Henri Charriere

🐓: What's the finest fineness you ever heard of? Q.A.: Four nines: .9999. 🐓 : So what happened to the other .0001? Q.A.: According to Wm S. Burroughs, God kept it for himself. 🤣

I see a few problems with your assertions -- and I am not taking sides. It seems to me Idhair, relying on personal knowledge and experience, would not feel comfortable advocating for something that cannot produce consistent, positive results, so he would rather "err" on the side of safety. You managed to get one by NGC, but considering their caseload and the average interval spent on a never-ending cascade of coins, why wouldn't some slip by? One member who very likely is not convinced or impressed is RWB. You cannot prove the '34 quarter was treated; he cannot prove it wasn't. VKurtB cautions Newbies to stay away from YouTube. I say some people simply need guidance. Is alcohol, tobacco and drugs dangerous? Not if you don't use them. I don't think any member has an axe to grind in dissuading others to engage in potentially consequential activity.

🐓 : "....wasted..." There goes your theory on sentimental value. Pfttt! Any more brilliant deductions? Q.A.: Remember the time I bought that USPS money order for two ($0.02) cents, and the nice lady behind the counter asked me if I knew what I was doing? I said yes, and it was well worth the price. I can see there is no intimidating you and holding you will serve no useful purpose. You don't owe me or anyone else an explanation... Go ahead and release him, Ricky. You're a good sport power guy!

Q.A.: IT IS ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NOT DAMAGE PRODUCED DURING MINTAGE OPERATION. 🐓: HOW DO YOU KNOW? WHAT EVIDENCE CAN YOU CITE IN SUPPORT OF YOUR STAND-ALONE CONCLUSION UNSUPPORTED BY A SHRED OF LEGALLY-ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE? Q.A.: THAT'S THE BRILLIANCE OF MY STRATEGY. NO ONE WOULD ACCEPT SUCH CONJECTURE PRESENTED AS FACT, LYING DOWN. 🐓: OKAY, THEN WHAT? Q.A.: HE WILL [HOPEFULLY] PRODUCE AN APPROPRIATE PHOTO ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLES SET DOWN BY THE RENOWNED SANDON (SUFFICIENT MAGNIFICATION, CLOSELY-CROPPED AND UNDER SUITABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS; IT WOULD NOT HURT TO POST A PHOTO OF THE REVERSE AS WELL.) 🐓: SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE. Q.A.: WE DON'T. THE BALL IS IN HIS COURT. (Posted at the discretion of Moderation.)

🐓: May I cross-examine the witness? Q.A.: Sure, go right ahead! MV: Did I say something wrong??? 🐓: Not at all... I am curious to know if you have ever gotten a gift that had you sitting there, after unwrapping it, totally perplexed? Or received.something that made you wonder, "Why this?" (Worse case scenario: getting something you can't stand... Why would anyone give me this???) I have a theory that this was how and why "re-gifting" began. Hence, all the stories about unwanted fruitcakes, positively revolting neckties and totally useless tchotchkes. Doormen, superintendent, porters -- even the regular postal worker get red envelopes from me. My attitude is, I want them to know I really appreciated their service and can count on their cooperation next time. Now, you might rightly say, "but I'm not talking about service people. I am talking about my family and friends." Fair enough. My response: some people are "giftable," others are not. I don't particularly care for gifts; sometimes they cause problems. I gave my mother gifts of things I knew she absolutely loved: flowers, Lily of the Valley-scented, triple-milled three-bar boxes of soap from France and perfumes. Decades later, she passed away and tucked away with everything else was a love letter I had written to a girl in elementary school (who later realized her dream in Hollywood) -- and every box of soap and perfume I had bought her for her birthday, Mother's Day and other special occasions. I asked my sister who was going through her things with me, "Why?" and she had apparently confided her they were too lovely to open and use. No wonder every kid I grew up with said they wished they had a mother like mine. I can recall saying to any number of people, "Here, get yourself something you really want." They understand. Cash may seem impersonal but it helps to explain to your recipient why you made that choice. The most difficult gifts are those intended for "the person who has nothing," and "the person who has everything" I made a promise to a person on this Forum that if I won one of the big lotteries, I would get him the High-Wire Act (SG DE MCMVIII) the coin he always had his eye on. I intend to keep that promise, with or w/o his knowledge. (Posted at the discretion of Moderation.)

