Henri Charriere

At the risk of incurring the wrath of, or being ostracized from the membership for entertaining the thought of airing heretical or blasphemous statements -- after having read what you've written twice, I believe your concern is misplaced. The very first thing I would do if I were truly enamored of this arcane aspect of coin collecting is study it exhaustively (or bone up on it) after consulting every authoritative reference known and available to the experienced collector, of which there are quite a few on this Forum. The expense involved in submissions ought to take a back seat to a thorough understanding of the subject matter at hand. I am not well-grounded in the subject matter and, in fact, am continually astonished and mesmerized by those who are. But, to each his own. Put the horse before the cart. If you submit, you have a responsibility to know what you have in hand. Hopefully, informed members will weigh in with the sources you should consult in order to submit with confidence.

🐓 : not a peep from all the set registrants... I wonder why? H.C.: too much of a stigma, I guess...

One possible last-minute reprieve... produce a short video of the coin's reverse pivoting from the obverse, clock-wise on its rim, in one continual motion. Barring that, I will authorize a substantial sum of money to whomever is currently exercising care, custody and control of the hub used to produce this unique coin before it was abruptly withdrawn from service.

Perhaps then, you can potentially save me a lot of time, trouble and expense if you would be so kind as to decipher the following overture I received yesterday from Heritage Auctions: You are invited to a special State of the Market Commentary, Unlocking the Secrets of the World & Ancient Coins Market: What You Need to Know Now... [which includes the following reference, among others, to]... 2023 November 3. THE OTAH COLLECTION OF PHYSICAL CRYPTOCURRENCY PLATINUM SESSION AND SIGNATURE AUCTION PART 1 3112.

As with every post, I view the coin(s) displayed from the perspective most favorable to the "defendant" absent compelling circumstances suggesting otherwise. Unfortunately, the "People" comprising a limited but notable cross-section of the membership who've weighed in early on at the very outset -- one armed with documentary evidence, have advanced clear and convincing evidence suggesting other than what the OP asserts. I don't know that a view of the reverse would be a deal-maker, or breaker. The truth is, tho the cent appears to be eligible for Federal Disaster Aid, even that falls far short of the serious consideration any contender deserves absent this one's deplorable state. As painful to state plainly as it may seem, with the loss of metal and irreparably damaged condition, there is cause to question whether it even continues to retain its face value.

Note: written an hour ago; published now. Am I to understand none of what the OP and foregoing members have described constitutes "human error"? A few years back I ordered a 1907 MS-67 coin, and received a 1911 MS-67, instead. No big deal, right? Perhaps not, but for the fact the former is the most common in that series while the latter is one of its rarest. I did what any responsible collector would do and shot off a message to the vendor immediately offering to return it, exchange it, or pay the difference in price between the two. At the very least, I wanted their inventory to reflect an accurate accounting of what they had on hand. For reasons I never understood -- perhaps reluctance to admit such a grievous, costly error, or the embarrassment and/or inconvenience and expense entailed in making an adjustment requiring a conversion of euros back to dollars -- they demurred and told me to keep the rarer, more costly coin, with their compliments. A quick check of their website had the correct date listed, 1907, accompanied by the wrong photograph of a 1911 I hadn't noticed before. It was perhaps one of the few times when the advisory, "You will get the exact coin pictured," was incorrect, but not objectionable. To me a "mechanical error" accurately illustrates neither the OP's circumstance, nor mine. But if this is the current terminology being used, I withdraw my objection, and [to echo the famous line uttered by former Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett] "do so politely." 🤣

If I may be so bold as to inquire... ...where were you exactly -- what did you see or hear -- that prompted you to make these remarkably keen extrapolations? Enquiring minds would like to know!

You have done an enviable job under the circumstances.

None of my slabs are snickered. Neither here, nor "there." But thanks.

Rain? Moi? Not at all. As you may know, hybrid set registries do not extend to world gold coins. No CMQ? No problem. You just saved me a whole lot of time and trouble. I appreciate the heads-up. It is always an honor and a privilege hearing from you.

