Henri Charriere

A Fleeting thought... some highly regarded members have disputed one popular member's assertion that the Double Eagle is a "classic" coin. I certainly would not suggest any French gold rooster could vye for that title but what is being produced today, a century later, could not by any stretch of the imagination offer serious competition. If the coin you were kind enough to display here does not meet the eligibility criteria meeting the definition of "classic coin," I do not know what does irrespective of scarcity, perceived value or the engraver's extracurricular activities some may find fault with.

Request for clarification... Straddling a grading tier is waffling. What enquiring minds want to know is, is there a suggestion here of evidence of "wear," or a "weak strike"? Surely enough of these antiquities have undergone enough scrutiny over the years to exclude one, or the other.

Regarding low magnification, I agree. How difficult could it possibly be to put down, for one moment, a toy magnifying glass and pick up a stronger loupe for closer inspection. A variety does not cease to exist because one is ill-equipped to detect it. As regarding, the latter comment, your observation, and writings generally, reflect a breathtaking breadth of numismatic knowledge and experience. To the OP: Nice catch! If you have not considered annotating your submission form to direct the graders' attentions to a feature that may be overlooked during cursory examinations, nothing in the instructions prohibits you from doing so.

Re weighing change... Korean green grocers, which were ubiquitous in NYC at one time, would weigh rolled coins used to make a purchase especially if you were a regular patron. This served a purpose: expediting a purchase with change they always needed without embarrassing a patron. NOTE: This courtesy did not extend itself to a $100. strap of one-dollar bills, whether they were brand-new and consecutively numbered, or not.

I have an explanation, but I can only speak for myself. I have always been partial to large heavy coins with minimal numismatic value that I carry around as one would a good-luck charm. When I went beyond my 3-piece suit/shirt/tie days, I carried it in my vest which resulted in negligible wear. In later years, I carried it my right trouser pocket with the reverse closest to my leg. The combination of heat, moisture and rubbing would result in the wear you've observed. [I switched from the left leg because my doctor told me the coin sandwiched between my wallet and left trouser leg was exacerbating the pain I experience[d] deep within my left thigh due to a 1984 hip fracture and two subsequent hip replacements. My advice is allow the erosion to continue and perhaps you, or your heirs, can put it up for auction on, say, GC for... how does 37 thou sound? 🤣

What makes you think there is something wrong with this? If there is something wrong, resubmit it for reconsideration or cross-grading.

I don't know what other states' local rules are, but in New York they state, among other things, "This ticket is a bearer instrument," and "A valid ticket is required to claim a prize."

More money, more problems. Some states do not allow anonymity. Mine, N.Y. does. One thing for sure: I will lose my Federally-subsidized senior housing. How would you feel knowing the multi-millionaire living next door pays only $257. in rent? A few years back, one winner showed up to claim his prize wearing a paper bag over his head with two holes cut out for his eyes. His only comment was, "No comment," before dashing out the doors. Luckily for him, he had a common name much like John Smith. 🤣

Looks like there was one jackpot winner in Florida, and a few "millionaires" elsewhere. There will always be a next time.

Let's see now... dozens of views, but not a single solitary comment? Why? And what's with the stenciled overlay... the one that faintly reads... R-A-D-I-O-A-C-T-I-V-E ! KEEP BACK 200 FEET! Welcome back to the Forum and the wonderful mystical world of Moderation!

No bids yet as of post-time. The owner, presumably male [as no member of the fairer sex would have anything to do with something so tawdry, hence the conspicuous absence of comments] should have known he'd have had a better shot at unloading this [Expletive deleted] which has undoubtedly had its creative engraver rotating in his grave, on the appropriate platform: Etsy.

