Henri Charriere

Probably not lawful to say here, and I'm already on Mark's bad side, but HA has got to be the most user-unfriendly web site ever devised by man.

Everything on gold Roosters is spread thin amongst twelve sources. All my knowledge was put together piecemeal. There was no other way to do it. The French Red Book? About as useful as an old 'phone directory: Dates and mintage (and out of date values.) Little else. Varieties, errors? Don't make me laugh!

The problem with collectors is money is everything until you start talking about the money they squander on alcohol, tobacco and drugs. God forbid, a new and improved system would crimp their irresponsible lifestyles. My feeling about the proposal is simple, and I have made my views known to TPGs, I want an TRUE objective assessment whether it affects the value upward or downward. Period.

At the very least that means some of his savvy, inquisitive, knowledgeable former investors have a shot at recovering their losses. (His sidekick can use an Oprah Winfrey make-over.)

This comment is making it very difficult for me to move my Roosters to the East Side from the West Side. One hiccup, and that's an easy thousand-plus dollars [plus sales tax, insurance and all other expenses] down the drain. I still remember everything you told me in your post. I am opening the books for 90 days (Jan. 1, 2023 thru April Fool's) I have reconnected with all my overseas contacts. I intend to be at NYINC. I am looking for that one special top-tier coin to assure my status as the G.O.A.T. if I fail, my many detractors will be ecstatic.

Here's something that's sure to get someone's goat. Notwithstanding stars, give or take, I am going to propose a grade that has heretofore never been pushed before yet: An AU-59+. Simply amazing how, of the billions of coins minted world-wide since the dawn of civilization, not one has ever attained the grandeur of this storied grade. But there is one catch: the TPGS will have to reach a consensus that in all other applicable grading respects, the coin would have to qualify unanimously for Mint State status. What this hobby needs is an unorthodox way of looking at common things. [I myself would pay a premium for the odd designation.] All in favor say, Aye!

🐓: Hey Q, you gonna call him out on "compliment," or shall I? Q.A.: Don't you dare! I don't relish the idea of entertaining the mere musings of a bored rooster--and this may be too close to call--but I believe, in the context in which you've used the word presented, "complement" with an "e" is the correct form you intended to use.

[As you may have heard, he has since been released on a quarter-million dollar OR bond and sadly conceded he "only had a hundred thousand dollars in his bank account." At your direction, I would be happy to set up a gofundme for this unkempt schlub who shows up at a Federal court arraignment in a dark suit and white shirt sans necktie. Sheesh!]

With my luck, when it comes time to sell, I will be told the one-stars are par for the course (numis-speak for nothing special) but the five-stars are where the money is.

I tried to explain the principle to my wife in English and all she could say was, ("Wee, bree-YO, byen soor!") or "Yes, Brillo,™️ of course!" Her lovely smile deterred me from trying to pursue the matter further.

@RWB: It's late, the moderators are gone, maybe I can speak freely... The answer to your Topic question is yes, but what grader would dare answer this question? Would he even have an inkling as to what you were inferring? All I know is what I see in my tiny corner of the world. A dump of gold Roosters of unknown origin was gone over with a fine-toothed comb. Those that held promise were set aside. Those that didn't were treated like the bullion pieces they are and always will be. I have been watching the censuses and populations on both sides. I noticed that the three exquisite MS-66's I offered a collector for his Top Pop MS-65 on the East Side, no longer boasts that recognition factor on the West Side. A finer specimen has since superseded his. Naturally, his coin, in my view----I couldn't care less what the white-shoe law firm types think----is worth less. Why? Because there is something better out there. When I send my WANT LISTS in, to a dozen different likely stewards---- everybody has his price, apparently, except me---I always include the note: "when it becomes available." Half-grades mean nothing to me; it signifies an upgrade is inevitable. Stars? I know what starred bank-notes signify, but the starred coin's significance lies solely in the eyes of the beholder. I would like to see what you propose (as gleaned from your query) come to fruition and it may when the up-and-coming younger market, fickle as ever, demands it. In my case, it will be interesting to see what the FMV becomes for something that hasn't even been certified by anyone... as of yet. Incidentally, someone's got those two '68's and I aim to find out who if it's the last thing I do.

For some time now I have lamented the legitimate collector's unfamiliarity with the splendid array of marvelous tools at Moderation's disposal. Lately, barring outright guideline violations, I have gotten the impression that there may be some merit to members' complaints that they would rather not see my name attached to every thread in sight, and hear from me even less. While it has taken me some time to establish precisely when Moderation is most active, it serves little purpose to exploit the advantage when the post is inevitably removed. ACCORDINGLY, I, QUINTUS ARRIUS, WILL VOLUNTARILY LIMIT MY OUTPUT TO REGISTERING LIKES, AND THE LIKE, AND POST REPLIES OR COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO NO MORE THAN THREE PER DAY. THAT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH OF A CONCESSION TO THOSE WHO MAY BE NEW TO THE PROFESSION AND CHAT BOARDS, BUT TRUST ME, IT IS A SEA CHANGE IN ATTITUDE I BELIEVE MOST WHO UTILIZE THE BOARD FOR POSITIVE DISCOURSE WILL FIND MOST WELCOME. Who knows, it may even encourage the gentleman who penned the "Outta here" farewell to come back and test-drive a new and improved chat board. 😉

You are one very very lucky collector who takes being around forever, as an undisputed given. Not so me. I am giving myself ninety (90) days to wrap up the Rooster fest. I have reconnected with all my mainstays overseas--did you know Stacks had an office in France?--and expect the boss (my wife) to accompany me to NYINC without the ornamental bracelets, but come April Fool's, the joke will be on me. It's now, or never...

