Henri Charriere

I am very happy for you! I received the wrong coin once, from overseas, and I did not hesitate to let the seller know because (though I needed it) it was 3x rarer than the coin I had ordered and its price reflected it. In so many words, they insisted I keep it, and besides thanking them, I reminded them to make a note of it if only to more accurately reflect their inventory.

INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS... VKurtB: "I warn you that I am 100% NGC-focused. I really don't give a rip what they do in Southern California (ATS)." 🐓: Too bad the late great member Oldhoopster wasn't around long enough to be provided a possible clew as to Q.A.'s oft-repeated, off-hand quip made in support of his assertion that the OP enjoyed unconditional immunity on this Forum. H.C.: The gentleman was a notably erudite contender with an admirable library to match. He never dignified a baseless post without challenging it, and stated unequivocally he had never ignored anyone and, in addressing Q.A directly, stated: "And I am not about to start now." He kept his word. Bowing out gracefully was more his dignified style. Records indicate he rode the circuit, at will, for twenty years. He will be sorely missed. P.S. I still maintain, incorrectly perhaps, that it is physically impossible to hold two standard-sized basketballs outstretched at arms' length parallel to the ground, with two hands. [Note to Moderation: You may remove this post as is your prerogative.]

This is a long shot but it appears your coin bears some resemblance to that of the Japan 1 mon (1688-1700) produced by the Edo Mint [a sample of which is currently being offered for sale in VF condition by Marylandmetalcoins on eBay for $13. + shipping.]

Alright then, at the very least a MS-70... and at the very MOST??? I see two minor problems here. A conscientious Mint employee was monitoring the ever cascading waterfall of nickels in Denver, spotted an oddity that caught his eye quick enough to catch it before it collided with the others--and quietly palmed it. To my friend, the OP: the likelihood that any coin minted for circulation at high speed would be ejected and land in a pile of metal unscathed is, how shall I put this, at the very least, nil. Besides, in keeping with long-standing tradition, any such claim regarding suspected MS-70 coins struck for mass circulation must be reviewed by the venerable VKurtB first.

C$20m is roughly USD$14.8m, 615 t lbs., exclusive of undisclosed "valuables." If they lack license plate readers, surveillance camera footage, or a lucky break, a canary will sing if the price is right. Heists of this magnitude are largely a thing of the past.

I, er, uh... misspoke. Are such numismatic monstrosities eligible for submission? I guess the ultimate value will hinge on demand and that may very well depend on an auction.

Att: JB: This may come as a surprise to you, but as the member alluded to in the preceding post, I found nothing objectionable about this post by @BKW1 . It is a legitimate product and its maker even went so far as to pretty it up with denticles. If it were not legitimate, it would not have been accepted for formal certification..

While I certainly do not appreciate the characterization of my humble abode referred to as a "crack house," -- I will call the Building's Department to determine if it is a sign of structural damage or bricks in need of pointing -- there are two things I would like to point out. The employees of all ground and air transportation services, I believe, discharge their duties, as expected. Unfortunately, in big cities like mine, informal accommodations acceptable to both sides are worked out and occasionally the road to perdition, paved with good intentions, runs into roadblocks. Something I ordered from a part of Florida bedeviled by the last hurricane wound up at my "mailbox" labeled on their website as "delivered." The regular post guy and the Building's regular concierge shrugged their shoulders. [With a Moderator monitoring my post, I'll cut to the chase.] Nobody in authority could do anything so I took it upon myself to solve the mystery, and I did! I started with the mailboxes and observed two large drop-down panels opened them exposing their contents. My box was on the top row, immediately surrounded by two on each side, one beneath mine, and two on either side of it. One day, months later, the concierge handed me a package. It seems it had been lodged directly in the box beneath mine "occupied" by an old woman who had been dead for years. I consider myself lucky. In fact, I returned the item (no longer needed) and having been a thorn in their side, requested they keep the nominal sum for postage, shipping and handling.

If what you say is true--and I have no reason to doubt you, I owe you a public apology for denouncing you as a refiner of coins and melter of various metals and not a hobbyist or collector if not an accomplished certified numismatist. I am prohibited by Law (and possibly the Board Gudelines) as referring to you as the Great Zadok but you honored me by paying me the ultimate compliment regarding my Set Registry and my setiments remain the same. I don't expect to see your compilation, still in progress, displayed on this or any other site in keeping with your privacy policy but am gratified to know your lifelong attempt to complete a collection was a herculean task assumed by no one better qualified and equipped to do so. All the best!