I have nothing to substantiate this assertion, but I have a feeling there are many more holed coins in India than in any other country in the world. The "coins," whether real or not are composed of 22k, or 91.6% pure gold. German silver, contains no silver at all. It contains a 60% Cu base, 20% Zn, and 20 % Ni. The English have their own system: Sterling is 92.5% while Brittania (which I have never encountered is at least 95.84% silver. Getting back to India [which appears to hold their gold in high regard, I would assume the gold worn as jewelry has no real numismatic value and its true worth is as a form of wearable bullion] but I want to emphasize that is only my feeling particularly after visiting the heart of Little India and it's countless gold shops in Jakson Heights, Queens, N.Y. Holed coins are not common but my impression after perusing a number of catalogs from Europe is holed coins with numismatic value are rarely available for sale. As jewelry, gold outnumbered silver. Simply my impression. Maybe I should ring up @zadok . He is the go-to person on everything numismatic. 🤣

EXTRA! EXTRA! Hear all about it... My army of fans will be delighted to hear I tore through all my leather-bound calendar/diary/record books and found an entry dated September 30, 2011, and photo entitled, "This gold bar shown here last week in Nanjing, China (yes that Nanjing, formerly known as the infamous site of what has come to be known as the Nanking Massacre 1937) weighs 99.999 kilograms and has a purity of 99.999 percent." MEMBERSHIP: Hold on a minute! What's this weigh in troy ounces and what's this worth in USD? 🐓: To quote the late, great Oldhoopster: "Go look it up!" (Alright, alright... Hint: as of this writing, just one kilogram of gold is valued at $77,338.17. You may multiply that figure by 100.) (I thank our Grandmaster, RWB, for his cooperation in graciously allowing me to keep the Topic active pending release of the upcoming article, and the Moderators for posting the foregoing at their discretion.) Man, I love this place! 🤣

Just 2 fleeting thoughts... 1. @powermad5000 : pray tell, where did you get this fantastical notion that you don't have to explain yourself to anyone? Tell ya what, we're gonna leave you cuffed to the wall. When you're ready to talk turkey, give us a holla. 2. @cladking : I regret to inform you that those of us who remember exactly where we were when Kennedy got shot, had options. Most of us began collecting from change. Those born post 9/11 are from an alien culture and speak a strange tongue. Absent real coins (you know, with silver and copper, not just copper mascara) in change, they will collect whatever they can get their hands on. Modern is all they've ever known and that's what they're going to collect. Truth be told, I feel sorry for them. So sorry, in fact, that despite the fact the bank teller was glad the 12 rolls I picked up at a bank that got tired of looking at them with no takers, I took and gave all 120 to young people who had never even known they existed, ancient women trying to eke out an existence collecting recyclables, check-out clerks, migrants (for good luck) and criminals... with a warning: Listen closely, Spend it or lose it and bad luck will follow you for the rest of your life. My collecting days are over. One -- and I'm done! You can quote me on that.

I am just a bit curious. As readers may recall, Ricky ratted me out upthread and disclosed I had snuck downstairs to the mailbox after learning earlier in the heat of battle with combatants on this Topic that a dead-center pre-punched hole had arrived. This entire thread was devoted to the use and misuse of acetone. On other Topics, vinegar was discussed as was extra virgin olive oil -- as well as other products including WD-40 (which I intend to use the next time I come across a Zincoln or similar worthless piece. My question is the token I received is made of brass and has that typical funeral parlor pallor. Anybody have a valid suggestion. JB on his Token Tuesday thread recommended olive oil (which it is sitting in now) but no way I am going to wait weeks or months for results. Surely, there is a Mad Scientist out there that can suggest a more expedited approach because, JHVH willing, it's coming out of the drink a minute past Tuesday morning, hopefully bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ready for its close-up and posting.

Funny thing is I had no trouble ordering a coin from France from someone I never met, spoke to or had prior communication with, threw 2G in cash in an envelope, and mailed it, just like that, with nary a care in the world, but with your coin, I envision a large neon sign blinking on-and-off DEF-CON-1.and FULL STOP! But why? Part of it is... (you got time? Good!) When I met my fiancee's mother for the first time, I brought her a textbook on Calculus and a full-color, quality brochure for a top-of-the-line Patek Phiippe chronograph. Her sisters translated my English to French: "This is what I see in your daughter: perfection, beauty and a finished gem, both inside and out. She understood. Mike, I understand what you are trying to convey with mere words, but I am a certified Virgo. I would not accept that coin if it were offered to me free in an inheritance, regardless its true value. I don't acquire things that require an explanation down the line. I prefer the coin speak for itself. 🐓 : Pardon me, but wasn't that a holed coin that you got out of the mailbox last nite? Q.A.: Ricky, relax! That was a token by patients admitted to the Federal Narcotics Hospital (known by various names) pre-holed, for use in vending machines circa 1935. The only explanation required is why I bought it. (I'll save that for JB's Token Tuesday topic Irrespective of one's view, or that of a TPGS -- they call it details; NYPD homicide calls it a "through-and-through," a shot that entered and exited the deceased, cleanly. Gratuitous comment: Wanna compromise its value? Give it an acetone bath!

