Henri Charriere

[If I may, I should like to direct all members to add any comments to the Topic and thread, "NGC staff -- stay dry and safe," begun by Zebo some five hours before I posted mine.] To Moderation: This parallel post may be taken down.

No, the Moderators did NOT excise my comment. Here it is in its full unexpurgated glory. Nothing negative at all.

For the record... The OP introduced his latest acquisition, and stated: "What are your thoughts? I appreciate all feedback." So far, so good. A number of members weighed in with no negative feedback whatsoever. The coin was certified so it really wouldn't matter what anyone thought. I do not know why the OP solicited comments, but okay, the members had their say. The latest reply by z, directly preceding this one, mirrors my own assessment perfectly. It is a stunning piece which much be seen to be appreciated. My only misstep was in stating, "if institutional memory serves, I do believe..." and apparently I was wrong. I had read a thread years ago, simply entitled, in substance, what preparations have you made for your heirs... Apparently, I misattributed the reply I had read as belonging to the OP. RWB had written, in effect, remember what I've written when it comes time to sell. I said, if memory serves, he's not selling so the admonition is inapplicable. (Other complimentary commentary I had made was excised by Moderation as superfluous.) I do not know how or why my commentary was cast in such a negative way, but if the OP interpreted it that way, I sincerely apologize, as that was not my intent. On balance, the OP asked for feedback and got it. I, personally, would not have construed any as being negative. Some coins are beyond description in mere words. Yours is one of them. Edit: The topic I referred to hereinabove, was titled: "How are you preparing your collection for your heirs?", by Woods020, dated January 13, 2022. I re-read all 44 replies and can confirm the OP's name does not appear in any of them. Honest mistake. Again, my sincere apologies.

White noise not germane to the thrust of the conversation. Gratuitous. Superfluous. Got it.

[See what you started! 🤣 To me all these hits, runs and errors take a back-seat to the '55 LHC.]

To our hosts... I do hope you manage to weather the storm and storm surge, unscathed. My thoughts are with you.

Au contraire... in the Restrike series, dozens have been certified MS-67 and while no Originals have been so certified, two dozen Restrikes have been NGC-cerified as MS-67+ much of this activity having occurred in just the past two years.

As I have indicated elsewhere, the French, the English, Germans, Italians, Spanish -- and the USA, all use their own grading systems. I believe Numiscorner's intention in stating MS-70 was the same as saying, "We know, we know... FDC... MS-67. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. I do not believe any TPGS recognizes FDC, per se. My personal feeling is graders have already checked and cherry-picked their stocks. I will await the results of a member's offer to try his hand at locating one. Either a 1910, 1913 or 1914 MS-67 (and not one masquerading as one.)

[I am painfully aware Board Guidelines prohibit me from doing so, but I can no longer contain myself. I don't know whether the descriptor, "Newbie," was bestowed upon you by mgmt. or adopted passively, but should like to suggest this column or thread, standing alone, disqualifies you from proceeding with that low-ball moniker and, if I may, I should like to direct the membership's attention to the latest Leaderboard rankings, featuring a come-from-behind, remarkable, muscle-car ascension that defies description. All in favor of elevating this member's position more suitable to his standing here, say aye!] To Moderation: I am prepared to take my punishment.

I believe the real reason why this is so, and you have been harping on this for a long time, is financialization (which I prefer to call the weaponization of grades as promoted by investor interests) and wielded by those of that persuasion, only because they can. [Reminds me of the bully who replied to my best offer with, "how badly do you want it?"]. But there is something else to be considered here and that is some things go beyond the pale and are, at base, inarticulable.

When I was working in the Strand "18 miles of books" Book Store, in NYC, an old gentleman came in, approached the Information Desk, and asked for a prescription refill, vial in hand. Of greater interest to me is whether the U.S. Fish Commission was able to fulfill his request. That's what I like about the Forum. You never know who is going to walk in with something interesting to share with a captive audience.

Going back to the 1964-1965 World's Fair in New York, it was my understanding that the items buring in the time capsule there were to give to be "representative" of life as lived then. A daily newspaper, a music album (perhaps The Beatles) and similar artifacts illustrating what life was like at the time. A great many such time capsules take the same approach, using ordinary, everyday objects that would give someone in the future a look back at life as it was lived at that time. Many very interesting things have been found in such "vaults" and "cornerstones," but nothing to my knowledge having great value. If coins and currency were included, they would likely be circulated. No rare Proof coins or Exceptional Paper Quality banknotes.

