Henri Charriere

It may seem that way today, but back in the 1960's, if I am not mistaken, the price of proof sets were $2.10 or $2.40.

There are just certain things you would buy from certain countries. You wouldn't buy a slice of Sicilian pizza from a Chop Suey joint or Mexican spot, would you? It's common sense. I once saw a gold 10,000 Haitian gourde with Papa Doc's Visage on it being sold from Fujian province in China. You have to ask yourself how did it get there? True, these possibly proofs were given to dignitaries, but who are you going to call should things go South? VKurtB? I wouldn't count on it. The only thing I would buy from Pakistan is a shalwar kameez. .

Blast from the Past. 🤣 🐓 : You sorry you lost your "guest moderator" spot on the Forum? H.C.: I soy-ten-lee am. The tried and true approach is the best. Sit back, watch, and get to know each of the members well enough to find out where, on the imaginary pecking order, they fit in. It is always helpful to know who identifies with whom. Social media (which VKB was kind enough to point out this Forum is but an example) doesn't lend itself very well to those given to speaking in circumspect ways. Short of inviting the combatants to the White House to hash their differences over a glass of beer, I would advise proceeding with extreme caution. Let's not forget, personal opinions aside, RWB was recognized as "Numismatist of the Year," and like it or not, Barack Obama was a president of the United States. Publicly, here on the Forum, for example, we must not hesitate to give them their due. As one who has been banned, banished, deported, warned, assessed points -- even sent to my room without supper a week straight, I can assure all it was no fun. The Chat Board Guidelines are Law; it behooves all to become intimately familiar with its provisions.

Depending on a coin's numismatic worth, and having checked numerous web sites for the definitive answer, I feel, as a collector, you're treading dangerous ground. If time is not of the essence, why not consult David Hall? He's been dealing with gold for over 40 years. Surely, he would know the answer to this and, having seen a photo of your coin, advise accordingly.

Possibly the most thought-provoking and incendiary reply I have ever read here, or anywhere else, in a super blue moon. When you come out with the heavy artillery, everyone stands down -- including me under all User Names I have chosen to adopt. Talk about a live wire!

Late nite antics... If anyone asks, How come yours looks gold-plated, I'll tell 'em it is! Old mint custom to distinguish the inaugural, first-of-year issues from those to follow. What would you rather have, a tired old shield nickel or gleaming new nickel? PMD? Don't be silly! Intent to deceive? Not at all! All it is is an introductory nickel to introduce a new seres-- with a face lift. All in favor, say Aye! Maybe the mint ought to plate all new coins so that the question of wear can be settled once and for all. Plus, it ought to be easy to tell an original coin from one that's been replated. Illegal? Not at all. Are any of those gold-plated quarter sets illegal? When's the last time you got one in change? V for victory. 🤣

According to some extraordinarily detailed meteorological maps, Sarasota was spared and lay well right of the counter-clockwise thrust of the gusts and storm surge although outlying areas may not have been spared. Last I heard, the hurricane had been downgraded and was already up in the Carolinas. Close call.

Good thing it's yours, I would spritz it with WD-40, let it sit for 37 seconds (giving viewers the impression I am an experienced master chef at this) followed by a cool rinse with distilled water. As with anything in life, always conduct your experiments on a coin with similar composition, without numismatic value. All jokes aside, as it appears to have been certified, it's best to leave it well enough alone. Very lovely coin!

[I am going to withhold comment on this rigamarolesque rowdy dowdy. This will allow the otherwise uninformed to leave having a much better opinion of me, all things considered. Also, burning is the last resort of a scoundrel.]

Humor aside, consider the following: the preponderance of the material I produce, NEVER sees the light of day; unassailable fact: my posts are monitored continually and if the Mods are busy, my contribution is parked on a spur until review is possible. They can be integrated with the content stream only if I make a note to go back, locate them, and manually release them.. Sometimes they are "disappeared." And the ultimate ultimatum: guidelines being only guidelines, I have been informed by our hosts that I am subject to banishment without Warnings, suspensions, time-outs, points, etc. You may see me now and suddenly you very well may not. Crazy? Not at all. QA is a historical artifact. These are enhanced special administrative measures I accept and have no quarrel with. This is simply a good-faith attempt at moderation.

Silver is slated to outperform gold. Why sell anything unless you have to? This is ultimately a personal decision you're going to have to make.

Correctamundo! I assume it is a "voluntary" self-reporting device. Rather than wait the 3-day quarantine period, I would send in an invoice proving acquisition. I am in favor of it, generally, because comments that the Red Book and Greysheet being outdated when published, are valid. True privacy (like piracy) is a thing of the past. Anything that furthers the accuracy of the hobby, in the words of Martha Stewart is a good thing.

If it is recognized by the DSM-5, as revised, then it is. Otherwise, you're called crazy. 🤣

In my defense, insanity is a legal term not recognized by the medical profession. I prefer the term eccentric. 🤣 Our hosts are very fortunate to have both you and vkb as members.