Just hadda remind me it's also been that long since a worthy 🐓 has turned up for my reg. set... Both nickels are Buffalo-ready!

That, and most regrettably... "What makes you think this is a counterfeit? Teach me!" This is where my path and those trod by the highly-acclaimed seasoned veterans on the various forums,who really ought to know better, diverge. Absolutely ridiculous that some illiterate fella in Guandong province would a). fail to acquire a genuine specimen, or two, and b).a stack of high-resolution photos, to boot, with which to compare their artistic skills with. Anyone with prior coiner experience already knows the basics. (I would not be surprised at all to find out some apprentices are members in good standing.) Apparently, no one with the intestinal fortitude here, can summon up the courage to say, "Pardon my impertinence, but aren't you the same person who was scammed in a widely-reported gold scheme, or was it that scamster writing to you from Nigeria...?" If, a month from now, my highly regarded source in France fails to come through for me, I will spare the membership crocodile tears. Almost to a man, those in the know will dismiss the loss as a cheap publicity stunt. After all, WHO sends cash money (crisp currency) through the U.S. Mails? A $20-dollar bill, maybe. Two $100-dollar bills? Possibly, if you know someone locally. But $2,000? to an overseas location? It turns out most of the people who lost their life's savings to Bernie Madoff did not know him personally. He was recommended by a mutual friend by referral. What could possibly go wrong? Have you heard about those impressive monthly account statements? And besides, he was no fly-by-nighter. His whole family was involved and, knowing the reach, investigative powers and infinite resources of the Federal Government, I am not inclined to challenge the assertions made by those claiming they had no prior knowledge of the scheme that kept ballooning out of control. The result was inevitable and the deaths of family members, and requisite banishment of his wife far, far away from everything, was tragic. I suppose he could have turned back but my own feeling was he was in too deep. He could not stop... he had to be stopped. (Posted at the sole discretion of Moderation.)

To my my most faithful and devoted fan @zadok , and the membership-at-large... 1. z: be assured you will be reimbursed for disabling your "sad" emoji which saw more action than the Marines at Iwo Jima; 2. I was diagnosed as a "Danny Downer" by the OP. Sandon was elevated to "Rocket Scientist" which effectively supersedes his status as "Newbie." 3. All kindly note my contribution to broadening the "body of knowledge": The "Q" in Q-tip stands for Quality. 4. Contrary to the OP's claim, two photos of the "washed-out" FEC remain. Seek and ye shall find. 5. Acetone, one of the most common and effective liquids used to rinse powdered cocaine, is banned for export to coca-leaf producing countries by the USG, and remains on its list of prohibited precursor products. 6. Acetone... prolonged exposure to its toxic fumes in enclosed areas without adequate ventilation is the reason why workers of primarily Asian owned nail salons are plagued by headaches, dizziness, memory-loss and ultimately brain damage (as reported in a paper of record.); 7. Whatever the justification for its use, as with clothing and accessories, it is always best to apply acetone on sample coins of equal composition and quality but lesser value first. The OP crows his FEC looks fine, notably using a term no one else has: "washed-out"; 8. "Wrong" is rude and disrespectful. Only Kurt is allowed to use that descriptor. (You can only be insulted or become angry, if you allow yourself to be. That is why z and me get along swimmingly well. Besides, he's obliged to defend Oldhoopster's honor. I understand.); 9. Post left blank. 10. @ Idhair: I did, in fact, accept your offer to "teach me," but moderation thought the better of it. (Posted at the discretion of Moderation, with my express assent.)

I don't know... I think it's best to dispense with the formalities and niceties and get to the heart of the matter. It is my understanding that all innovations are incorporated routinely as standard operating procedure. What we need is an unbiased opinion from someone who is unalterably opposed to certifying everything under the sun. A second opinion, as it were. And who better than @VKurtB is qualified to render an opinion? All in favor, say "Aye!"

... I em jus, howw u seh, awl (viejo) ill liritt... I no tink acid-tone gut 4 (quattro) 'rigin'l minnt lustar.

You kiddin' me? That giant, in-your-face, impossible to overlook, jagged San Andreas fault line on the bell, with unyielding pressure so great, the bell broke and could not be rung anymore! Numismatists have quaintly referred to it is a "crack," from time immemorial, but they have little, or more practically, No knowledge of how tectonic plates work and the role subterranean pressure works far below the surface beyond visual examination. Besides, before you get ready to pounce, would you care to explain how your "crack" healed itself? Yeah, teach ME !

