulataneously, are in no hurry to complete their sets. I look forward to taking my sets down at the appropriate interval to allow the gentlemen currently occupying the # 11th rank to assume elevation to the Top Ten sets, and the # 2 man on the West coast, whose set I admire greatly, to ascend to the # 1 spot.

It gives me great pleasure to recognize, somewhat belatedly owing to your dizzying international itinerary, your 10,000th post on the NGC Chat Boards which has indubitably expanded the "body of knowledge" for the benefit of your dozens of followers, the up-and-coming young numismatists, the membership-at-large, and every numismatic endeavor you continue to volunteer your services to. Congratulations!

Her only "crime," -- sorry if someone is offended, is being unphotogenic. The Mint's "crime" is worse: introducing a "classic" coin, whetting the appetites of collectors with a design not many have familiarity with, and before all the precincts have tallied the votes, and called them in, pulling the offering. The problem with the picks is you either love 'em or hate 'em.

Blast from the Past! 🐓: Remember the days when a member boasted there were a total of 150 years of numismatic knowledge and experience amongst the members on the Forum? Q.A.: Sure! How can I forget that? 🐓: Comes now, a newbie, who toils away quietly at his computer -- dispenses entirely with cuneiform clay tablets, fragments of Ming vases, terra cotta armies and giving Krakatau, which failed to fall within the stated time frame, and thus, was irrelevant to the matter at hand, short shrift, and a member -- not here even a year, exuding calm and confidence, cooly delivers, in substance, his verdict. Q.A.: Now tell me this isn't the best forum in the United States. Even the Grand Master and Numismatist of the Year was impressed with what the OP correctly characterized as "research." Nice going, @cobymordet ! Man, I love this place! 🤣

If that were true, however, that giant silver bar, dubbed the Eureka, recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Central America (1857) would have looked like a Tommy gun had riddled it with bullets after being exposed to salt water for an extended period of time and did not appear the worse for wear. Well, only three (3) more votes needed.

[While we await the arrival of the Mad Scientist to explain what he did to this coin -- and why, I thought I should mention Moderation "disappeared" my reply so it's safe to assume caustic household cleaners, particularly those cited by name, may be too suggestive for viewers of this column. As it stands, counterfeiting is out, cleaning is out, not because no one voted for it but because no one cannot imagine any collector engaging in it to such excess. That leaves exposure to a liquid which Moderation will not permit me to mention by name. Fair enough. Contrary to what some members may believe, Moderation is alive and well on the Chat boards and they have an array of tools in their arsenal to reign in dues-paying lurkers (ne "guests") like me.]

Note: I am well aware this is an "older" thread. If I may, I should like to make a single observation [which some may cite as inapplicable coming from a collector with limited familiarity with the series]. There is a noticeable difference in the six photos posted by the OP, as opposed to those posted by the respondents, as follows. The OP's coins appear to look identical to some of the IHCs minted with a CuNi alloy in the early 1860's. The examples offered by the other members, in comparison, appear to give off an unmistakeable coppery glow. This observation may mean something, or nothing at all. I offer the comment for what it's worth.

No one's brought it up, but I suppose now it can be told: by the time you composed your post and had it posted, requiring IMMEDIATE attention, the truth is eliciting advice on a highly time-sensitive matter, is not possible. 🤔

Me thinks it would be better to send the whole kit n kaboodle in simultaneously. It's possible they were all submitted at different times but I believe it important that NCS view the entire progression at one time. My guess is this is not the first time they have seen damage like this and I wouldn't be surprised if the answer comes back quickly: "Yes, we've seem this before and either CAN do something to remove it, or CANNOT." If the damage cannot be addressed or abated or arrested, there would be little point in re-holdering any coin in that condition. But I get ahead of myself, let's hope for the best and also hope the OP posts his results. I do not believe gold is susceptible to something like this but if it happened to me, I would be devastated [and Kurt would smugly observe, Now you know why I refer to the TPGS who holdered your coins on the West coast as the four-letter concern].

My feeling is if a collector elects to have a coin encapsulated, ostensibly to protect it from harm--or further harm, he should not be required to look in on it from time to time. I don't know whether PCI provided a guarantee or disclaimer at POS, but seeing as how the damage is done and either, or both, the holder or adverse storage conditions may be to blame, this is one instance where I would forward the item intact to enable conservation to examine the evidence as a unit. Many developments have since been made in better understanding the interaction between plastics and metals and the answer to this damage may only be found and explained after an examination of both the coin and its sarcophagus. I would urge you to send the affected coins encased in slabs intact for conservation and investigation if for no other reason than to broaden the hobby's body of knowledge regarding encapsulations and the materials used in their production.

