Henri Charriere

All this talk of atmospheric rivers over Caifornia has sparked a new interest in flooding and earth which has lain undisturbed since the last gold rush dislodged in rivers of mud. Nothing truly memorable has been discovered yet but it reminds me of how little people who know nothing about gold extraction intend to recover it. As an analogy, at some point the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in upper Manhattan decided a few years back to finish the still uncompleted structure, said to be the largest [cathedral] in the world. And what they quickly discovered is stone-cutting was a lost art. They had to import talent to teach the young how to cut stone and lay it. Me? If I had the time and inclination I would grab a pan--and go. I believe your average person would have no idea what to do and how to do it. Would you? They've always said only a comparatively small amount was ever recovered.

... valid question. bibles all seem to be clothed in black, and continue to be the best-selling books of all time, but what's the draw? the older gutenberg's command higher prices, but are too fragile to read. the most expensive book sold by the strand was a copy of the complete works of wm. shakespeare which went for $2-1/2M smackeroos. i like the woodcut used on "mine to mint," but would have preferred an antique full-bodied, "2" to go with the cover motif.

Fine choice!

Absolutely shameful!

If you're not looking for dueling memos from this frequent flier you're literally missing out on the classic essence of the man: the gentleman who, in response to a little good-natured ribbing from me, stated candidly: "I would rather be right than nice." Not even Q.A. could hold a candle to this seasoned member, try as he might.

Welcome to the Forum! My feeling is while having spent your formative years in the post-silver era, once you've been exposed to certification and encapsulation, there's no turning back. You've got a wealth of knowledge right here at your fingertips. Nothing wrong with nostalgia, but in a package deal on an incomplete collection, you will taken to the cleaners. I'd sooner spring for the ultimate atrocity: electroplated gold state quarters. By the way, how many dealers do you suppose would buy 40 Morgans compiled in two albums if you insisted each be appraised on the strength of their respective merits? NO collection is complete. That's a tentative designation that can change in the blink of an eye. Most "collections" are works in progress. Some inevitably turn out to be life-long efforts. The real money to be made is at the very top. Second best just doesn't cut it but most often that's not by choice. Happy collecting!

As a matter of fact, yes, jewelers. Given a choice, would you prefer a 24K ring (100% gold) an 18K (75% gold) or a 14K (58.3$ gold) ring? Larger diamonds make a statement as to the fervor one has for his wife but insisting on purchasing a 24K ring, particularly after one has been advised against it, is impractical. If an 18K ring is worn occasionally, it'll do. The 14K ring, anecdotally, is the preferred composition for everyday wear.

I am disinclined to comment as some very learned members have weighed in. This may not matter to the rest of the membership but I would be interested to know if this "damage" was inflicted at the Mint after being released down the sluice chute some 14 years ago and, if not, whether we are talking about PMD that occurred in the interval before formal certification. I believe all would agree that no one employed by the mint would be expected to spot a flaw-in-motion and even if they did, it would be a minor matter precluding extraction from the assembly line. These one-ounce silver bullion pieces were not produced for circulation. If a piece survives birth intact and to exacting specifications, the job is done. As far as Mint officials are concerned, their primary mission was accomplished; grading and collecting are secondary hobbies.

Let's see now. How would a government employee respond to a simple query: *No copper cents were authorized for mintage in 1943. *[Need to know.] *(no response; or a delayed response: a letter I wrote the U.S.D.O.J. was answered and received exactly one year from the date it was mailed. It consisted of a single page of 18 boxes on an unsigned form letter, one of which was checked: the information sought is unavailable.) *a background check followed by the appropriate security level clearance, is required. *the information sought would constitute a violation of the NDA you signed. *the information you seek is not public information. *the [agency] will neither confirm nor deny... *My personal favorite: thecomplaint/allegation will be reviewed when it is received. Take your pick. 🤣

It is not that they do not. They can but if they do, it is at a cost: loss of SSI, disability, Medicaid and SNAP, subsidized housing, each agency of which has its own income, assets, and resource requirements.

How high will silver go? I guess it all depends on how many of these quadrupa-eagles are sold. Nice coin. Maybe this is what I should be carrying around in my pocket.

I have a feeling with the advent of casino chips, the defaced silver dollars were sold off for scrap and meltings.

[Early morning antics with no historical basis in fact]: Early mint records indicate an Earl Errorist was employed there. May have occurred during his tenure. 🤣

Not sure if this may be a factor to consider, but India, and not China, is now the world's most populous nation.