To the Hon. V. Kurt B: When an opportune moment presents itself, may I prevail upon you to kindly let it be known to your friends, associates and casual acquaintances that there is a gentleman in New York who is prepared to make them a generous offer for a PCGS-certified MS-67 1910 - 1913 or 1914 French 20-franc gold Rooster a/k/a or Coq Marianne. [Universal references: KM: 857 GADOURY: 1064a. F-535.] I would be very much obliged. Sincerely, HENRI CHARRIERE

I though the various TPGS were clear on this: no DATE, no GRADE. It would make a great bottle opener with a minor adjustment! In fact, if done right, it would be worth more than a clipped damaged planchet. 🤣

Two more recent trends, why, I don't know, but the entire ENGELHARD silver bullion bar line has a higher profile line when compared with the others. They always command higher prices now that they are no longer being made and are routinely auctioned off, particularly the antique ones. You can even look up thrir serial numbers to find out the year they were made. Plus their shape, slanted toward the reverse, makes them practical as well as distinctive. The other trend is off-topic: the up-and-coming generations have expressed little interest in old movie-type heirloom furniture and their modern counterparts, all reproductions with cheaper veneer interiors are an embarrassment to the industry--and expensive. We're more mobile now and any "fine" furniture is scrapped. This is more noticeable on college campuses. Occasionally, an old but forgotten stash of coins is discovered hidden in the linings and inner recesses.

Yup. They even wrote a song about it. BS&T. "WHAT GOES UP, MUST COME DOWN. SPINNING WHEEL GOT TO GO 'ROUND....." (1968).

Jus' hadda remind me about the gold roosters Customs seized back a few years. And how I had to provide my full legal name, DOB and COMPLETE SSN, over the phone, to a complete stranger, under threat of sending them right back overseas. Coup de grace: the Mighty Condor, citing chapter and verse, provided me with proof I was not obligated to pay $33. for "miscellaneous administrative fees." Now tell me, what would you have done under the circumstances? I did what any respectable upstanding taxpayers numismatist would do. I blinked, caved in, spilt my guts out, and paid up. The big question I have now for all the FMV proponents out there is: after paying out all the money you do for your coins, don't you feel a little [awkward] asking for the usual sell price when you paid twice that?

One of the finest summaries of the events which occurred there I have ever had the privilege of reading. The detailed Link, thoughtfully provided, is the icing on the cake. I hope some of our up-and-coming YN's are motivated to explore this pivotal chapter of the War in the South Pacific which was precipitated by the Japanese aggression and includes everything from Pearl Harbor, the Bridge on the River Kwai, the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, the shoot-down of Admiral Yamamoto and culminated with Doolittle's raid on Japan and the detonation of atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Curious to know what is on the reverse?

I am going to yield to member @Sandon on this. (Incidentally, to the CCG members who renewed my membership and retained my chat board privileges, a hearty thank you. No less than the Guiness Book of Records has recognized my return from the dead five times.

Unlike hand guns whose serial numbers are stamped into the metal bas relief, the date was stamped in high relief. Many Buffalo nickels lost their dates unintentionally through wear. The only solution I see here is using a date-restoring chemical still available on the market which hobbyists have a disdain for but at this point you have little to lose. The damage has already been done. My own personal feeling is whatever method you choose will be insufficient to overcome the desecration committed. [I do like the cocktail glass that was inserted between the letters D and O at 18:00. Reminds me of Spike Jones' "Cocktails for Two."] If your result is legible, feel free to post it here--along with the method you chose. Worse comes to worse, we can always aolicit the suggestions of resident Mad Scientists of which we have a few. Makes me wonder if they ever caught the guy who obliterated the D's on all those 1922 Lincoln Cents. 🤣

Consider this. Whether it is called a wish or want list, the illustrious member Neophyte Numismatist has managed to start and finish a fairly phenomenal collection of Braided Half Cents--in half the time it's taken me to complete [my series] and still, two years later, the field lies fallow. He's Ranked 4 here but his compilations show he's an on-point contender and he's accomplished his feat in half the time it's taken me to accomplish mine, and although complete I am not done. For those curious to know what's holding me back, haven't a clew. I do have a collection on NGC's Set Registry which is Ranked #4. We're talking largely international acquisitions here and they are not for the faint of heart Presently, I am looking for three specimens, all grade scarce and virtually impossible to obtain. Herewith the deceptively simple particulars:. FRENCH 20-FRANC gold Roosters (le coq Marianne) PCGS MS-67 1910, 1913 and 1914. IF YOU, DEAR READER, HAVE A POSSIBLE LEAD ON A REPUTABLE, PROMINENT SOURCE, BY ALL MEANS, DROP ME A LINE. [Is there anything more, galling that knowing six (6)1910 Roosters have been certified by PCGS at the lofty grade MS-67... and I still cannot get my hands on one?]