Greetings Al! I know this aspect has been addressed before elsewhere, but would you mind specifying the tool used to effect "polishing"? I assume a wire brush is out of the question, but what exactly are we talking about here, a camel's hair brush?

Unless this is a re-run, I will assume the reverse is not worthy of an unveiling.

[In the absence of one's "word of honor," as it is understood in the usual sense, I believe I can assure with some measure of confidence he is.]

[If I may, I should like to present you with a quote taken from a chapter titled, "Mister 880," ".... the United States Secret Service conducted a manhunt for [Edward] Mueller (ne Emerich Juettner) that exceeded in intensity and scope any other manhunt in the chronicles of counterfeiting. (The U.S.S.S. called him Mr. Eight Eighty, and then Old Mr. Eight Eighty, after the number of the file kept on him at Secret Service HQ, in Washington, for in those years they knew him only by the bills he passed [from 1938 to 1948]." So why all the hubbub? Because this most sought after man counterfeited one-dollar silver certificates which infuriated those whose duty was to catch him because he misspelled the president's name exactly the same way you did turning out the crude dollar bills from the same kind of inferior plates, on the same [primitive] hand-driven printing press in the same corner of the same kitchen of the same tip-floor tenement flat, and he never turned out more counterfeit dollars than he needed to support his dog and himself. Having overstayed my welcome, I wish you all the best for the holidays season!]

Too late to change my vote? This "Federal" eagle is looking pretty good right about now!

Had this been an 1883, I would have no problem paying you $5. for it.

I've read a lot of stuff from Doug Winters over the years about Saints, and the like, but I have no compunction, in upbraiding (I almost wrote upgrading ) him about his use of the term High Wires©️ which I have successfully fooled no one in believing I'm the sole copywriter of.

@World Colonial: I am not ashamed to say I will recall every word you've ever uttered when the bottom falls out and I am sitting on a sidewalk somewhere with a cardboard cup soliciting contributions from those who would be inclined to commit a random act of kindness.

@RWB: Actually, there is a need for such a concern as you describe in your topic because after a lifetime of being forced-fed tinseltown through rose-colored lenses, it will be a long-needed welcomed spectacle of respected numismatists picketing "business has never been better'-- coin shows with sandwich signs reading, "BEWARE! THE END IS NEAR! Coin collectors will do fine. Plenty of people collect cars, bikes, boats, homes--and orchids. But the investor, like it or not, may outwardly exude patience, but there're not happy about it. I announced my retirement from collecting but a Rooster dump changed my plans. If I can acquire anywhere from one to three more coins within the next ninety days after a blanket appeal to those who likely may have them, or access to those who do, I'm done. Anyone interesting in finding out whatever happened to old Rooster meister Quintus will find him feeding the birds in Washington Square Park. Unlike collectors and investors, I truly don't care if I make or lose a cent on my collections. For me, it was all about the thrills of victory and the agonies of defeat. 🐓

I believe you can do a lot better than that. The blindfold became a necessity when it was learned may workers went blind after glancing at her alluring features up close, day-after,day for God knows how long. That is why depictions of her her over the centuries have placed her on a high place. ]Now you and I----and possibly our error guy----now the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.]

This is no longer true. Fair Market Value is a myth. Prices at auctions are skewed by fanatics who want or need coins at any price. It takes only one person to up-end a market for no other reason than they can, and many years to recover. None of the top-tier gold Roosters I seek are rare; they are simply unavailable [presumably at an unextortortionate price.] The hobby these people are getting into are primarily flawless [in elegant Morgans]. Collectors of LHC are not even collectiong 21st C issues, least of all because they are not real and lack featureless characteristics. Your average collector today is an introvert consumed by electronic cellphones and gadgets. They lack the discipline to see a series through. They don't even collect heirloom furniture. They cannot remember a time when coins were collected much less who were on them--or why. Purely speculative. How long did it take presumably educated people to get involved in crypto? How quick were they to par with gheir money lacking even fundamental knowledge of the product they were "investing" in? Picture yourself being asked, If you buy this coin today, it will return over 12% interest in a half-century? This is the age of credit and instant gratification. Yeah, if you can find them.

Here's my prediction... In the end, the top contenders will emerge deliriously happy. (They comprise no more than 90% of the "investors.") The traditional hobbyists, who comprise a good 90 % of the hobby who still remember when collecting was a pleasure, will stubbornly pursue their passion for nothing more that the sheer delight of collecting coins, and socializing at conventions with liked-minded people who will occasionally revisit the question as to just how World Colonial knew exactly how things were going to turn out in the future.