Henri Charriere

TIME CAPSULE FOR THE BENEFIT OF FUTURE ARCHAEOLOGISTS... This awesome thread featuring a spirited display of camaraderie amongst members at its best, had its genesis in one of most contentious threads devised by man: "Outta here," begun Sunday, 11/6/2022. [By law, I am not permitted to utter the author's name.] In any event, the following day, Monday, 11/7, member z, an outstanding numismatist in his own right, evidently inspired and uncharacteristically exuberant, suggested someone start a thread along the lines of, "how did u begin in the numismatic hobby n why do u collect what u collect." Member Hog,' not twelve minutes later took him up on his idea, seized the initiative, and began this thread. In only three days, it has garnered a mind-boggling 75 posts and managed to elicit replies from members we rarely hear from. Three reviews: "So shall it be written, so shall it be done." -Rameses. "And that's a good thing." -Martha Stewart. "Man, I love this place!" -Q.A. [Editorial note: if this comment seems to be out-of-sync, it is. It was originally posted to the "What do you collect?" topic presided over by the incomparable Hog' (and magically migrated to this thread.] It's all good!

🐓: You want to tell him, or shall I? Q.A.: I'll give it a shot: all this pfenning stuff aside, you will forgive me if I say J.F.'s smile is not worth doing 40 years over, no way no how. Now good luck with that coin you spent one cent for, that you're now ready, willing and able to spend upwards of another ten thousand cents for.

🐓 : You need a new nickname, Q! How's "Bucky," short for "Buck up," sound? Q.A.: Just fine. [Sheesh!]

@VKurtB : With the exception of the reference to cats, which I order stricken from the soliloquy, with cause, I find the rest of the content to be illuminating as always.

The only "tragicomedy" is the rapidity of the events which unfolded prompting the posting of this thread----which few observers save me who having instigated it [inadvertently, of course ] had a front-row seat. I was directing a remark I had made regarding the sudden departure of a member who had beaten a hasty retreat, to Ricky my trusty sidekick. The observation I made, in an oblique reply to the gentleman who authored this thread was all of two lines. Ricky asked what my thoughts were regarding the member who departed. DIRECTING MY REMARK TO RICKY, I said I did not believe it. The member who departed plainly stated he would not revisit that thread again, and added that unlike me, he "keeps his promises." Taking my cue from that irresistible loophole, I scoffed at his assertion----and left with no alternative, he cleverly gained the upper hand and promptly PM'd me. The OP took umbrage and quickly dispatched the current thread. Now, regardless what others may think, I did the only thing a responsible member could do. I apologized to he who was offended and took down the "offensive" posts, and a few more for added measure. I felt Dena's presence behind me the whole time.

Post deleted.

This may come as a surprise to some, but it is precisely the brashness and boisterousness of which you speak that members look forward to when they sign in. He is a constant, a presence with predictability, that members find comforting. Who else has the unmitigated gall to come right out, and say, when challenged: "I'd rather be right, than nice." Who else deftly slips a selfie into the mix at a national coin show with the unabashed observation: "This is Me!" All of what you say may very well be true, but this is one member who will be sorely missed when he is gone. Nobody has his bluster. Sure you've got a guy [***** -footing around with his Rooster, but how does that compare to The Real Thing who speaks his mind and lets the chips fall where they may? He has managed to weather all the storms thrown his way. I daresay there are folks across the street still wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth, at his, and not a few others' departures." And then there's the im-mu-ni-ty!... Priceless!

🐓: Looks like at least one person is back in your corner! Q.A.: Muchos gracias, Mark! Everyone knows you're a consummate gentleman and a good sport!

How is this fair? I see neither "die cracks" nor their close cousins, "proof die cracks," listed here. Suppose, independent of coins altogether, they outperformed all the stuff you've got charted here? Just joshin' you here!

As one of those clowns 🤡 of which you so eloquently speak, I appreciate your regimented analysis and elaboration. Now I can add "Gold Expert" to my resume.

If that be true, why the "nervousness"? What's there to be concerned about? Why hasn't he made a triumphant comeback? Enquiring minds want to know.

True, but non-cryto, Elon Musk is worth $200 billion. The $800 billion dollar loss he suffered? No matter. Just charge users a nominal fee. Nice.

Dem's the luck of the draw. I declined to return it and, observing Q.A.'s inviolate Rule #1, refused to crack it out and resubmit it. As the sprightly, "Oh"----a legend in his own time once observed, education can be costly. It comes with the territory...

In essence this is true. folks can afford to take chances. I suspect the volatility of crypto appeals to their senses. Older people, and living fossils like me, tend to stick to more conservative investments. [One of the more interesting trends I have stumbled across is the revelation that the newer, younger generations have little interest in heirloom furniture. I suspect that is because they are far more mobile than their parents.] Getting back to the OP's question: my best advice is choose fewer pieces with greater value. A 1933 double eagle speaks for itself and needs no introduction.

As a public service, I am going to address the matter of "Sealed Gold Vault Bricks" loaded with "State Gold Bank Rolls" as advertised recently in full-page ads by the NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, LLC (the latter suffix of which, in this case refers to Low Life Criminals, for the smooth approach they take in hood-winking people).

Yes, diameter. Wow! I expected you to say, "Yeah, of course, they're all the same. They're 5-cent/half-dime pieces." Certainly, the Shield and V-nickels ought to have been the same. Just now, prompted by your reply, I searched for the date vending machines were introduced in the U.S. The answer: 1888 in those small narrow gum machines first installed on elevated stations (which pre-dated the NYC subway system which dates to 1904. It appears both the V-nickel and Jefferson nickel (excluding the wartime years, why I do not know) share a common diameter: 21.2 mm. Thanks.

As a matter of fact, yes! It was jarring and made me think back to the time I ordered an FDC [65-70] raw, hoping it would be a 66, but it was adjudged to be a 64+. Would they have accepted a return? Indubitably! But international returns are never routine and entail risk. I kept it.

There is one promise I never had difficulty keeping. Strolling thru Grand Central back in the 1970's, observing scores of people fixated on moving tapes with letters and numbers, I mused to myself, "I'll never be like them." I have never paid much attention to price. What goes up must come down, and vice versa. It seems to me, right now may be a good time to buy if the availability is there.

Is there a standard width size for these coins, and if so, what is it and what year does it date back to?

@VKurtB: THE RULES, INVIOLATE, OF QUINTUS ARRIUS... Rule #1 - Thou shalt not crack-out a coin. Rule #2 - Thou shalt not break up any Proof Set, issued as such. Rule #3 - Thou shalt not break up a "Collection" painstakingly put together over a lifetime. As with most rules, there are exceptions. For example, a short series may be broken up; Collections may not. Proof Sets issued in boxes with glassine sleeves dated circa the 1950's, may be broken up and encapsulated in the interests of conservation. ON ENCAPSULATIONS... A good coin sells itself; a good encapsulation eliminates extraneous conversation. An encapsulated coin takes authentication and certification to its natural conclusion. The only question left is, How much?

FWIW... talking about standards, I spotted an ad with the grade, FDC-66. I feel this can only be a direct response to undeniable collector demand.

And to think there are people (even some who've weighed in on this thread) who swear by the concept and explain it in cryptospeak.

Fine, that'll be $299 plus the shipping. All or none.