Henri Charriere

I will take this for the compliment it was meant as.

🐓: Say Q, do you have any idea what they're talking about? Q.A.: Of course not... ignorance is bliss. Gold Standard or not, the Rooster clan, of which you are a charter member, is getting close to twice what I paid for 'em. One more thing, I never heard from HA in all the years I've been here. THEN THE MOMENT OF DREAD ARRIVED! Literally hundreds of lots were being auctioned. Sad to say, HA's Want List is a lot worse than MA SHOPS. Seems a lot of folks are tryin' to git, while the gittins good. 'specially now that gold is high. Only problem is I made my intentions crystal clear. What I got for my trouble was page after page of unrelated series and denominations and the Roosters, while Mint State, were all bottom of the barrel: 62s 63s 64s... Is this thing on? Hey Kurt, do you suppose my heart could stand the initial 60-mph drop and twist and turns of the Coney Island roller coaster? It's not even summer and I'm bored. Oh sheesh! Goldfinger! Sorry 'bout that. Carry on, gentlemen!

I am going to insist his remark was taken out of context or he was not quoted in totality. Preservation is EVERYTHING! It accentuates EVERYTHING! Disagreeing with someone based on something someone else reported he said in relevant part without giving anyone here a precise quote, or even a chance to "s'plain" himself, smacks of un-Americanism. Not exactly analogous to the matter at hand but a bridge token was posted on this Forum recently that was so corroded, the owner enlisted the membership for assistance in identifying it. To the Forum's credit, two members were able to decipher the virtual hieroglyphics. (Nobody accused either of practicing numismatics without a license.) Strong strike, original mint luster, and color are irrelevant in cases like that. I repeat: IRRELEVANT! PRESERVATION IS KEY AND CONTROLLING. Not all grading characteristics are relevant in every case. I do not and cannot allow anyone to dictate how any member is received or treated by the membership. I don't need an open or concealed carry permit. Getting along with Roger is easy. Just don't mention Breen or Penny in his presence.

I cannot remember the last time I actually used a coin. Hot dog carts (food carts generally) you local hardware store, rent collecting, banks, museums. cable companies, commuter rail systems, grocery stores, with the advent of SNAP and loss of food stamps, Social Security (for the most part) theaters, parking meters (which have switched to cards or receipts) laundromats which have switched to cards, toll collections which have been abolished in favor of swipe cards and EZ- passes, it won't be long before coins, tokens and currency fall into disuse. About the only business that accepts cash on the money side of the equation is PCGS -- and yes, I used that option. (I am sorry to report a concern that fabricated copper bars and Prison Life magazine are the only two concerns that went on the lam with my cash money. I dodged a bullet with Northwest Territorial Mint, but who can blame them? At the time spot silver was in a free-fall.) With respect to PCGS, I figured if you can't trust a TPGS that handles priceless coin relics daily, whom can you trust?

The Rules regarding membership and the privileges accorded each, are evolving. My understanding, with respect to NGC only (which I learned the hard way, is: a). Whether you be a Lurker (or the more socially-acceptable, Guest) you must be a paid member if you wish to leave a comment. ("Visiting dignitaries" may participate with a referral made as a polite inquiry made to management.) b). As regarding the Set Registry, not all details are accessible to all viewers. It takes but a single coin to start one of your own and membership, apparently, is not a prerequisite. Both the numbers of members and set registrants are known, but as was made clearly recently, death does not result in disenrollment. Those disinclined from participating in the Chat Board are not listed and cannot be contacted. Many members have disengaged from active participation in the coin collecting community. Many set registrants do not wish to be contacted and [on PCGS' Set Registry, many members block anyone from viewing their sets! Their sets are not public.] Obviously, this prevents nosy members like me from getting an accurate measure of my standing with respect to the competition I face. I believe I am the most transparent of members as regarding my collection, and accessibility but can appreciate the concerns others may have for their holdings. To each his own. Note: if I am mistaken in any assumption I've made, feel free to correct me. (Posted at the discretion of Moderation.)