Obsessive, and unrealistic, particularly above MS-64 where the pickings in Originals are slim, or non-existent. My set in Orange County is graded 65.906. The current finest possible set rating is 67.219. I would like to acquire just one more coin to put me in 66.000 territory. I am the current and all-time finest. But all that can change in an eyeblink. If a D.L. Hansen-type were to express an interest in the series, I would become a dead man walking... a nobody without my roosters. The deadline for upgrades was in June. By morning, I should get my 4th gold bar. [There is a special bar for the 5-year mark and another for those who maintain their standing 10 years straight.]

It's not just the French, with their FDC (Fleur De Coin) Ditto the English: UNC; Ditto the Germans: ST (stempelglanz); Ditto the Italians: FDC (Fior di Conio); and Ditto the Spanish: SC (Sin Circular)... ALL the USA equivalent of from MS-65 to MS-70.

["funny, how?... what's funny about me?... how am I funny?... like I'm a clown?... I am here to amuse you?... I make you laugh?... I'm funny, how?"] 🤣

I didn't catch this on first impression. This is pure genius! It's true. As regarding my predecessor, I shall allow Vladimir to speak for me: "He was a man with a difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life." 🤣

@World Colonial Are you sure you want to hear the never-ending lamentations of a Set Registrant? 🤣 Briefly, my aspirations to assemble the finest set of French gold roosters has been thwarted. Every conceivable source has been consulted, every existing stock depleted and every promising lead run down... pffft! Heard about the drought out west? Same thing. It's been this way for over two years. Any MS-67's? Nope, not yet! Everyone who ought to know about my Want List (quaintly called a Wish List abroad) has been notified, and reminded quarterly. I believe all outstanding stocks of bullion dealers have long since been cherry-picked. And as you have observed on a number of occasions, certification is a distinctly American phenomenon; the French, the Europeans generally, have made do with a range of grades representing the upper crust since caveman times without problem. A member has graciously offered to investigate the matter personally and I wish him the best of luck. I have run out of options. Now, if I were to win the lottery, I would resort to outright bribery. Best is not good enough for me. I am a Virgo. Only Best possible set is acceptable. And when I get one more coin to move me closer to that goal I can finally get a good night's sleep.

Troo dat!

Yes, and No. Following are three formats (there are more) used by different dealers affiliated with MA-SHOPS, which illustrate the dilemma: [Note: 1 is certified; 2 and 3 are uncertified...] 1- France 20 Francs 1910 Paris Coin, Marianne, Paris, NGC, MS67, Gold MS (65-70); 2. France 20 Francs 1910 Paris Coin, Marianne, Paris, Gold KM: 857 MS (65-70); 3. FRANCE 20 francs or Coq, Liberte Egalite Fraternite 1910 III REPUBLIC Paris 1910 (21mm, 6.45g, 6h) MS (65-70). All describe the same identical coin, a 1910 French 20-franc gold rooster, using various descriptors, some with a measure of redundancy. No one expects an MS-69 or MS-70 to be found in the gold Rooster series, but it falls within the FDC range. Buying RAW is a taking a gamble, and in some instances, an MS-67 can run twice the cost of an MS-66. If I were an ordinary coin collector, I would purchase uncertified coins [AND I COULD HAVE COMPLETED A SET FAIRLY QUICKLY]. But my tastes evolved to the point where buying coins which can turn out to be one of several different Mint State grades is not going to help me put together a Set Registry. Have I gotten burnt taking a chance and buying an FDC coin I had hoped would "make the grade"? Yes. It comes with the territory and may explain why only a handful of collectors have attempted to compile a Best Set in this series since the inception of TPG.

...the good ones are fine, but the mint states are the best and, hence, worth more. Some would walk a mile for a camel, but kill for a kent... not sure where moose fit into this. 🤣

None of the S.S. Central America's coins, bars, ingots, etc. were cleaned. They were all "conserved" during a long, laborious process. Semantics.

WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF? SPEAK UP! BE SPECIFIC. PROVIDE DETAILS! ENQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW! 🤣

Back on Track! 🤣 When the coin I seek becomes available, what usually happens is it is advertised in three or more sites. It's big news. I think I have my tentacles out to 19 different sources (one of whom is so exclusive that money is a secondary consideration. You have to be referred, or otherwise vetted, for the privilege of placing an order with him tantamount to a background check minus the mug shot and prints.) Numiscorner is a reputable place I have done business with before. The reference to MS-70 is not so much realistic as it is fanciful. There isn't a parlor anywhere in Europe who isn't aware my sole interest lies in certified MS-67's. No plus grades. Nothing finer. The west coast registry set, I decided, will hew to a -64's / -67's line, Originals / Restrikes. And if I am not dethroned within the next 48 hours, I am In Like Flint, will retain my rank, and inherit an award. Now, if anyone is curious, they won't look for the 37" beard (shorn off on the Fourth of July) but look for the pin in my lapel. Man I love this place!