Henri Charriere

🐓 🐓 🐓 🐓 🐓

I have always maintained the only acceptable comparison made would be to post this photo alongside a well-struck UNC which gives the average viewer exactly what one should look like as compared with what one actually sees. One needs a point of reference and baseline knowledge of this series' hight points. There are three things I find puzzling: the area about the cheekbone, the weak lettering in LIBERTY and the headdress feathers which lack definition. Forget the verdigris, is there even a hint of original mint luster to be found in any area of the coin? I may be a certified rank amateur, but to me an uncirculated coin means just that. I hesitate to see what the reverse looks like. Unable to Like in good conscience, no need to BUMP. I'll take a hike.

A few years ago, a gentleman from a foreign land won a MAJOR lottery here and was told he had to mail his winning ticket to the state capital which he did, placing it in an envelophe with the appropriate address and postage... but not mailing it certified, RRR, registered or insured. The fact that he had won was not newsworthy, but his cavalier attitude and absolute trust and faith in the mails was front-page news. Everyone I know thought it to be hilarious. "Who does that"? Today, I emulated his move and raised the stakes. After getting a notification from HA that items which matched my 🐓 want list were coming up for auction, I felt exactly the way any collector of top pops would feel if he eagerly sped thru 15 items only to find they were akin to "parking lot" finds. Apparently, someone who became disenchanted with his Set Registry had dismantled it and was in the process of selling it. [Tellingly, none were the harder-to-find "Originals."] I had listed my interests with specificity and I felt as though someone with a long memory smacked his head, and declared: "Send those pix to that Rooster guy up in New York." Then I re-read the topic regarding hitting the "upgrade wall". Nothing new, not in weeks or months -- but years. In another thread, uncle z made a perspicacious comment bespeaking great familiarity if not experience. In an off-beat comment, I confided I had gotten so disgusted with my forced inertia, I entertained the thought of starting a "kid brother" 10 francs gold rooster set. In so many words, z suggested it would not be easy. Today, I did something impulsively: I sent money thru the mail. Some of you would say, "So what? That's an every day thing." Allow me to elaborate. I took a greeting card, addressed it to a specific person I never saw, spoke to, or wrote to, placed twenty crisp benjamins in it, sealed it as one normal would, and handed it to a postal clerk. She threw it on a scale and listed my options on a reader. I told her No, no hazardous materials, etc. I rejected all the other options (which were prohibitively expensive and might have attracted unwanted attention, "Who registers or insures a greeting card?" and paid her $2.80 (for a letter/greeting card being flown Air Mail) that weighed all of 1.40 oz., and left. To avoid a stampede to the www, I will volunteer only the coin I "ordered" was struck as a pattern on a hexagonal planchet. It is, by the description furnished, unlisted and unpublished.... UNIQUE. I do not know if it will reach its destination. I marked it: PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL and followed it up with an email informing the recipient only that I have ordered it and, on principle, refused to use eBay, its notorious counterpart, PayPal, credit card or a bank wire transfer. The number of things that can go wrong is legion. Indeterminate. Right? I threw all caution to the wind. (If I'd've told my wife, I wonder what she'd've said) My question to you. gentle reader, is: WOULD YOU DO THE SAME? If not, WHAT'S YOUR LIMIT? Bear in mind, all of us use the mails to buy and sell coins, currency, bars and collectibles WITH SOME MEASURE OF PROTECTION. This is an experiment in progress. I will not know the outcome even if receipt of my order is confirmed. I know you could. My question is would you, and if you have, what was the outcome? (It is perfectly understandable if you have sworn to the zadokian oath of silence.) I will include one exception: a major TPGS (as indicated in another unrelated thread, makes cash remittance its first option, checking the box off as directed. Forget the money involved. Would you exercise that option? I did, but it was a sizeable fraction of the $2,000 involved here. I am going to assume the outcome here will be ideal. But if you have an interesting tale to share, feel free to do so here. Withhold sensitive details as you wish. Good nite all!

okay... only five months. Stick around and see what happens... Hey wait, did you say "competitive" sets? No-o-o, that changes e-ve-ry-thing. If I am not mistaken, you should investigate "custom" sets, where anything goes and if I should be sadly mistaken, the nice lady will let us both know... Bet? 🤣

@Sandon : ?

Be my guest.

[No comment]

I would have suggested there do appear to be anomalies, but your cultivated tongue sounds so much better than my default gutter lingo.

AU-59. FIRM. MS-60? Sorry, my friend! I interpret the "shaded" fields as representing the dreaded numismatic, by whatever fanciful term used, as wear. There may be members who may suggest magic potions that will dissolve it, but the evidence of "original mint luster" which was captured by the slightly raised rim only serves to emphasize what the coin once looked like moments after being struck, and a liquid bath will eradicate it. Note: if any of the distinguished seasoned members on this Forum drawing on their many fine years of experience contradict my conjecture with firm confident assertions -- beginning with the mythical grade I assigned your piece -- I would strongly urge you to acquiesce to them.

