Henri Charriere

On the plus side, NGC, sotto voce, indirectly confirmed the coin was genuine. If it were inauthentic, i.e., counterfeit, I do not believe they would, have gratuitously bestowed "altered surface," on it. PMD, notwithstanding, I very much like it. It is a nice old coin.

@RWB: Many thanks for weighing in. I just revisited the ad because I recall reading something which likely only someone acquainted with the year would know about. It read: "They are complete sets with the understandable exception of the 1885 set, which is of course lacking the Trade Dollar." (Italics mine.) If memory serves, the U.S. mint did not begin issuing standard proof "sets" until 1936. Any "set" compiled before that time was an endeavor assumed by the individual collector.

I would not presume to know precisely what an Authenticator's job entails, but hey, what do I know? A gauntlet here has been laid down. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

If any member is interested in a 1869, 1880, 1881 or 1885 Proof Set, you may want to check out the listing (hot off the press) at northeastcoin.com. I am not acquainted with the dialect used, but reference is made to "thick slab gen 4 NGC holders w/CAC stickers."

[For some time now, I have been seeing members trying to assist other members who post their coins with "helpful" feedback re "full steps," the latest being, "some small merging going on," and a reference to the "2nd pillar." Gentleman, though I be woefully deficient in this specific area of knowledge, ol' Quintus, departing from my usual frivolity, has a valid and truly helpful suggestion to make: "Coin Week," in its Sept. 14, 2022 issue, focuses its attention on the "United States 1943-S Jefferson Nickel." For those inclined to broaden their knowledge on the various steps, a photo highlighting this phenomenon is provided, dividing the steps in 4 sections and assigning the formal terms used to refer to the Plinth, Stylobate, Steps and Foundation, with a note indicating the phenomenon is dependent on die condition, striking pressure and incidental contact with other coins. I believe this single source should enable interested members to proceed with confidence in describing exactly what it is they see by utilizing the precise numismatic terminology. Gratuitous comment: never let it be said Q.A. has never made a useful numismatic contribution, in furtherance of the hobby.]

Numistamps? Never heard of them. I think it's time I picked up a book.

Maybe so. I think the melt alone, last I checked, was $300. But again, what the Roostermeister alleges he has is just that. A claim. Nobody has ever come to my door and demanded I substantiate my claim to Set Registry ownership. An honor system exists. But I digress. I like every one of the coins you've displayed and Buffalo Head's photography skills, always top-shelf, are compelling and unsurpassable. IMNSHO.

Congratulations on your most recent catch! I have a 2/0 coin but it's a 🐓 and they don't count.

I recently received a very lovely, colorful, fixed-price catalog of world gold coins, as hereinabove titled, 210 pages, presented in a French/English format. My feeling is coins, irrespective of source, is a universal language and the description and superb photography is all a collector needs to place an order. [The merchandise offerings are set forth in Euros which can easily be converted to dollars, on any cellphone or computer.] I have one copy. If interested, feel free to PM me and I will be delighted to have it wing its way to you, gratis.

Maybe the word was banned.

@Lem E: Still don't quite get it. Must be the yawning generation gap or something. I absolutely love copper!

In the OP's temporary absence, I have found and taken the liberty of re-posting elsewhere, the Administrator's classic post in which she closes by stating, "It stops now." Re: "If you Violate the Guidelines you will be Suspended and Disfellowshipped" or "Excommunicated," or something similar, in substance. It behooves every member to take a look.

@Lem E: Woodies? You're not old enough to remember "Woodies"! Those stationwagons with the wooden trim were referred to universally, as Woodies. If not cars, what were you referring to? 🤔

Not Harlem, EAST Harlem... El Barrio. The silver dollars to which I refer, are the ones released 40 years ago: the Susan B. Anthonys. GRANTED, they were not silver, but neither were the Ikes. [And I didn't say "wrecked." I said "wreaked."] Those regrettably small sized "dollars," mistaken for quarters, wreaked such havoc that the powers that be pulled the plug on them not two years later, if memory serves. And those greasy magnesium Pocahontasi (plural, I guess) were a disaster. Do I know my numismatic history, or what?

I do not recall which of the ground delivery services this is applicable to, but there on the shipping label, was a space providing my correct, cell number. For reasons I will never know, my package was treated like a particle in a cyclotron bouncing between three different offices--my address, East inexplicably changed to West, with a zip code to match--a matter which could have been easily resolved with a single phone call. I would not begrudge NGC for their choice of shipper and a delivery result they ultimately had no control over.

[Did I hear someone say, porch? There it is! Exactly what I had envisioned! Now go and hang up that red shingle!]

This comment illustrates best why even with the internet some may find it difficult, if not impossible, to collect and complete a collection: availability. And that's why I am, and shall likely always remain, a Roostermeister weiner!

I don't know that they do that. When the High Court renders an opinion, that's it. There are no news conferences or late nite talk show appearances. Just the decision seemingly engraved in stone. 🤔

True. We have somehow managed to buy and sell without sarcophagi since the late Paleozoic era.

[The opening post from: "Violate the Guidelines and you will be Suspended or Banned," started by dena, October 23, 2020.] Re-posted as a public service.

[I would rather be somewhere where I am welcomed with open arms.]

[Back on Track? Again? What am I missing? This train is going in reverse?]

@rrantique: I keep forgetting. This is the thread I can post comments on! As always a pristine clean, silver Morgan with an absolutely gorgeous reverse! You've done very well with this one. I for one love all your finds! Keep 'em comin'!

@CoinJockey73: My pride and joy, this thread lying dormant, with a wonderful cast of memorable characters, many no longer with us, has been irretrievably stomped on, shredded and desecrated. What for me had been a labor of love--confined to just this thread long since forsaken--has been reduced to a barren wasteland by interlopers whose motives I seriously question. Any reasonable person can see the OP, apparently detested by some and loved by one, has moved on to other pursuits. How, pray tell, has all come to naught in an eyeblink? There are those who are perfectly capable of accommodating a divergent viewpoint, but steadfastly refuse to. Hard to believe a self-appointed hall monitor can invade a desolate place and issue orders! ORDERS!! A VACATE ORDER, NO LESS!!! My apologies to Dena Skeffington. I am hereby relinquishing whatever claim I believed I had in excavating this thread and sharing my finds with the few interested members who understand me and the significance of my "discovery." I am abandoning this thread forthwith and sincerely apologize to all members for the unintended distraction. @CoinJockey73: I am moving my base of operations to your thread with the topic title paying homage to a bonafide certified numismatist. I may even take you up on your offer to share my treasures with you. I bid all a good nite and a good-nite to all! 🐓

[I am going to check the latest edition of the DSM-5. There is a formal name for this intransigence.]