OBLIGATORY EDIT: The facility depicted was razed in 1903 after over a thousand (1,000+) years in service. The Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) now occupies a part of its grounds. The deep, dark, chocolate-brown token posed an unusual challenge for the seller to photograph and to all appearances it appeared as a black ⚫️ in a 2" x 2" flip, but I was not deterred. With an assist from my wife holding a small lamp at an angle equipped with a soon-to-be illegal incandescent bulb, I persevered and triumphed. GREAT BRITAIN 1/2 Penny "Middlesex - Newgate" 1795. OBVERSE: Front view of NEWGATE prison. Lettering at Top: NEWGATE; on Bottom: 1795. REVERSE: Lettering: PAYABLE AT THE RESIDENCE OF MESSRS SYMONDS WINTERBOTHAM & HOLT. SPECIFICATIONS: COMPOSITION: Copper; COUNTRY: United Kingdom; ALIGNMENT: Medal DIAMETER: 27.5 mm / 28.6 mm; WEIGHT: 8.73 / 10.6 g. (I am unable to account for the discrepancies.) Additional info on this and similar tokens may be found at coinscatalog.net and related websites. I am indebted to the OP for his graciousness in permitting to post the obverse and reverse of the piece in the following two posts.

I see... well, once again their loss is NGC's gain. Reports of over-moderation only encourages a chilling effect. My regard for you, and the sage advice you've freely offered here to me and others, have only elevated your status as a seasoned veteran.

The following prison token, circa 1914-1915, is self-explanatory. (The philosophy behind their introduction, and withdrawal from use may be found years earlier in this thread, along with other smaller denominations. I should like to thank @Fenntucky Mike for re-igniting my interest in attempting to complete this set which I have been reliably told lacks one other piece: the 50-cent token.

AFTER-ACTION REPORT An outstanding thread, all things considered. Sometimes this Forum can use a little pizzazz. The alternative, as one learned member put it, is reverting to "Sleepy Hollow" (which predates my brief tenure) and who would want that? To the Forum's enduring credit it is the presence of the very members critiqued, by name, that has contributed to its greatness. My heartfelt thanks to the OP for choreographing this most memorable of debacles and, in so doing, bringing out the very best every member has to offer.

It is very lovely and while two are listed in the French Red Book (Monnais Francaises, 1789 - 2021) (latest edition) one, as a prototype, the other, as pre-series, I am off the hook. The Set Registries of the top two leading TPGS make no provision for a). accommodating coins minted outside the authorized range, 1899 to 1914, or b). patterns, proofs, piedfort essais, varieties or errors of any kind of which there are a few notable examples. Regarding the grade... It lies one tier below FDC (hence the reference to, "Presque (almost) Fleur de Coin" which embraces all Mint State grades between 65 and 70. The PCGS grade given, SP (actually SPL, or "Splendide," pronounced splen-DEED in French) includes only MS-63 and MS-64 coins. This is the first time I have seen one and thank @Zebo for the courtesy of posting it and bringing it to my attention. P.S. The sale price is very much in line with previous sales, according to marginal notes I made from 2019 to the present.

In order to pass "judgment" on another member's treasured possession, something I dislike doing intensely, it behooves the individual doing the "grading" to have a rudimentary working knowledge of the coin's high points. Speaking strictly as an unaccredited rank amateur, I will venture to say I am unable to detect wear of any kind which would place this coin squarely within the U.S. realm of Mint State. Any comment regarding the lack of definition to the stars on the obverse I can deftly fend off by citing my unfamiliarity with the series, Swiss coins generally -- and poor eyesight.

(Apparently wires got crossed. My solicitation for your opinion is solely in regard to the matter of the 1930-S Double Eagle PCGS graded AG-03 CAC, an item of interest introduced by the OP onto this thread about one page back.)

FWIW... To sum up... not a single eccentric has offered to bid on this coin -- whose life on the auction block was discreetly extended another week -- and it remains at $60,000. While the coin presumably has melt value (adjusted for wear, if that is applicable) I would like to go on record as saying I would reject outright, however well-intentioned, an offer from anyone to acquire it for one red cent. It is a comfort to me to know that a preponderance of members, so far, have indicated their mental faculties are intact by simply doing nothing. I thank @GoldFinger1969 for bringing this striking example of a reality check to the attention of the membership.