This is the beauty of the hobby. The collecting is never over. You're beguiled by a single coin. You investigate only to find out there are a dozen more. "I can do this," you think to yourself. You "complete" the run. You go on to an interest in grades, switch to slabs and upgrading, and before you know it, nothing is done until you've tracked down and acquired every one in impeccable top pop nothing finer condition, or 1/0. Comes now Zebo with news that speaks to me personally. I didn't choose Orange Co. They had the Originals locked down overseas. They chose me. I was only minding my own business. [Anyone remember the day a member here posted the intemperant comment, in substance, Why don't you go back to where you belong, (i.e.,the West Coast?)]. Now Zebo has expanded my horizons... Now, in addition to the de rigeur look, three-piece pin-striped suit, shirt 'n' tie, black wingtips, I have to CMQ-ize my compilation. Everything not up to snuff has to go. I have a purpose in my life now. Man I love this place! Thanks again, Zebo!

Re: cookies... just make sure they're oatmeal. 🤣

Hot off CNBC.com... "North Korean hackers have allegedly stolen hundreds of millions in crypto -- accounting for over 20% of all stolen crypto this year -- to fund nuclear programs."

Godspeed. I appreciate the courtesy of your interest and effort!

Maybe what I ought to do is take the Award-winning collection of gold roosters I have and mosey on over to Stack's and have them have a quick look-see. According to the [Orange County] website, no one has ever attempted to put together a "highest graded" set in their entire history. I am both the Current and All-Time Finest collector. And maybe those fine folks can make a suggestion as to what the set's Final Disposition ought to be in consideration of the fact I lack heirs. I am familiar with the innovative technology and Stack's pairing up with those affiliated with "Orange County" will give me the impetus to make my move. I will wait until mid-March of next year, the 5th anniversary of my dedicated collecting endeavors to wait and see if any more sources come up with new merchandise, before pulling the plug. It's been a desert and a drought here for me. Finally, something new. Never did make it to Orlando, Long Beach, Baltimore and Rosemont but the Penny Lady's itinerary and our gallivanting globetrotter, VKurtB, gave me a peek at that world. Now everything is tickety-boo. A rare chance for the # 2 ranked guy to assume the throne and # 11 to become one of the Top Ten. It's a Wonderful Life! Thanks for the tip! I am certain the Moderators here will rejoice as well. 🤣

Let's be fair about this. You know my position on "Orange County," which one member years ago condemned as bashing (for excellent reasons) and I would imagine regular viewers know yours. But in a court of Law, your comment would be characterized as "third-hand hearsay." What is the source of your info? I cannot recall your having ever said you attended any of their functions, expos, shows, what-have-you. Even if you (doubtful) or someone you know (equally doubtful) submitted something to them, I don't believe you have enough data (insider tips?) upon which to base an informed opinion. I know next to nothing about them personally for no other reason than I am no longer a member and have nothing requiring their special brand of opinionated expertise, vis-a-vis technical vs. marketing grading. Now, a warehouse full of pending submissions is very specific information and something your average member would not be aware of. What I can state with certainty, without drawing any conclusions -- which can be confirmed by anyone so inclined is -- allow me to phrase this as a question: To what can the average collector attribute the fact that NGC has certified three times as many MS-67 gold "restrike" roosters than has the four-letter acronym, 182 vs. 63? There are 48, or over four times as many certified by NGC for the date 1912, as there are for the four-letter service: only 10. A quote attributed to Mark Twain -- "There are 3 kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics" -- is inapplicable. Neither TPGS is lying, but the compilations of statistics (one calls a census; the other, population) suggest one of two things. One is grading strictly. The other not as much. Another way of looking at it is a matter of practicality... maybe the one with submissions piled to the rafters is taking things on the good foot and "expediting" the process. I don't know and, lacking a Speed Graphic to worm my way thru crowds, I doubt anyone will confide in me any time soon. But I wonder... how do you know? 🤔

The above piece, entitled "Skeletons on Prison Liberty One Dollar Money Hobo Nickel Coin Collectibles G1," (no commas) arrived earlier than expected and was placed in my mail box earlier today. The tracking number was a combination of letters and numbers 28 spaces long. Notably absent from the shipment was an invoice, or documentation of any kind inside or out, as is customary from vendors using eBay. For various reasons, I am disappointed in the fact that the eBay ad clearly stated the "coin" was to be shipped from Guangdong, China but there is no indication supporting that claim on the label of the generic bubble pack mailed to me -- shipping was free -- discreetly from a likely non-descript warehouse in Louisville, Kentucky. (I wonder if our mild-mannered Just Bob will insist on an investigation of that lackluster location as a conduit for questionable [Red China] artifacts from abroad.) Others well versed in these, pieces with heft, minted with a very fine reeded edge (which serves no useful purpose as no claim was made the metal used was silver) likely would know how to classify them. Is it a counterfeit, a big hobo nickel, a token, or something in between? If there is a member who would like to have this whatever-it-is, kindly text me and it's yours free for the asking. My experiment is over.

