Henri Charriere

My sole source of information for this topic, which I did not expect to generate as much interest as it already has, was "Understanding and Recognizing a Star," which was posted by NGC on 5/1/2002 with the advisory, stay tuned for updates. Members have reported seeing circulated and World coins bearing the star ( * ) designation. The list published was set forth in 13 bullet points. Here's my take: (No Cents are eligible: Lincoln Heads, Indians, Large, Half Cents, etc.) (No pre-Jefferson Nickels: Buffalo Heads, Liberty Heads, Shields, etc.) (No pre-Roosevelt dimes: Mercury Heads, Barbers, etc.) (No pre-Washington quarters: Liberty Standing, Barbers, etc.) (No pre-Franklin Halves.) Proof Franklins are eligible in addition to MS examples. The one displayed in this post is a splendid example. Only Morgan, Peace, Eisenhower and Sacagaweas: (no SBA's) Only U.S. proof coins from 1936 to 1978 are eligible! Only Silver Commemoratives from 1892 to 1954 are eligible. No gold coins, U.S. or World, are eligible. *** Obviously, if exceptions have since been made, series expanded and new categories added, NGC may wish to consider revising this indispensable resource.

You're in luck! I have taken some time out from my busy schedule to personally investigate this for you. 🤣 I checked the columns in my area of interest and found that in the MS certifications, e.g., MS-65, that grade cross-referenced with the year indicates the total number of certifications. The plus ➕️ sign directly under the grade indicates the number of plusses granted that year. In effect, it appears to be a space-saving measure. Where you would have two or more columns, you just have one. To my knowledge, there as here, World coins are not eligible for star rating consideration.

If memory serves, another TPGS "requires" gold coin slabs bear a "gold shield" for which it charges an additional $5.00 fee. [This hobby can use a little buzz. I believe the ampersand ( & ) and octothorpe ( # ) are spoken for. What I would love to see is some in-your-face audacity like the introduction of exponents, and the ultimate -- which, technically, is possible --- a coin graded MS-70*.] 🤣

To the OP: This is as fine an explanation as you are likely to get expressing intelligibly what I was attempting to articulate.

Welcome to the Forum! There are many different reasons why collectors submit their coins for certification -- value of coin vs. cost of certification being only one of them. This is a personal decision that is strictly yours to make.

Here is a genuine (legitimate) counterfeit 1787 Fugio (antiqued silver) which I no longer own.

Like my predecessor, I too am a sucker for tasteful, peripheral, iridescent toning.

You kiddin' me? Take another look at that upcoming itinerary of yours. You're busier now in the thick of retirement than when you were working. All hobby related.

Don't know what to make of this. Hard to believe a wheelbarrow and skateboard were used to steal that Giant Gold Maple Leaf from a German museum years ago. On loan from a private collector, ouch!, it weighed 221 lbs., was 99% pure gold then worth some €3.3M or $4.3M USD. UPSHOT: Four adolescents were caught after years of investigation. Two were sentenced as juveniles, one got 3-1/3 yrs. The fourth and last defendant was acquitted. Nothing but incriminating traces of gold were recovered. Based on the calculations provided by @DSessom above, I do not believe a realistic platinum $1T coin "minted" in any semblance of realism in proportion to its gargantuan size could be produced and would serve no purpose if it could--unless skateboards and wheelbarrows are on the leading edge of technology. 🤣

Just a joke here... Inexplicably, my suggestion my title "Grand Wizard" was found to be objectionable. On the other hand, I was assured my "0 - Rank Amateur," status is secure. 🤣

Same reason The New York Times dispensed with periods in acronyms.

No, what many members may have mistaken for my time-outs or unexplained absences were in actuality expulsions and deportations. Is naming a justice of the Supreme Court any more political than the recent comment made parenthetically, ("and my county voted 83% for the Orange Guy.)? I make it a point to review the Chat Board Guidelines regularly. Back on Track. 🤣

As to the former excerpted comment... while it is true many Set Registries are comprised of a single coin, that merely constitutes a starting point. One coin, standing alone, in the ordinary sense of the word, simply denotes a starting point. In the case of the '33 Double Eagle, I don't care if there's a "hole" for it or not or the logistics involved in acquiring one, absent it, no other set is "complete." As to the latter excerpt, truer words have never been spoken.

There are some Franklins, I cannot recall whether w/ or w/o FBL, which have barely legible bell text. I am curious to know exactly what it would say if one could read it.

To @J P M and @Jason Abshier... NGC's comprehensive examination of this topic may be found in: "Understanding and Recognizing a Star," as posted on 5/1/]2022. (I am not sure how you may locate it as I am Link-illiterate and resorted to finding it on Google.) One statement buried in the post reads, "... if there is a single objection to a particular coin receiving a star designation upon quality control inspection, it loses the star." (Emphases mine.) A complete list of the series (denominations) of coins is listed, but bear in mind the post is 20 years old. (If someone can provide a link, it would be greatly appreciated. If you're not exactly sure what's involved in the "star-making" process, this will surely "broaden your body of knowledge" as a late, great, seasoned veteran would say.)

Okay, but after the * comes ❤️ , which is so extra special it cannot be expressed in mere words. .

Not so fast. Insanity is a legal term and not a medical condition. Not everyone is cut out for that kind of intensive work. I don't believe I am.

I was gratified to learn the 64+ passed muster with you. While not star quality, I believe you recognized the same special attributes it displayed as I did.

Additional thoughts, particularly in the conspicuous absence of replies. My instinctual feeling, as regarding rare coins as opposed to Louis Vuitton handbag knock-offs, is the greater scrutiny accorded them. I believe the average coin collector's thought regarding this is, if it were authentic it would be submitted for certification prior to sale, likely at an auction, and the chances it would remain undetected are nil at best.

According to this website, "fewer than 1% of the coins graded by NGC get a star [ * ] rating." While world coins are routinely graded by NGC -- many submitted to their foreign offices -- no such coins are presently eligible for star rating consideration. Not all U.S. coin series qualify for such consideration, but the ones that do must be in Mint State or Proof condition. Your thoughts?

Back on Track. 🤣 Having never stepped foot inside a coin show or coin convention, I appreciate the time, trouble and phenomenal memory you've relied on to bring a world I am wholly unacquainted with to my fingertips--bookended with your fine signature "Penny".

Maybe we should find out what Metals Focus paid the World Silver Survey for their presumably impartial research. You know what they say, You get what you pay for...

Precious metals prices are rising at an inopportune time for numismatists whose interest in coin collecting began largely in their youth. QDB, inadvertently perhaps, provided a draw to a hobby that can use one. The shame of the hobby is loss of brick-and-mortar coin shops, generic, uninteresting coins minted for circulation and a general decline in literacy. These, as well as the loss of prominent writers and "cheerleaders" does not bode well for a hobby many regard as being in general decline.

$1 quadrillion? I am not big on pageantry and a coronation costing $125 miilion is a bit much... maybe he can do us all a favor and foot the bill for King Charles' planned festivities. It would be a good move as it is generally acknowledged the Royal Family is the world' largest welfare recipients. 🤣

Some prominent members' names are not listed; z's name, consisting of only five letters, is misspelled, and my only [officially unacknowledged] claim to fame is enduring the greatest number of seemingly irreversible expulsions and extraditions to and from Siberia, with and without warning notices. In fact, simply investigating the matter as set forth by the OP earned me 3 warning points. As Q. A. used to say, "Man I Iove this place!." 🤔