Henri Charriere

🐓 : What makes you so sure the OP is coming back? Q.A.: YOU KIDDIN' ME? He's got twenty in on this bid! You think it's easy walkin' away from a commitment? This guy's got stamina, endurance--all the attributes that made him a great 'ball player. Besides, ever notice when he formulates his replies he uses the pronoun "we," as though speaking on behalf of the entire congregation? Remember the time I suggested one member enjoyed unconditional immunity? Not to be outdone, he shot back, No member ought to have that kind of power... (except him, of course!) You know what they say in the rooms, "there are no big "I"s and little "U"s. He is the exception. A long-time member in good standing who speaks with authority. [And quiet is kept, Top Management's got his back.]

Q.A.: What say you, Ricky? 🐓: The Great z (yes, I can refer to him as such again because Oldhoop flew the coop) opined these coin are bullion, and as such, are notoriously difficult to grade, not so much from "wear" but being jostled... it is my understanding you made the gentleman an offer (via mental telepathy) he may well consider in lieu of this Guess the Grade charade.

Troo dat!

What trainwreck? What edge? The entire Forum's state of health cannot be extrapolated from a single thread. The OP has enough juice that he can begin and end, a thread with a single post which can be reduced to a single word: Goodbye/Farewell. Comment posted. Comment received. All else is noise. Oldhoop'll be back. You'll see.

Coolest name I ever heard was a Presley type named Lash LaRue. His real name!

One thing for sure, this isn't a time for selling. It's too late for that.

"Flat Rim" sounds so Pffft! "High-Wire" evokes the specter of a Wallenda or Philip Petit performing a crossing between the then newly-opened Trade Center towers. This hobby can use a little more imaginative descriptors.

The French 20-franc gold rooster series was actually the eleventh and last in the long line of such denominations produced by the Paris mint. And though dated 1906 to 1914, they were actually minted in 1921, as well as in the 1950's and 1960's. Unofficially, they are referred to as the "restrikes" in English.

[I ask rhetorically, with all the advances being made in cutting edge metallurgy and a cumulative base of knowledge and experience in die-making and Mint machine maintenance, is this the very best the U.S. Government can do in producing an aesthetically pleasing coin for circulation?]

Note: While I sympathize with the plight of your friend, posting a solicitation for money on an essentially personal, non-numismatic matter, is not in accordance with the Board Guidelines. There are members in good standing here who have suffered cataclysmic losses due to Acts of God, including flooding and wind damage and not a few who have endured financial ruin, irreversible health problems, some brought on by advanced age. This is a Forum devoted to Numismatics running the gamut of coin collection and contributing, incrementally, to increasing the body of knowledge. D.W. Lange, as you may have heard, has similarly been laid low by cancer. A stalwart, NGC mainstay, he is deserving of every consideration if only the membership knew what to do beyond PMg him with assurances he remains in our thoughts. You understand.

[Duplicate post deleted]

Valid point! I am going to have a talk with Hog and see if he can see his way clear to installing some guardrail at some of the weaker points. Right now, I've got to rustle up some grub for me and Ricky. If you see Alex [from Alaska] in your inter-forum travels, tell him Q sends his regards, the place has quietened down a might, and he, too, is welcome to join in on the festivities. We'll even leave the light on for him.

Why wasn't North Korea invited? I'd've liked to hear some Point - Counterpoint stuff. Surely, they can suspend the rocket launches and saber-rattling for one day.

Never said he decided to stay; I only hinted broadly that he isn't "leaving," and in point of fact----let me up the ante here a smidge-----Never Left! Giant difference. At present, his movements, his very presence, is imperceptible. He is lurking about.

To what do you attribute the quivering and vibration? Is that a 1 over 1? I know... Back on Track!

Now this is exceedingly rare! Do I detect an attempt to co-sign, i.e., endorse my made-up term? No offense to Hog, but I go the whole hog: I call 'em "High Wires." As long as nobody calls me late for dinner, who cares?

He is not "leaving." I made a remark clearly alluding to Mark and he took offense, but having belittled me for breaking my promise for re-entering the fray on the CAC thread----in which he stated unlike me, he "keeps his promises and would not return" (at least not on that thread) as noted elsewhere, I exploited the loophole and baldly stated he was bluffing, and wouldn't you know it, he cleverly jumped down my throat in a rather pointed PM! Now, he's a pro, but it's all good! Unlike NYC where disputes are settled with finality, here we get to come back and play another day. Do not for one minute believe Oldhoop ain't monitoring this Forum. If circumstances dictate, he will jump in much like the way he bumrushed my thread, excusing himself hurriedly in the process to post pix of his son slam-dunkin' basketballs [I still believe to be impossible to get one's hands around regardless of size]. Man, I love this place! Don't worry, Eagle, you'll get the hang of it. Do not follow Ricky. He is a rascal but a rogue Rooster!