My sincerest condolences! 🤣

As a strategic liar, I would not want to see you impugn the character, reputation and good names of the other 20 million people of my state. We, in New York City, do not lie, per se. We employ terminological inexactitudes, misspeak, have trouble refreshing our recollections, or simply do not recall when it serves our purpose, but no more grievously than the USG or DoD. Regrettably, I cannot say the same for California. Now, while you may defy categorization or characterization due to your mercurial temperament, I believe it fair to say, judging in part to your considerable number of followers, that you can be trusted implicitly. I know I do.

Note: Held for review by Moderation. [FWIW... The link to quiz is inoperative on my wife's antique android, so I Googled the matter and was referred to CU, which I mention only to state I wanted to access the quiz particulars without re-taking the quiz which some would find ethically repugnant, i.e., if it is even possible. What I found among other things was the "rationale" used by the blue-ribbon committees, a list of each of the 21 coins as well as photos supplemented by member discussions. I was so displeased with the entire matter, as apparently others were on this Forum, that I vowed (privately) to post my own quiz which would give our own membership some idea as to where we stand on free choice. But I quickly became disenchanted with all the talk concerning re-issues, re-strikes, retro reproductions and, worst of all, not only talk of proposed mintages, but caps on same. Ka-ching! I am a simple viejo in the twilight of my life. When I first proposed celebrating the 250th anniversary, I had a modest image of classic coin designs. I wanted the up-and-coming hobbyist to experience what some of us older folks had decades earlier, in hand. Indian Heads, Buffaloes, etc. What I found, much to my dismay, was not a version of an old Twilight Zone episode but minds which do not share my vision. Ideally, in addition to all the jetsam and flotsam already out there, I would have wanted the seven basic coin denominations -- cent, nickel, dime quarter, half-dollar and dollar -- produced in present-day mintage runs to insure they would remain in circulation for a long time, but the Mint threw in the term "numismatic" which killed the dream for me and hence a cherry-picked, restricted list of "picks" and the proferred regurgitated monstrosities. When there is a classic coin produced for every man, woman and child imbued with a sense of nostalgia, I'm in. Until then, I'm out. Oh, and incidentally, including any coin 99.44% of which the public has never seen, heard of or even knew existed, on a jury-rigged quiz, is not my idea of a classic. I thank @Lem E again for bringing to the memberships' attention word on this development which otherwise may very well have eluded our notice.]

This matter was addressed several posts up last nite as soon as it was brought to my attention. (See above.) If one were to follow the natural progression of posts it is impossible to miss having been posted some 18 hours ago. My thoughts on the subject, while generally well-known, were most unfortunately posted on the OP's thread. A simple misunderstanding. For those interested in engaging in this type of activity, the correct procedure is described in detail elsewhere on the web. Notably, the procedure is performed while the encapsulation is propped up vertically on its side, cushioned on either side, to safely eliminate all damage. To my knowledge, no TPGS will speak on the matter for attribution. My apologies to the OP for causing you unnecessary distress. I do hope your lots command the highest possible prices.

Sure, how about a nullification of his unconditional immunity resulting in a stagnant, dead-in-the water ambiance, across-the-board on the various chat board forums?

Editorial comment: if a coin, such as is shown, requires adjustment to the point of utter defacement, it should be withdrawn, re-melted and re-minted, no iffs, ands or glutei maximi.

To the Editor: Yes, my previous content was restored, provisionally -- more times than I care to recall -- but, as now, it dissipated into thin air as soon as my back was turned.

I don't care what the results of the in-house polls are. It costs $20. to cross the Verrazzano in a car, over 30 bucks to simply take in the view at the top of the ESB and well over $100 to cross the GWB in a semi. A saw buck is chicken feed in comparison. And I haven't even gotten to some of the better-known churches and museums.

There are coin establishments that boast they have dedicated coin detectives that can find you the coin you are looking for with a myriad network of contacts at their disposal. Surely, they jest. If that were true, I would have had at least one of the three coins I an looking for years ago. French 20-franc gold roosters: 1910 or 1913 or 1914, PCGS-certified MS-67. HOW 'BOUT AN APP FOR THAT? NO RAW; NO FDC (used by the French to designate all grades within the MS-65 to MS-70 range); and no other TPGS which cannot guarantee a successful cross-grade.

Close enough: manipulatable

Senescence. Nah, you're made of sterner stuff.

To the OP: No offense given; none taken. Your first post makes it abundantly clear you have a legitimate concern. My remarks were directed at those who engage in this type of activity nilly-willy, for sportand profit. I have nothing but the highest regard for you and your long-time endeavor.

Confidence is a luxury I can ill afford as it pertains to my line of coins. It's amazing what a measly two-point spread can do to a man.