FINALLY... a Franklin Half w/o that die break. 🤣

Okay, fine, never clean a coin. Why? Because Mike and a gaggle of others say so. Scenario: Drop a coin in the mud, find an open fire hydrant and before I can make my move, someone whose credentials are unimpeachable will say (now that I've shorn my meter-long beard) "Son, I wouldn't do that if I were you." Startled, I would look up and say, "But this water's been voted the cleanest, best-tasting, most refreshing water in blind taste tests conducted with brand-name waters from all over the world!" He'll come back with, "Maybe so, but it's not distilled." End of conversation... So water is out, but a chemical is in? Look at your coin. The one on top looks normal, circulated, and naturally brown with age. Now take a look at the bottom. It looks CLEANED !!! . Positively, unmistakeably pale! CuNi-ish! All traces of the surgery that was conducted on the eagle leaving a scar where some [Expletive deleted] shot an arrow at the lower end of its neck was removed. No plastic surgery needed! The wonder drug, acetone, obliterated all traces of it. I do not believe it is worthy of submission, but if you came looking for me I'd be the guy sitting outside on the fence next to the security booth at NGC HQ waiting for a preliminary assessment. 🤣 I have always thought tipping someone with a dirty coin or bill was inconsiderate. The same goes for submissions -- and posting photos. (And I agree, hands should be washed and finger nails cleaned and trimmed when displaying coins.) Incidentally, do you perceive any conflict in advising collectors to "apply light pressure" while using a cotton swab with a chemical, and suggesting coins be "pat dried (do not rub)" after using water? 🤣 Of all the metals used, I believe gold to be the least problematic. I also believe original mint luster should never be sacrificed for a face lift. Dependent upon circumstances, any problems encontered, including all rare coins, regardless of condition, should be addressed by conservationists. Guess I'll wait to see what other members have to say. (Note: The foregoing comments are made good-naturedly, and posted at the sole discretion of moderation.)

@bstrauss3 : As difficult as it may seem to believe, things could have been a whole lot worse. Suppose she'd've called and said, "Where's all that money you promised me"? 🤣

The saying goes, Buy Low, Sell High. I had bought a great deal of silver from The North West Territorial mint, without problem. Silver, then, was "stable." Years later, unbeknownst to me, I looked them up on Google and was surprised to see all the negative reviews. That answered the question as to what happened to the two twenty-dollar bills I once sent "The Metal Mint" for a pound of copper I never got. Cu was in a free-fall and those folks understandably could no longer maintain a sustainable operation. I took it in stride. The silver I ordered from the NWT mint, sent to me in canvas (duck?) bags experienced the same problem, the only difference being I got my silver, I suspect, when Peter robbed Paul until there were no new Pauls to rob, everything ground to a halt. So yes, Buy Low and Sell High, but do not do so when prices are on a steady downward trend. Silver, post Hunt bros., had already bottomed out when I placed my order. I miss that Englehard hallmark and its weight in my back pocket (about 8 lbs.) but that was 40 years ago. A lot has happened since. Lucky for me, the best things in life are free, I live well within my needs, found a special woman, an apartment at less than half the rent I was paying, gold at its lowest when I got in, is now close to the highest it's ever been -- and do not have a care in the world.ife is beautiful!

What you fail to take into consideration is the public's memory is fleeting with a short attention span. Cases in point: the two men and sixty some odd others who made transatlantic crossings in 1919 -- yet Lindberg's name is the only one remembered. Quintus Arrius is a figment of someone's imagination on the numismatic forums of NGC and yet he (and his sidekick) who never existed in real life will be longer remembered than Farrah whose claim to fame is a single photo as a pin-up lady.

Nicely cropped! How 'bout shots of the reverse and the edges? A lot of Chinese fakes out there! 🤣

Relying solely on my certified negative three (-3) I.Q. and wary of the OP releasing a daisy cutter over my already rublle-strewn neighborhood, I should like to put this matter to rest as the Attica Commission noted 50+ years ago, "firmly and with finality." I say more evidence has been produced in support of the case of the existence of an "SMS" set than has been produced for the Loch Ness fella. What don't we know about them other than some members violently disagree with the usage of the designation? Nothing. Now if you commit the ultimate sacrilege and break up a set formerly in its OGH, sorry, but all bets are off. (I do not know if Sandon has ever engaged in such conduct personally, but speaking with authority that discourages debate, I would be inclined to accept his word unchallenged.) This topic has been bandied about long enough. That decision, ultimately, however, is Flying Al's to make.

Postscript: FWIW... I believe one of the two major TPGSs routinely photograph all coins submitted to them and equip each slab with a computer chip. I wrote asking whether it was possible to photograph half the certified slabs in my Set Registry if I sent them in, and was told yes. I received a swift assurance that submission was not necessary because photos of all coins are taken and copies (visual I assume) are already available for a fee. I do not know what NGC's policy is as regarding the Topic at hand, but agree re-certification and re-encapsulation is an unavoidable necessity..