Henri Charriere

Do you recall that time, in an on-site report posted from Rosemont--not this year, but last, you inexplicably blurted out, in two posts, in substance, I hope gold drops and I hope silver drops? Your wish appears to have been accommodated. The upside is, what goes down, Down, DOWN, must come back up--and may even exceed the most optimistic of expectations!

@ShinyObjects: Granted, answering my one-off query may affect your credibility and reputation on the Forum, but there is an app for that: PM. If not an imposition, I should appreciate your confirming the flip with descriptors written in red, a few posts up, emanates from a seller based in Berkeley, CA. I recognize the printing! Would you happen to remember from whom you had acquired that flip from?

I don't believe you are aware just how much our current coinage, as presently constituted, has wreaked havoc in the market place. And now you suggest the minting of silver dollars that are barely the size of nickels! Do you remember the last time silver dollars the size of quarters were introduced? To the functional illiterate, size matters. So much so, that when you attempt to introduce a small coin worth more, you run into problems with acceptance. My reply, as always, was meant tongue-in-cheek. But there are places where peculiar characteristics of coinage, and currency too, for that matter don't fly over well. The Mint only becomes aware of it when hoards of coins that were not received well, begin to stagnate.

I don't believe you are aware just how much our current coinage, as presently constituted, has wreaked havoc in the market place. And now you suggest the minting of silver dollars that are barely the size of nickels! Do you remember the last time silver dollars the size of quarters were introduced? To the functional illiterate, size matters. So much so, that when you attempt to introduce a small coin worth more, you run into problems with acceptance. My reply, as always, was meant tongue-in-cheek. But there are places where peculiar characteristics of coinage, and currency too, for that matter don't fly over well. The Mint only becomes aware of it when hoards of coins that were not received well, begin to stagnate.

Of course I knew! And yes, they were both '64's. Any claim Q.A. is strictly a hoarder and nothing else, is more than a great exaggeration. It is a bald-faced, d*a*m*n*a*b*l*e lie!

Even the novice numismatist is sitting there shaking his head: "fat chance."

How can it? This was an altered 1999. (Couldn't help myself. Carry on!)

Good thing they stopped making cartwheels. If they'd've continued, to the present time, me thinks they would reek of worthlessness.

Not for nothing, but not for one second do I believe the veracity of your claim these--or any of the previous coins you've posted, were found in a magical waterfall [you call a dump] only you have exclusive access to in the Twilight Zone. Does this mean we can still be friends? Absolutely! I am merely stating my biased opinion in the absence of facts.

Nonetheless, there are viewers who are knowingly clucking: "This CJ is a legend in his own mind." Hard to believe the entire finicky Forum turned against me, in an eyeblink, for sticking up for some little guy. I love everybody regardless of religious proclivities. 🐓

Not at all. I have a case of cataracteritis, and even I can see it's a coin pierced with an errant bullet. [I'd bet Stevie Wonder could see that!] 🐓

My reference to Berkeley was misdirected to you. Attn: @ShinyObjects do you remember from whom you obtained that flip festooned with red-inked descriptors. With regard to "don't look," regrettably, I was punked i/f/o a large studio audience: N.G.C's membership. (Translation: I looked!)

I just realized I have not experienced any delivery debacle because I live in New York, a crowded city. [So, "what's the sto-ry Mau-ry?] Well, delivery here is an interactive, collective effort. A sticker advising the recipient to re-schedule the delivery--or pick the parcel up at a local office, is usually a last resort where creative thinking has failed. Delivery services have options: informing you the package was left with a neighbor, or, if a business, the business next door, and advising you accordingly, in a brief note. YEAH, BUT WEREN'T YOU THE SAME GUY WHOSE OVERSEAS PACKAGE WAS DETAINED AT EWR? I am. But that is not germane to this comment. That was a kidnapping for ransom. Rightly or wrongly, I paid it, CBP was gratified--and FedEx promptly billed me $33. I did not ask them to itemize. The best suggestion I can make is, using a bold black marker, make a sign and tape it to your door--(No, pencil will not do)--explaining briefly, to whom or to what business, you wish to have the package directed: Next door, Up a flight, Across the street, etc., and leave your name and number. For argument's sake, let's say FedEx has lowered their hiring requirements and I [Q.A.] am a FedEx delivery man. Put yourself in my shoes. No one answers my knock or bell. I need a signature. What do you want me to do? A sign taped to your door or house will let me know.