I don't have access to any data, but my own lying eyes and deceptive auditory receptors lead me to believe denying an unmistakable trend would be akin to insisting horses and dirigibles are set to make a comeback. There are restaurants in New York (other than the thousands lost to the pandemic) that do not accept cash. You read that right! Then there are the places, 99.44% unlicensed and therefore illegal, which accept cash only: The so-called marijuana dispensaries. They get robbed regularly but how does one report a crime involving a drug that is illegal to possess and sell on the Federal level and unlawful to p&s without a license on the local level? A number of laundromats which should have been retooled to accept dollar coins have changed to cards you have to pay $3.00 for, and then add money too, instead. Moving right along, the term "food stamps" is a misnomer. They're merely a balance on a plastic electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card (along with Medicaid). If I am not mistaken, paper Social Security and Federal and State tax refund checks are thisclose to becoming extinct. Ebay offers a number of payment options. None by check or cash. [The only on-line concern to my knowledge that permits payment with cash is PCGS.] To pay a utility bill, cable bill, cellphone bill--even rent, there is no opt-out option for automatic deduction from a bank account. [For the privilege of paying my rent, I can choose automatic deduction -- and pay a mandatory $2.95 surcharge -- or continue to mail in my personal check with a Forever stamp. Collection of vehicular traffic tolls in New York is accomplished with license-plate readers and EZ-passes. Currency and coinage, including the once ubiquitous tokens, are no longer accepted on New York City subways and buses. [If you board a Metro-North or LIRR train without a ticket, you will be charged the standard fare + a ridiculous penalty fee. I believe cashless customers are summonsed.] Are half-dollars and one dollar coins even being minted for circulation anymore, or are they buried deep within bank vaults alongside the two-dollar bills? I would characterize the AIER report not so much as rubbish, but a prognosis and portent of things to come. Look at the bright side: maybe, just maybe you can complete your LHC Set Registry in your lifetime. 🤣 Moderators: much obliged!

It was a $1000. 1934 series note I bought for $1,057, I believe, pre-EPQ era and I can assure you the novelty of owning it wore off quickly. True, they were once guaranteed financial sinkholes (from currency debasement) as you've indicated, but I guess the times they are a-changin'.

I did buy one for a nominal $50 once, but they were never really in demand. Then, Numismatic Coin came into a bunch of them quite recently as well as "straps" of $1 silver certificates (some consecutively numbered) and if the lofty prices requested are any indication, interest in owning one of these novelties has soared. It is my understanding, though still legal tender, when they are spent they are returned to the Federal Reserve Bank where they are checked off and discharged from service. I am sure the FRB has an "idea" as to how many are still out there.

Yes, amongst the Federal Reserve Districts.

Fair enough, off-topic, but can you -- or anyone else, remember the name of the Secretary of the Treasury whose portrait graced the $10,000 bill, the highest denomination currency to ever circulate publicly in the U.S?

With the Sword of Damocles dangling over my head by a hair, this may be a reckless, risky observation to make, but the cleaner involved only enhanced the intricate, well-defined details of your coin and did not do anything to detract from its innate attractiveness. A true professional! You wouldn't happen to have his name and number? 🤣

In its latest opinion piece, the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) in an on-line item entitled, "Small Change: Let's Put Pennies (sic) and Nickels to Rest," the organization argues that with cents costing up to two cents to make and nickels costing nearly eight cents, depending on metal market conditions, it's time to dispense with them entirely. What are your thoughts on this?

I do not relish the opportunity to dim anyone's high hopes, but I believe you have done a masterful job in explaining the intracacies involved in evaluating such oddities. I do not know how long this genetic mutation has resided undetected in your inventory but would advise tweaking your schedule. That's one way, for example, of discovering the 1995-W Proof ASE you paid $30,000 for initially, now commands a price of only $3,000, if that. Irrespective of the grade assigned a coin remnant, I personally would not submit it without consulting a number of knowledgeable sources on the subject first.

ACCEPTING EVERY ASSUMPTION YOU'VE MADE IS GOSPEL TRUTH, WHAT ENQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW IS IF IT WERE YOURS OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, WOULD YOU BE INCLINED TO HAVE IT SUBMITTED FOR FORMAL AUTHENTICATION, GRADING, CERTIFICATION AND ENCAPSULATION?

Would you be kind enough to translate that grade ambiguity into Sheldonese or does cleaning pre-empt assignment of a formal grade? This is as fine an example of MS-60 that can be found.

Always a pleasure to hear from you, VKurtB! To be honest, I was unaware of the dichotomy of TPGS. I am a full-fledged dues-paying lurker here at NGC, now with a proviso custom-made for me: I am subject to expulsion at any time without notice, points, or warnings. The fact is while there are over five times as many collectors of my series here, those who choose to pursue them, quickly find out half the series is abroad and most of the emporiums are left coast affiliated. As a practical matter, relying solely on registrants of Set Registries, there are [IMHO] only two active collectors, one a dealer, me, and three active collectors either here or there, if that. Every coin I acquired was done so from the discomfort of a hardback chair, wife's cell in hand. It's me, my wife and vingt quatre frappes or keystrokes, in French. I don't know about any counties in particular but life expectancies in the U.S. have risen and the orthopedist I saw today said I'm in tip-top shape. Too bad, I don't care for A.I., Alexa, etc. Again, great hearing from you!