I have never denied it is a form of mental disease or defect, an illness that apparently appeals to some, and not others. In the old days, you would be happy to fill a hole. But along comes an indisputably finer example... and then another... and another. Suddenly, higher finer grades appear, and just when you thought you were done, you come to the realization you haven't even begun. The only cure is completion, but after being blindsided a few times with finer material you quickly realize completion is but a state of mind. No one's ranking is permanent.

It was a part of my thought process up until the time I bought a coin -- forget MS-67, for a moment, while I was still in the throes of upgrading, that was designated FDC, which one would assume would fall within the "from MS-65 to MS-70" range, but didn't. It is now in the possession of a fine gentleman in the Heart of Dixie who was delighted to have it. There is much to be said about your approach to collecting. Unfortunately, all I have to rely on when buying "sight-seen," is nothing more than a pixelated photograph and a money-back guarantee. As it is, I would have to eliminate some of the guesswork and that means resorting to formal certification. Can you just imagine me making a decision to sell and haranguing a HA official: "Don't forget to factor in my time, travel, and hotel accommodation expenses!" I'd be laughed right out of there. I tell you the Set Registry experience, much like the lottery, brings out the very best, or worse, in people. 🤣

[First time I have seen a formal letter written to a government agency using the salutation, "Gents:".]

I received a very cordial greeting from a gentleman likely few collectors outside this series are acquainted with: Geoffrey Winstein of Win Numis. He writes that he remembered our "deal" in 2019 and added a tidbit concerning my present wish list, in substance, as follows: We have graded 400 such coins since (high-end 20 Franc Gold Roosters, that is) and only 4 were returned as MS-67. [Emphasis mine.] An MS-67 is a rare thing to behold and few certified examples remain in collectors' hands. (Though he does not mention it specifically, no example from the "original" series (1899-1906) has been so graded) and the number of originals graded MS-66, between both top TPGS, has remained stagnant at nine (9).

I believe members will have to factor in Idalia, and bear in mind too, that submission times are mere estimates and not something chiseled into granite.

Prompted by your post, I did a little excavating of my own. Several patents were issued for coin bunching machines, and the like, in the period from 1901 to 1910. By 1911, banks began using automatic coin-wrapping machines, some using different colors to denote different denominations. It wasn't until 1913, after the Federal Reserve Bank was created that their various individual bank districts began utilizing original bank-wrapped rolls (OBW) distinguished by their tightly-sealed ends. So rolls date to the beginning of the 20th Century and, as member Sandon noted not surprisingly, no Morgan dollars have been certified as MS-70. I do hope you pardon my impertinence, but I am curious. If your Morgan surreptitiously marked MS-70 by persons unknown was in fact a high-calibre example, what would you call a Morgan with an unquestionably strong strike, ample, original mint luster, fine color and great eye appeal -- minus the impossible to ignore or overlook commotion on Liberty's left cheek? I believe if an MS-70 Morgan were found, it would rank right up there with coelacanths, passenger pigeons and ivory-billed woodpeckers.

@Hoghead515 : There's your answer, Hog. There was a time when a U.S. Mint product could be had for as little as two dollars and change. (My thanks to the OP and VKurtB!.)

I may be an amateur rookie to some and only peripherally familiar with the series, but I maintain, relying solely on the "Redbook" (which you cloak correctly with quotation marks) that a proof is a proof is a proof. A proof is born a proof and remains a proof for the duration of its life. Should any indignities or distractions occur along the way, there is an app for that. Now that the Sheldon scale has been deemed to be applicable to proofs, with increments assigned to embrace every phenomenon that can be visited upon metal to compromise its integrity, the proof prevails with a double-digit suffix. Nothing can change that. Nothing! I stand firm in my conviction and freely stake my tattered reputation, lack of credibility and knowledge of the series. If my assertion is plain wrong and laughably uninformed, I will relinquish forthwith the descriptor, "Rising Star" that was so generously bestowed upon me by NGC staffers unknown to me.