If I may, I should like to suggest you review and condider a just-released PCGS article, "From the PCGS grading Room, Surface Smoothing and other Metal Mischief," by Kyle Clifford Knapp, dated April 14, 2023 as regarding some of the clearly observable phenomena you see on your coin which clearly identifies it as yours to the exclusion of all others beating your date and denomination.

I steadfastly maintain the Net Worth of a life-long bachelor (or spinster, if that term has not fallen out of vogue) and a well-heeled gentleman who just died, intestate, are exactly the same: $0.00. Now, as to selling... Sadly this depends largely on one's immediate circumstances. Sol Wachtler, once New York's chief judge wrote a book and became a paralegal. Robert Blake unabashedly said he needed a job in a post-acquittal sound bite. Bernie Madoff did not serve the term meted out to him in full but did the best he could. O.J. was reduced to stealing his assets but paid a heavy price for doing so. John J. "Whitey" Bulger was apprehended with quite a fortune. So was Saddam Hussein. I believe it safe to say their respective lawyers made out just fine. I received two pieces of bad news recently. Falling a few times, I could not get up. I contracted COVID-19 and had to wait until I tested negative to be treated only to see an item in the paper: while deaths from the pandemic fell, everyone's life expectancy had risen. I believe the people who truly enjoy collecting have a unique outlook on life that goes beyond the intrinsic value of things. My mother told me I was the richest person in the world. "You know why, she asked?" Because everything you love and admire can be found in museums and gardens and you're free to visit your things anytime you want. I found a wife who is upright, blameless and without sin. The Great z paid me the finest compliment publicly on this Forum in attaining the # 1 rank on my Set Registry and the Hon. V Kurt B stated a gold coin he had been gifted looked mighty fine. I officially have 24 G20F pieces most comprising the best of the best. The sets will remain intact. Like the OP, I have no plans or desire to sell.

As I commented on an unrelated recent thread the term BU can mean any one of five things: BU: [MS] 60-62; Choice BU: 63-64; Select BU: 64; Gem BU: 65; Superb BU: 66, or even 67, "best of the best." MINT STATE is defined in at least specific six specific countries: FRANCE, USA, ENGLAND, GERMANY, ITALY and SPAIN. No such subdivisions are made for BU in the first four countries cited above. None are used by the latter two. I suspect, if the buyer were given a choice and time, he would want an opportunity to view all individually. I would be willing to bet the six that were previously sold were very likely "the best of the best",

Rather than get into specifics I will concede what the previous member has stated in reply is true and cite my own experience. I trust the USPS. I do not insure my coins. On returns, I have no option. I submit my card and with my implicit trust, request they charge me accordingly. Several years ago, a woman advertised a coin no one else appeared to be interested in which hovered at just about melt. I knew what I paid for it, but I had no idea as to its real worth. If I am not mistaken I listed my coins, whether valued higher or lower, at an even, nominal amount. They were graded and it wasn't until I learned a Set Registry was available that I learned this coin, from a place I never heard of from the former Yugoslavia became a companion to the only other coin accorded that distinction held by another fellow member. With gold hovering at the 2K level, it is worth twice what I paid for. You win some, you lose some and what goes up must come down. PCGS accepts cash! Not one to shrink from a challenge, I checked off the box marked cash, and sent it to them certified, with a note saying take all the time you need. I am truly sorry you experienced something you could I'll afford, but if you learned something, you came out ahead.

I take it the '65 plate didn't pass muster with local or state officials.

Every heist of this magnitude, with or without inside help, is inevitably doomed to failure. Anyone remember that man of small stature (I am guessing that describing him as an Ecuadorian would not be p.c.) who saw an opportunity in NYC's Diamond District, and casually walked up to the back of a truck and seized a sealed can containing two solid bricks of gold (reported incorrectly as gold flakes) weighing roughly 80 lbs.? He simply walked off, but had no place to go, no fence, nothing. And the surveillance camera footage, crystal clear and taken from many angles, caught the whole incident on tape. They knew exactly who they were looking for: a man who had done this many times before. [He fled to Ecuador but is penniless. His ex-wife, to whom he had entrusted everything back in the States, kept it all. He is an illegal; she is inaccessible.] Anyone involved in this caper, crime partners, fences, associates, etc., are soon-to-be defendants... full-time. It takes only one person who gets into a jam in the future to break down and trade his freedom for everyone else involved. The dimes are insured; a reward may be unnecessary.