Henri Charriere

Sorry I do not know the answer to your question. Just wanted to say, Welcome to the Forum! Owing to the late hour, unless by dint of luck and timing, you may not get an answer until the morning.

Overall, and I have given this matter my complete undivided attention, I am left with the distinct impression this guy was not being forthright and direct, tried to pull a fast one, and simply got caught test-driving a money-making scheme on trusting people. If he'd've coined Roosters, unbeknownst to most numismatists, he would have made a poor choice: on either side of the date (except for the very earliest examples) two anti-counterfeiting devices were added. A miniscule torch on one side and a cornucopia (horn of plenty) on the other. In addition, the edge (sadly, not visible through most encapsulations) features a series of ornate, raised relief, protrusions which would be difficult if not impossible to replicate. That, and precise specs, would make counterfeiting one quite an undertaking but incredibly, counterfeits are known to exist in large part because, being bullion (a nod here to the Great z for pointing this out) they have circulated far and wide amongst a number of nations the people of which are not necessarily well acquainted with them... a Henning nickel would be interesting to own, but a Rooster, not so much.

I thought the distinctive name and product sounded familiar. There is apparently a great deal more to this case than meets the eye. I had to refresh my recollection so I cheated, and looked it up. Herewith, the dirt... The government charged von NotHaus with among other things, the circulation of medallions as "legal tender." That is a Federal crime. He was a co-founder of the Royal Hawaiian Mint Company and Cannabis Spiritual Center. During the 2011 Federal criminal trial he helmed the National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve and Internal Revenue Code (NORFED). You will excuse me if this seemingly simple matter suddenly became "curiouser and curiouser," as Alice in Wonderland once said. The original sentence of 15 years, a $250,000 fine and confiscation of 500 lbs. of silver and 40-50 ozs. in gold,----he sold $85 million in Liberty dollars----was reduced, and reduced again, to six months' house arrest + 3 years' probation. But the matter did not end there. There's more. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney characterized him as having engaged in a unique form of "domestic terrorism." The Government does not throw terms around like that lightly. From the U.S. Attorney's office... "while these forms of anti-government activities do not involve violence, they are every bit as insidious and represent a clear and present danger to the economic stability of this country." Then you have some guy named Perlman picking up where von NautHaus left off----except he is (or perhaps was) a proponent of cryptocurrency. Hmm. I take it you vote Not Guilty. [A member of note, presumably speaking in ex cathedrs, in the interim has voted, Guilty.] Without getting into the nitty-gritty, I am inclined to give the Government the benefit of the doubt. The design elements of the coin, its intent, this affiliation with NORFED (that's one way to get unwanted official scrutiny) the marijuana, have all clouded my thinking. In reading the literature, and in particular, the comeback attempts (there was a 3rd not worth getting into) I see a suggestion of manipulation and circumvention of some kind. Any one of these standing along might stand examination, but taken as a whole I am left with the old adage, "where there's smoke, there's fire." Consequently, me believeth there was some measure of justice in the verdict rendered. Should those coins continue to be sold? The confiscated Liberty dollars were returned, correct? Yes. The damage, if any, was done. And if there were those who had any doubts about misrepresentation, they have long ago dissipated.

Re NGCX... no one aged 65 or older need be concerned. This is something the younger generations coming up are going to have to wrestle with. Besides, the older ladies and gents in this hobby hold all the cards. Change, as always, comes slowly.

The 2009 UHR caught my eye... until I considered the specs and quickly realized due to the design enhancement it would differ from the traditional Saint.

To be fair about it, these are caricatures which could never be mistaken for the real thing. What I'd like to do--or would have liked to have done, is get me a Squared Quarter. Now that's making a statement. These pieces are just fine with me. So fine in fact, I wouldn't be especially interested in owning one.

🐓: We really ought to check out this Water Cooler section, the place as I recall, Alex specifically implored management not to banish us to. Q.A.: Too late. If memory serves, OFF TOPIC was surreptitiosly moved there under cover of darkness.

Nope, but the movie was in a class by itself. Like Airplane.