Well, to be philosophical about this, eliminate the state of preservation and you pretty much not need not bother with the rest. Some feel toning should be considered. Shall we ostracize them? I believe one of our presidents of the U.S. effected carnal knowledge with his slave. Shall we melt all his nickels down? Zsa Zsa Gabor slapped a police officer in the face, obstructed governmental administration and paid a hefy price for her intransigence. Shall we all collectively burn Roger at the stake for emphasizing preservation and have him burnt at the stake for simply suggesting the Earth revolves around the sun? It's too bad I am merely a schlub, because I do have strong feelings about a number of things which, luckily for me, cannot be expressed on this Forum. 🤣

Is this place great, or what? Man, I love this place! 🤣

🐓: Makes you wish you'd've kept your big mouth shut, doesn't it? Q.A.: To quote Stan Laurel: "It most certainly does." That was the secret of Kurt's illustrious legislative success: dispense with the heretics and zero in on the one thing that's sure to make short work of all the scholarship. Now, if we manage to elicit one sad emoji from z, our humiliation will be complete. 🐓 : Here, let me wipe all that egg off your face.

@VKurtB : Two surprises... you guys can afford, ahem, c-o-f-f-e-e??? (I Refuse to buy water!) No way I'm going to pay money for water. Can any of you armchair experts explain why every plastic water bottle, irrespective of brand or water source, is imprinted with an EXPIRATION DATE? Now on to the matter at hand... As far as I am concerned, i do not subscribe to the herd instinct and, if I read Roger right, neither does he. I like independent thinkers and their thoughts. Free thinkers expressing free thoughts. Case in point: I will not prolong the matter involving theories between science, heliocentrism and charges of heresy brought against those who simply expressed their belief that the planets revolved about the sun resulting in actions taken against Nicolaus Copernicus (who died in 1543); Giordano Bruno who dared suggest Earth moves around the sun and the first to propose that the universe is infinite (executed/death by burning February 17, 1600; and Galileo Galilei who persisted in defying church authorities' edicts against heretical thinking and was also burned alive only weeks later. In another thread I promised Kurt I would buy him a tankful of gasoline for his Deusenberg irrespective of my POV on a range of issues. I only ask he understand I am obligated to defend Rogers' views to express his thoughts within the framework of the Guidelines as is his privilege, whether I agree with them or not. He was not voted Numismatist of the Year solely on the strength of his good looks. 🤣

Hello there! The waving hand positioned strategically but unobtrusively on the NE corner of your user name requires the membership treat you as a welcome guest. Your question is a fair one, unfortunately, the key to the identity of this coin will rely on great part on what that [9]? -lettered word above the two "maps" read. The date is well-worn but somewhat legible. I would like to know from whom you obtained this coin and what they may have told you regarding same. Hopefully, the membership here will be able to tell you off the cuff what this is, or steer you in the right direction. P.S. A question of my own: of the two, which is worse: a plague of locusts or cicadas?

I would guess the inexorable climb of spot silver is the impetus for profit-taking. As of this morning, May 1, silver was $26.47/oz. and this item has historical sjgnificance.

You have a greater familiarity with this series than most people do and, as you are aware, pricing is beyond the control of eBay. (My thanks to @Walkerfan for indulging the intrusion on his Topic.)

This member rarely weighs in on rendering opinions on other member's coins. I can vouch for the fact that when he does, he has always been exceedingly polite. If, as you've indicated, the coin has been submitted, any opinions or observations are moot. Let the experts do the necessary deliberations and I do hope you accept their verdict. (The results can then be forwarded to the person(s) who sold you the piece if that is possible, and you can state your claim as to whether they had honored the description of the coin you purchased, accurately and honestly.) We are all coin enthusiasts and sometimes the truth may require brutal honesty. No true coin collector here would revel in another's misfortune. Let's be patient, and see what happens.

Hey Rod, Henri (Ahn-REE) here. With silver spot at $25 or $26, last I checked, it wouldn't be surprising if the ("fine siver bar," per RWB) is up for sale. Plus it's got nostalgic value. 🤣 Incidentally, I never did find out what the gavel price was. It's too bad Kurt is too busy making money elsewhere. I heard he loves Long Beach!