Q.A. WHY, I NEVER... IN ALL MY YEARS OF PRODUCTIVITY... What an ingrate! Just for that, JUST FOR THAT, I am going to send in my dues, and re-re-re-re-re-subscribe -- I already have new User Name picked out -- and I and my trusty side-kick, Ricky (no name change required) will once again resume our "We're on a Mission from God" duties: primarily broadening "the body of knowledge" of coin collecting, and enlightening Newbies to the ins and outs of the hobby -- even revealing, for the very first time in Chat Board history, the secret location of the "back door" for seamless entry and exits. What do you say? 🐓: With all due respect, boss... I can't believe he punked us with that "... all in time... all in time..." jabberwocky! It was all a ruse! Very clever!

To preserve the sanctity of this thread, my reply to your conjecture may be found in "Unsolicited Comments."

@zadok : DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE. SUPPORT. (Certified Collectibles Group) CCG # 455386 HERE'S A REMINDER OF WHAT THE INQUIRY WAS ABOUT; SUBJECT: SUBSCRIPTION CANCELLATION WITH AGENT -Julia J. While there will be those who will revel in my adversity, I should like to make clear that tho I have been termed an inveterate, habitual, compulsive, pathological, and congentital liar, at one time or another, a fairer more accurate descriptor would be a strategic liar. The members from whom gifts were received from me, unsolicited, no pro quid pro, 🤣 could vouch for that irrespective of the strength of any of their views under the sun, I never allowed that to influence my decision. One even called me "a great man"! I will be back. Dena will hear my feeble knock at the door. You know you're getting old and bored when you want to acquire things you know nothing about because you're tired of waiting for what you really want [need] to show up. It'll also give the moderators a much-needed break. -Henri Charriere a/k/a Quintus Arrius and Ricky 🐓

Note: officially; "San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge." [Edit: the "Golden Gate" was still under construction and was formally opened in 1937.]

Q.A.: I understand you solved a mystery that's been dogging me for the past five years! Every source I have consulted said the composition of F20F GRs, "original" and "restrike" is comprised of the same exact composition; 90% gold and 10% copper. Your research indicates otherwise! 🐓: Correctamundo! Allow me to add a few facts. "In 1905, the law separating church and state was passed. The change in legislation led to a change in the motto on the edge of the 20-Francs Maranne Coq coin in 1907 "Dieu Protege la France" ("God Protect France") was replaced by ("Liberte, equalite, fraternite"). In addition, the label wreath was replaced by an oak branch as if to anchor the power of a strong state. "In terms of size and weight, the Marianne Coq 20-Francs coin is based on the standard 20-Francs coin created by Napoleon I. It weighs 6.45 grams, is 90% pure gold, i.e., a fine gold weight of 5.81 g. with a diameter of 21 millimeters and a thickness of 1.25 mm. (Now we come to the fresh information, dug up by Ricky, an inquisitive Rooster if ever there was one...) The "refrappes Pinay" "The Marianne Coq coin is also historically exceptional, as it was melted again between 1951 and 1960 in what is known [locally] as the Pinay re-strike. "In 1948, at the end of the Second World War, gold stocks had been melted down or lost, and coins were badly damaged or cropped. The Banque de France decided to reopen the gold market to revitalize the economy. To do so, it restruck the popular coin that symbolized strong power: the Marianne Coq. "The original dies were used and earlier engraved images were reused. Between 1950 and 1960, 37 million 20 francs Marianne Coq gold coins were re-engraved dating from 1907 to 1914. "How to recognize them? In theory, it is difficult to tell the difference berween Pinay refrappes and originals. However, most of them are in excellent condition, having never been in circulation. As the machines used for minting are not the same, more precise details can be seen on the Pinay refrapees. Finally, a mass spectrometer analysis reveals a slightly different metallic composition between the origInal 20 francs coq and the refrappes. On average the original coins contain 902.63 thousands of gold compared with 900.39 thousandths of gold for the refrapees. This results in hue and a slightly more coppery color. (Emphases in bold, throughout, are mine.) Q.A. Great job! Before you run off on your next project...any References? 🐓 : Yes. Thomas Numismatics (which lists the five sources they relied on on their website: thomasnumismatics.com (Posted with the express cooperation and patience of NGC Moderation which retains the right to edit or delete this post as it sees fit, at their discretion.)

As a member, I wanted you to know that for those of who cannot indulge in your pursuits, just how much we appreciate living through your experiences vicariously. There are those of us who really look forward to receiving your latest on-site reporting. It's an awful lot of work and I truly believe you've outdone yourself this time. P.S. Thanks for including Penny in your itinerary. She is truly gorgeous.