I don't know if an explanation would be possible as they entail setting forth reasons which require time, and time is money. The sheer volume of submissions received and processed may make that impractical. It may very well come down to providing the requested information for an additional fee, or incorporating the feature when submission fees are raised, which seems inevitable.

While not at the level requiring classification or advisories, e.g., EYES ONLY! or PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL, I feel this matter could have been more appropriately handled via PM. 🤣

I guess I am not reading this right, but... If the Proofs are worth MUCH LESS than the Mint States, and it is difficult to tell them apart in the absence of objective criteria, why would you recommend buying this date as a Proof?

On reflection, I am inclined to agree. No method can supersede personal, in-your-own-hand, inspection. I can recall instances where photos were not available. It is by dint of sheer luck that reliance upon description-alone, sight-unseen, did not backfire catastrophically, especially on an international order where you are dependent on total strangers you will never meet or ever speak to. I did my due diligence to the extent I was able to, but I do not believe I would be comfortable doing so again. A clearly discernable thumbprint on an MS-66 coin I bought early on and still have, described as a "frosty gem" or possessing "frosty luster," or some such, was nothing of the kind. (A former member advised resubmitting it for conservation which he maintained should have been done at the outset; I did not pursue that avenue out of sheer laziness rationalizing it was still an MS-66, regardless.) I have gotten quite an education these past 4-1/2 years or so.

Ah, yes indeed... I inherited my stock as pedigreed from the world-renowned Quintus Arrius Collection. 🤣

...all the way to the bank. 🤣

...I d k... judging by the clipped replies of some (and the unintelligible rants of others) participation is not what it ought to be... then again, maybe if I stayed off of it, more often... 🤣

To the OP: It appears I have been shouted down before I'd even had a chance to weigh in. 🤣 By the time I had recovered from RWB's initial flash-bang post, Sandon leveled the playing field leaving me and guest viewers with delectable morsels to chew on. This is one of those momentous occasions when evaluating a coin straddling the "Degree of Greatness Divide," can either be a travesty or a tragedy. The following is MY opinion which you are free to quote for attribution. This coin never entered "circulation," as that term is commonly used by hobbyists. Any issues which may have arisen in its remarkably long shelf life can be attributed in pertinent part to less than ideal, otherwise unremarkable inter-steward transfers of ownership and, most regrettably, less than ideal storage conditions. [In your opening, you initially referred to your coin as "she" and later, as "it." You got it right the first time. She is absolutely stunning and your finest acquisition to date.

Great thread with plenty of traction! But am I to believe the interest in this history by our membership is so scant? Petroski, an engineer, wrote an entire book on the history of the pencil. The development of a fountain pen -- "invented" and patented here just prior to the date of the Mint Director's letter -- took place over a span of time on two continents and solved the problem posed by continual, repetitive inkwell- dipping with the introduction of instruments containing compact reservoirs and the use of interchangeable nibs. I recall the production of the Gutenberg Bible in the 1400's but had forgotten about the earliest bookbinding techniques. Man has come a long way from scrolls, papyri and cuneiform on clay tablets. I have always prided myself in being able to distinguish the subtle differences in taste amongst carbonated soda drinks in a blind taste-test, but wonder if anyone would be able to distinguish the minute differences in weight in a blind weight-test of silver U.S., "Mexican," and Trade dollars. Very informative piece!

Welcome! Speaking strictly as an impartial observer with no axe to grind and no agenda to pursue, I feel that something here is missing. You were indeed quite fortunate, by fortuitous timing, to elicit two excellent responses from two knowledgeable members, but I cannot help but feel there is more to your unusual query that merits engaging one's hazard lights and proceeding with extreme caution. Look at this from our perspective... I would have a few rhetorical questions of my own that come to mind, three, in fact: Why this particular coin? Why this specific date? And why this precise high grade? The specificity of your request likely rules out the lion's share of all possible sources. By all means, consult the resources referred to above, but this is a matter that may very well require the services of experienced expeditors affiliated with well-known, reputable companies who would know who to consult in their vast network of vetted contacts with proven track records. While it is ordinarily possible to acquire coins for sale directly, my feeling is there is a threshold beyond which auction houses cannot be ruled out. I wish you the best of luck!

This coin, right here, would've been the PERFECT contestant for a Guess the Grade round. It could've been a contender! Entitled to a topic all by its lonesome! But you had to spoil e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g and post it here, with all the particulars. Lost opportunity. Ah well...

@rons : Quite frankly, I ceded my position as a coin collecting enthusiast to the looming investor crowd a long, long time ago.

First time I have heard that expression used... coin tax-friendly. I know New York has a comparatively prohibitive sales tax, but coin-tax, per se?