I liked Animal House.

If it wasn't Burger King, you can't "have it your own way."

Q.A.: 🐓 Forum: What is it? Q.A.: A "talking" Rooster. Forum: "I have to be honest with you, it stinks!..." "[Expletive deleted!]..." "I don't think so, and I'm usually right about these things!" "These two need to be deleted from their digital existence!" "One of the worst ideas I ever heard!" "Nugatory nonsense! Nobody would lament losing either!" "A veritable trainwreck... hijacked by hooligans!" "[Nothing but a troll; how droll!]" "Better this site be shut down and cease to exist!" "t'was better in the old days... Sleepy Hollow..." * * * 🐓: So how did it go? Q.A.: THEY LOVE ❤️ US! 🐓: We're back!!!

Q.A.: I believe the jury has returned with a verdict. 🐓: It has, sir, as enshrined and set forth in pertinent part, above. Q.A.: Thank you, Oh Great One, for expressing our thoughts succinctly and accurately.

What a difference [not quite] a month makes... "Implosion of Trusted Exchange Shakes Cryptocurrency Faithful." [New York Times, late last week, page one.] There was an interesting editorial underscoring the fact that while people may not understand crypto, they understand ZE-RO. Looks like government regulators (and Federal prosecutors) have their work cut out for them. Forensics at its finest.

An ode to Poe, from Poe... "Who has not, a hundred times, found himself committing a vile or silly action for no other reason than because he knows he should not? "Have we not a perpetual inclination, in the teeth of our best judgment, to violate that which is [---] merely because we understand it to be such?" Source: The Black Cat, 1843

I have to admit the mere existence of such a disconnect has never even occurred to me. If this is true, it doesn't bode well for the hobby.

Might this be your quaint way of suggesting a gofundme is in the offing?

$40 billion -- 4 thousand million. Exploration is interesting, but at what cost. Here's what my wife said to me on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing (1969/2019) and I quote: "How did they get there?... What did they find?" I was unable to answer her second question.

I never lost confidence in you. My faith has been immeasurably restored.

First I heard of it. Question: Is this Artemis worth four thousand billion dollars? I don't think so.

[In an aside, I would be very curious to know the year of the oldest coin upon which a grade of MS-70 has been bestowed. It seems it would have had to have been something of fairly recent "vintage."]

Re counterfeiting... Based solely on what I have read, I believe the matter of interdicting foreign counterfeits has been assumed by CBP, now under DHS. The Secret Service, now under DHS as well, has for some time drawn a bead on counterfeit U.S. money-making operations, drug money laundering, any surplus irregularities such as that which developed in the FRD serving Miami, and other transit points, as well as "Super Notes," or high-quality $100. bills produced by North Korea. My guess is if counterfeits were produced in enough quantity to have a measurable impact on the economy, you can be sure the problem would be addressed. While I have no basis in saying so, I believe counterfeit clothing, designer this-and-that (clothing, luggage, handbags, watches, etc.) have long assumed a higher profile on governmental agencies' radar screens. Again, if counterfeits of numismatic items were to become more of a problem, priorities would be re-ordered and the matter would be addressed. With the advent of TPGS, I would like to think the universe of all possibilities is constantly shrinking.

🐓: You might as well admit it, Q... Q.A.: As much as I dislike saying so before a live, studio audience, the truth is I am a coward. I confine my purchases to authorized dealers with an enviable reputation and a proven track record. No fuss. No muss. All of the allegations members may have heard regarding my discriminatory taste in buying is true. Guilty as charged. My sincere apologies to the majority of coin sellers on eBay (and the fly-by-nights on etsy).

Evidently, nature called, more than once, regrettably when the gentleman was indisposed. I'd chalk it up to bad timing.

Oops, there it is! What else could account for the tasteless interest? Absolutely shameful this matter was even brought up.

This is an incredible revelation! On the other hand, given to making such intemperate observations of late, who's going to salvage your credibility now? An entire organization devoted to Numismatics exists, and has existed, to stoke ONE person's ego? Shades of meshuga...