RE: (MMIX) 2009 G$20. ULRA HIGH RELIEF MS 70 DPL $6,895. Curious as to how expensive one of these slabs as advertised on the RCTV Network, can go, I took a quick check of eBay. I think it ought to be made clear that the TV examples were all slabbed by NGC, unaccompanied by official memorabilia such as boxes, CsOA, and plain slabs signed by Ed Moy. They are there for the whole world to see for those so inclined. As an honorary rank amateur thus far unopposed by anyone vying for my crown -- a crayon-colored dunce cap, my intention was to get a feel for the market GF1967 et al are indubitably intimately familiar with to determine how much of a profit margin there could possibly be for these artifacts. The sales prices I saw, effective today, rose in increments from a low of $3.267 to a raw example listed at $4,400. The only NGC MMIX, Ultra High Relief, MS 70 DPL I saw offered for sale was the one as above-referenced for the as price indicated. There is no question the UHRs MS 70s are rare -- and the DPL examples presumably rarer, as only 200-plus of the former have been certified to date, but I leave to the resident experts to forecast which way things will go in the future. Personally, I do not see sizeable margins of profit here -- but those capable of being honest with themselves, at least privately, will concede, with the exception of a few unanticipated outliers, that's been the history of coin collecting from the beginning. 🐓

Note to the Membership On occasion, responsible members will politely suggest members who post their own coins on existing threads, whether related or not to the Topic at hand, do so by creating a new topic so as not to cause confusion. Apparently, this is what happened here with the result that, I believe, four different presentations were posted, with intermixed comments, hence the ensuing confusion. Bear in mind, this Topic was begun by @Walkerfan on May 20, 2020 -- nearly (4) YEARS ago. The most recent RCTV presentation occurred recently the Topic of which was solely the MMIX Saint Gauden's Double Eagles which a dealer apparently clawed back from buyers who had bought them when they were initially released. It stands to reason they would cost more that FMV. I believe he snagged 15 all told, every one of which was graded MS-70. The presenter (who I caught only because I was changing channels) provided a chart which indicated among other things the total minted as well as the total NGC-certified MS-70 at either 214 or 219. I am not a collector but watched it for the uncommon information that was imparted. Buyers were given the opportunity to lock in their buy by paying 1/3 now (roughly $1500.) with the balance to be paid in two more equal monthly installments. The thread confused me as well until both the Neophyte Numismatist echoed exactly what I was thinking (deja vue) and RWB repeated a comment he first made on 8/13/2021. [Let it never be said Henri Charriere is never inclined to be helpful when opportunity avails. Now, let the combatants bump gloved hands, and let's have a nice clean fight! ] 🤣

🐓 : Hey Q, mind telling me how this repetitious regurgitation contributes to "broadening the body of numismatic knowledge?" Q.A.: It doesn't and isn't intended to. It's tolerated as coming from someone who emulates the infantile and immature. I allow it as one would an impetuous adolescent. As records, if still maintained, will reflect, only ONE member had the intestinal fortitude and colossal gall to respond to an accusation of another by proclaiming, rather publicly, "I do not like you and have 'ignored' you!" Word has it Edgar Jason Allan Poe chose to move his base of operations ATS. If the malcontent were to embrace our Grand Master, whether he agrees with everything he does or not -- as a courtesy one member extends to another -- the equivalent of two reams of essentially passive-aggressive fluff, would evaporate overnight. Me? I haven't a worry in the world.

IHi there ! Welcome back ! That's a fine coin you have there. While I am unable to help you with your specific concern, I wish to assure you it is still early yet and when you factor in time zones the wait may be a tad longer. Be patient. You have accessed what may arguably be one of the finest chat boards in existence. Someone well--versed in such matters should be along to assist you shortly...