This is the first time I recall a member submitting his coins for the membership's approval and envy, accompanied by orders! Okay, I won't look, but I should like to make an intemperate observation: that Standing Liberty appears to be Walking.

I don't view it as desecration or a graffito. Other members may beg to differ. This, to me, is a calling card from the past rendered with a lovely flourish reminiscent of fine calligraphy.

Oh, for Chris'sakes! Don't make me have to check my records and receipts! Berkeley, yes, or no? I was afflicted with a case of Roosteritis during recovery in my home after hip re-replacement surgery, I believe three years back. Truth be told, the very first gold coin I acquired was a--hold on while I reach for it in a slotted slab box--here it is: a 1904 Venezuelan 20 Bolivar coin, I bought raw, for no other reason than because it features a horse glancing backward within the crest on the reverse. Then I discovered roosters... and TPGS, and submitted everything for authentication and grading. [The Venezuelan coin, touted as Brilliant Unc., or some such, was returned as an AU58.] BR, i.e., "Before Roosters," I was a normal, civilized human being who collected coins from change (much like you do) proof sets, mint sets and odds and ends of interest. Against the edicts of the numismatic fraternity, I absconded from collecting after silver was removed from coins. No more Morgans from the bank. Nothing. I only resumed collecting after I spotted my first rooster. I collect whatever moves me. I just forwarded my sister one of those 5-oz. quarters. She was immediately smitten. Now I am retired. The Rooster run is over. That, in a nutshell, is the truth, the whole truth, etc.

@ShinyObjects: Galloping thread... Let's see now, the CC dollar. GSA. Discovered in a vault in 1964, not released until 1972. An eight-year gap. Hmm. The 1873 dollar. Exquisite, and my attention was drawn to that autograph on the obverse. I read somewhere that collectors like that personal touch. I do, too. Mighty fine halves you've got there! And thanks for sharing them!

I recognize the writing on this. Some guy out west, maybe California. San Franisco, possibly. Oh wait, wait, Berkeley, right? He has a strong position against paper. I forget his name; I may even have the flip.

Took the words right out of my mouth!

I would not know whether they know or not, but one of the last stories I heard on TV (before I pulled the plug on the cable) was a presentation on the descendants of slaves that had unwittingly bought a house on a plantation that was worked by their ancestors. They even interviewed the descendants of the family who owned the former plantation. I think it safe to assume the records, possibly moldering somewhere, are there waiting for enquiring minds so disposed, to discover.

I knew, but the fact of the matter is, one can insist, "Never Again," again and again, and history will continue to repeat itself. I have lived long enough to know the phrase, oft-used, "to make sure "this" never happens again," is wishful thinking. Not only will things happen again, subject to all the permutations and combinations wrought by time, but they will be much greater, stronger and, as always, "without precedent."

It's being billed as the Third Great Dollar Earthquake. The first was Roosevelt confiscating private gold in 1934. The second was Nixon abandoning the gold standard in 1971. "Now Biden's plan could pave the way for "retiring" the U.S.D." But what exactly does that mean? Paradigm Press is the source of the information, but are they recognized, reputable and reliable? I am not sure what to make of this. Anybody? Enquiring minds would like to know.

@CoinJockey73: There is no right way or wrong way. If you become aware a coin has value, you house it accordingly. [Word has it some rate authentication and certification!] I have loose, raw coins, jostling each other in a kitchen drawer.

@Zebo: Hmm, and I always thought @coinsandmedals was male. Interesting!

[Fractional currency shields... never heard of them. Slomin's shield, yes, F.C.S., no. I think it well past time I picked up a book. As always, your contributions to "the body of knowledge" are interesting and priceless.]