A great deal of Thread-Bumping going on... but why? Ascension is automatic. As members respond, the latest threads fall. At any given time, four or five are exempt; they remain at the top. I guess I am not ashamed to admit I was astounded by not only how well-written they were -- inoffensive really -- but also the author's tactic of arising early and hammering them all out... simultaneously. I believe there were five. Had nothing been done (or Just Bob were up early tinkering with his tokens) none would have been the wiser. I had come across them after Ricky informed me the High Court handed down a decision in the Tarawa silver case. [Last I checked, that Topic had fallen off page one.] By that time, five or six in the morning, dozens of viewers had seen them. The post was geared to the tiniest segment of the membership. Moderation would have taken care of this. As it is, you've accomplished three things: 1. Re-revived a Topic that was first posted eight years ago, which under VKurtB's Golden Rule on resurrection is verboten and death-penalty eligible; 2. inadvertently denied early birders the opportunity to view a surgical procedure which may have been of interest to members of child-bearing age; and, 3. done something that would have taken care of itself without any intervention. : The other day I tried to access my daily online paper -- and couldn't. It shouted, COOKIES IS DIABLED! and ordered me to enable them!!! I promptly called the Times and canceled my subscription, effective immediately. I got flak from my cell company with flashing notices warning I was off-line and off the internet (despite encountering no difficulties). I marched over to my local dealer, handed him back a modem and a router that they said likely was a lemon. I told them they weren't the only pebble on the beach and I didn't need them or want them anymore. [What really ticked me off was finding out my friend's repeated exhortations that I was paying way too much were correct! My bill dropped precipitously.] Lastly, I canceled my subscription to NGC. A rep called and asked why, since I had two months left, and lied. The truth is more complicated. But, as the Terminator guy once said, I'll be BAHCK!

Calling @Walkerfan ! Calling @Walkerfan ! Come in, @Walkerfan !

A solid Mint State 67

Q.A.: Ha! Ha! Ha! He thought there was plug at the bottom of the. cesspool!!!... 🐓: That's okay... We won!... He acknowledged our very existence!... You can't buy that kind of publicity!... Beats a sad emoji any day of the week!... Ah,... collaboration!

It is this type of unwarranted fear bordering on paranoia that has set back progress in human endeavors forever... Your autobiography, quite frankly, sounds repetitious and boring. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Chief navigator to Columbus: "Maybe we ought not to...That's uncharted territory... We might fall off the edge of the Earth!" "Burn me at the stake! I tell you my observations clearly indicate the Earth revolves around the sun!. But that's heresy!" Young lad: "Is this a copper penny (sic)? Mint Director: "No 1943 cents were authorized for production! Now get away from me kid, you bother me." Coin collectors? What a bunch of milk cows!

No. Stop it! In the interests of broadening the body of knowledge everyone with a piece of the jigsaw puzzle should join in making a truly collaborative effort. I was taught that all through my formal years of schooling. A member inquired about an obscure token used in a correctional institution that had long been decommissioned. I wrote the Michigan Department of Correction directly and, much to my surprise, they had no historical repository -- or for that matter, institutional memory. But the elusive token in unknown numbers is still out there. A leading lawmaker visiting a foreign land, for unexplained reasons, lacked identification with his signature. An aide saved the day with quick thinking, reached into his wallet and pulled out a one-dollar bill with his John Hancock which was accepted without question. When Governor Mario Cuomo arrived at an upstate juvenile institution with an entourage in an official state chopper landing on institutional grounds, most anyone would have admitted him on the strength of the unusual circumstances and instant face recognition. Not the Principal Keeper who demanded to see his ID. The governor was not offended in the least. Professional courtesy must acquiesce to proper procedure.

Q.A. I understand the case of the S.S. TILAWA has finally been resolved. What are the particulars? 🐓 : Indeed it has. On November 23, 1942, the S.S. TILAWA was sunk by Japanese torpedoes in the Indian Ocean off the coast of South Africa. Aboard were 3,000 people (280 of whom perished) along with 2.364 bars of silver which were "irretrievable" until 2017 when they were salvaged by a British exploration company owned by Paul Marshall, a hedge fund leader -- and apparently mired in litigation since. Earlier today, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled in favor of the then Union of South Africa which owned the precious metal which was destined for coinage. The Court did not specify how the $43 million bounty would be divided up by the parties involved. Source: CBS NEWS. Q.A. That's a great story! You've certainly earned your keep. Ever think of becoming our Grand Master's understudy? 🤣 (Posted solely at Moderation's discretion.)

@zadok : Why the sadness? She was Royalty: "Top of the list, Queen of the hill, 'A' number one!" (She was also billed as the world's wealthiest welfare recipient.) Membership has its privileges.

Positively shameful!