The second most outrageous comment I have ever made is the one I am about to make now: In the absence of evidence of obvious chicanery -- and being brought up to question everything -- I have little choice but to gravitate to RWB's camp. For example, what hidden motive or axe to grind would he have for simply stating, "the materials available do not support the descriptions." ? Everyone in Dealey Plaza that November day is entitled to say, "I was there. I saw everything." And yet, eyewitness testimony has been challenged and, in recent years, found to be unreliable. Survivors have stepped forward and claimed: "It's him! I won't forget his face for as long as Iive." That is, until the DNA evidence is introduced. I have read our Grand Master's writings for years now. I waver now and then, but am not in a position to dissect his methodology. Accordingly, I give him the benefit of the doubt. I seriously doubt anyone would have a motive for seeking to pay him for a contrarion opinion. To the contrary, his views delivered with complete confidence, if anything, inspires further consideration. I also do not believe the honorarium, "Numismatist of the Year," is bestowed lightly.

No! Stop it! F U L L S T O P ! ! ! (Is this thing on???) Give me a break with "nice information" or "an appreciation for our coin heritage... and the very worst thing I thought I would ever have the great misfortune of seeing in print: ".... overpaying isn't the worst thing in the world." ARE YOU MESHUGGAH ? Have not you ever heard of "price goughing"? IT IS A CRIME! I don't care about this giving a hobby hobbling along a shot in the arm by any means necessary. Not by hook or crook! Only fair and square. Prevailing FMV, whatever. I couldn't care less about the costs related to running the infomercial. (Matter of fact, they're way to-o-o long to begin with.) Long after I am gone, I would like the piece of knowing the hobby is robust and above-board in its dealings with the public. The snake oil salesman and shysters can find something else to do. I don't ever want to hear that the hobby I spent practically my whole life in, stooped to the level of the various Public Administrators of the City of New York: those public servants charged with the responsibility of seeing to it any of a decedent's survivors are diligently tracked down to the four corners of the earth to insure equitable distribution of all their personal possessions and property, only to skip the investigative stage to line their pockets.

Alright, okay... the Double-Eagle I bestow upon you will be one of my choice. I give you my word it will not be the '30-S lowball. 🤣

Respectfully, the hobby lacks direction. Coins are being submitted because Newbies (and not a few Oldies) seem to feel "that's what hobbyists do." Very very few newly-minted coins require certifications. Newbies to the hobby are bum-rushed by exasperated long-time collectors who have neither the "bedside manner" or inclination to provide meaningful advice in a non-hostile manner. Collectors are being charged fees by those whose simple glance at below-par submissions ought to compel them to pick up the phone and review the manner with the very people responsible for their existence. One negative experience is all it takes to have a prospective hobbyist reconsider his career options. If I won a billion dollars (which would yield a few hundred million dollars, after taxes) I would reimburse all collectors with a legitimate grudge as well as victims of scamsters and those [mainly older folks] who lost their life's savings to those without a conscience. I am a pauper by choice. What more could I possibly need than food, clothing and and shelter. I have no debts. I would share my largesse with those whose sympathies lie with mine. If I am unable to compile the "best possible set" in my area of interest, I will devote my efforts to those who have a good shot at compiling the finest set of tokens and braided half cents. No more Butcher Hollow for Headhog; a tankful of premium gasoline for Kurt; an offer no reasonable person can refuse to upgrade Just Bob's tic-tac-token boards; generous research funds for RWB, a double-eagle of choice for GF1969 and operating funds for Sandon. And... a Petty Cash endowment for NGC to cater to those who suffered the the cost of making an ill-advised choice through no fault of their own. I remain optimistic. ATTENTION: MODERATION. Feel free to move this post to an appropriate topic, or edit, or scrap, as you see fit. No hard feelings. We are all friends here.

I would love to weigh in, but malhereusement, you've been around long enough to know my reputation lies in tatters, my credibility is shot and I believe I hold the unofficial record for most expulsions, deportations, and being forced to undergo a mock execution in Vladivostok. While I have never suffered the good fortune of being wrist-slapped, I have been sent to bed without supper for thirteen days. If you have a bon-fide "variety," I am very happy for you but am unable to meet your $1.2 million asking price. 🤣

I am afraid that is not possible. By your own admission, you date back to B.C., i.e. Before Coins. 🤣