Your question prompted me to do a little digging... FWIW: If your 1982 cent is majority-copper, it will weigh 3.11 grams. If it is majority-zinc, it will weigh 2.5 grams. In 2006, the USG imposed a penalty, a fine of up to $10,000 for melting cents or nickels, or up to 5 years in prison. If the cent is discontinued, it is likely to become legal to melt. To my knowledge there are no figures given for the weight and cost of that copper mascara on the newer cents. Finally, I know there are 200 or so LHC minus the S minted in 1990, but you couldn't pay me to own one. Far as I am concerned, there are no cents that make any sense to me post-1959.

I agree with you on Hoghead. He has a lot of humble qualities that endear him to the membership. For years, I have been saying one member (you mentioned) has "unconditional immunity" to speak out as he wishes. The truth is he brings something to the table so he's an asset to the community with a storied past that most assuredly would pass a cursory background check. Me? I am only as good as my last post and both me and the moderators know it. I have neither substance nor status or stature. I am simply tolerated and retained strictly for entertainment purposes. Now, you Mike shouldn't puff your chest out just yet. By incredibly fortuitous timing, you caught the Board moderators off guard. The thing that vexes me is how come you have not spoken up sooner? I can only hope none of the combatants you've referred to by name take things personally. Here on out, I would advise C-A-U-T-I-O-N. Man I love this place! Without it, I am nothing.

My thoughts... somebody somewhere needs that DE badly for his low-ball set, but that aside, the bean, contrary to what z may crow, has shown itself in no way more concretely than it possibly can, to be a superfluous accessory. Gold is valuable but you couldn't pay ME one cent to own this. I'm dying to hear what @World Colonial has to say about this.

Mike, you have maligned some of the more prominent "seasoned veterans" who frequent this Forum. I do not believe any will dignify your remarks with a reply, so I will try to answer with a thought of my own. No hobby, much less profession, will volunteer information on the strength of the pixelated photography presented. In every pursuit in life whether it be coin collecting, forgeries, counterfeits, fires, autopsies, psychiatric examinations and even habeas corpus writs, ordering detaining authorities to produce the body (of the defendant) physically in court, The "examiner," or cross-examiner, cannot render an opinion, decision or report, etc., absent an opportunity to examine the evidence personally, up close -- and in hand. We do the best we can with what is made avaiailable to us. Some of the responses you get may be direct and conclusive, but noted numismatists proceed with caution and would not wish to be quoted for attribution in the absence of substantive proof. This is why you may get guarded, non-commital replies and referrals. The thrust of the hobby today is to encourage education and an exchange of information in the hope of minimizing risk. I should like to note for the record that beyond the OP's abrasive and direct manner of speaking, after an inordinate amount of time researching the issue, I can safely conclude that the words effervesced -- or for that matter, effervesce and the more colorful effervescent, are the very first times these terms have appeared on any Forum here since its inception. Man I love this place! 🤣

This is, hands down, the most incredible disclosure I have heard coming from anyone on any Forum, so much so that it's taken me all these weeks to process it. The analogy may be off but, while neither a buyer or seller of coins -- or even an auction house, the closest equivalent would be saying you never heard of Heritage or Great Collections, et al. It seems like every time I am permitted to Sign In here, there is a MA-SHOPS ad either immediately preceding or following a topic. I prefer to regard MA-SHOPS as one would a trusted intermediary or coordinator. A kind of one stop shop for everything numismatic, worldwide. And by the way, amongst the consortium of businesses affiliated with MA-SHOPS are many concerns that routinely sell Double Eagles, raw and encapsulated. I am terribly sorry the OP had a negative encounter involving a MA-SHOPS dealer but he should take comfort in the fact that any such allegations affecting an entire association's business enterprise shall be dealt with dispatch.

Now that I have received an email from a titled gentleman affiliated with MA-SHOPS, promising enthusiastically (but totally unrealistically, to Goldfinger's amusement) that he will scour all Gold Rooster haunts to the ends of the Earth for the mythical Holy Grail, an MS-70 -- (I specifically requested an MS-67) -- which ups the ante for me, I should like to add that, tho I be officially retired, this is one "Rising Star" who secretly vowed he shall not be dethroned from his # 1 ranking elsewhere. All that time, effort and expense building a set registry even the normally sedate zadok departing from tradition, carved out a special discreet accolade for me? Perish the thought! 🤣