Unbeknownst to all but the world coin collector, France, the United States, England, Germany, Italy and Spain each have their own grading standard. And the euro is the common currency used. To answer your question: B (beau) G-06 to F-14; TB (Tres beau) F-15 to VF-39; TTB (Tres tres Beau) XF-40 to AU-54; SUP (Superbe) AU-55 to MS-62; SPL (Splendide) MS-63 & MS-64; FDC (Fleur de Coin) MS-65 to MS-70; BE (Belle Epreuve) PROOF. There is also a BU (Brillant Universal) Brilliant Uncirculated, but it is not clear why it follows PROOF on the Table of Grading Standards. PROOF is PROOF. It is not further distinguished. Take another look at FDC, above. You sure you want to collect gold roosters? Imagine ordering an FDC like I did, submitting it for a cross-grade, and having it presented in a lovely slab bestowed with the label MS-64+. [Note: You're lucky, Eagle. If you'd've asked Oldhoop this question, he'd've directed you politely to go look it up yourself!]

GENI would not be included if it were not current. I was tempted to acquire one for the novelty, but sanity prevailed. It was bad enough I had to choose between PCGS and NGC and wound up accepting both for their respective Set Registries. A GENI, I am sorry to say, would necessitate a cross-grade. For those of you who don't know, World Gold Coins encapsulated in diverse holders are not (and may not ever be) universally accepted, interchangeably on Set Registries owing to extant laws on miscegenation.

That would be akin to characterizing any TPGS with a similar pejorative appellation. MA-SHOPS, a consortium of coin concerns (as you know) is a highly-regarded concern overseas and cgb.fr is but a boutique in their portfolio. Besides, the full-color, high-quality catalog I just received is the very latest.

My unexpurgated thoughts... in my mind's eye, I see the immediate utility of the results of this tremendous undertaking appealing to the upper, upper crust of the entire universe of coin enthusiasts placing it squarely at the door marked: "INVESTORS," constituting 1/10 of 1% of all hobbyists. (My estimate wholly unsupported by any substantive evidence.) This is a die study of proof coins, nay, cameo proof coins, nay, known cameo proof coins----and the die pairs based on PCGS and NGC certifications. A microscopic niche if ever there was one... The Guide's intention: to serve as a deterrent to counterfeiters. This begs the question would counterfeiters devote time and resources to high-end coins which have traditionally remained under the withering scrutiny and now digital radar of practiced numismatists since time immemorial? I am in accord with the majority opinion which maintains the raw merchandise out there, greatly exceeds the number of coins of all series that have been formally authenticated, certified and encapsulated. But could anyone reasonably assert the same is true for end-zone proofs? There is a difference between proofs unaccounted for and those there is a reasonable expectation shall be discovered in due course. In the end, the inevitable question will be posed: How many coins are we talking about, in total, here? Before we can venture a guess, we are reminded that this gargantuan project pertains only to dies that produced cameos for a "one use cycle." I tell you, FlyingAl, if I were not encumbered with the irrevocable responsibility of caring for my aging wife, I would, without hesitation, volunteer to be your right-hand First Assistant. I am incapable of processing the ins and outs of your massive undertaking, but I am capable of following orders. Just ask the mods. I am taking the liberty, heretofore unprecedented, of preemptively awarding you Five Roosters, my highest rating. 🐓 🐓 🐓 🐓 🐓

With apologies to the OP... 🐓: I don't believe there would be anything of interest to you in this post, Q, the latest by FlyingAl. Q.A.: Why would you say that? 🐓: Because it's nuts-and-bolts technical, a good read, and thoroughly educational. 👍

[The "High-Wire" jammies are my personal favorites. True, Roger was disinclined to accept my made-up term, but that's life. You win some; you lose some.]

[To re-cap, per your Chat Board bio, your butt's in true-blue 'bama, but your mind continues to dwell in crimson PA... As a practical matter, minus the roadside stands you're partial to up North, it seems you've transitioned succesfully.]

Moving right along. I don't wish to belabor any of the bad news emanating from the crypto quarter as of late, but here's the latest, in substance... Embattled Crypto Exchange FTX Files for Bankruptcy. Some key snippets... The announcement capped a stunning week that upended crypto markets and has sent shock waves through the crypto industry.... The announcement completed a remarkable fall for FTX's 30-year-old founder, Sam Bankman-Fried... considered one of the wisest and most powerful figures in the crypto industry... FTX collapsed this week after a three-day run on deposits... FTX's collapse has destabilized the crypto industry which was already reeling from a crash in the spring that drained $1 trillion from the market. [Gloating emphasis mine.] The prices of the leading cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Ether, have plummeted... Here's the upbeat ending as appended by the writer of this "rolling" obituary. (yes GF1969, I "borrowed" that term from you.): "This is a developing story. Check back for updates." Entirely gratuitous, editorial comment: To those who've pooh-poohed as beyond amateurish, my maintaining my savings in USPS money orders... Breaking News! I still have my money! What have these crypto guys got? Bupkis, that's what!