Henri Charriere

It has an overall attractiveness (eye appeal) which, I have since learned, is an imponderable, elusive quality--exclusive of grade entirely, that can either "make" or "break" a sale. I like its honey golden hue and vestiges of original mint luster and can definitely see why others would as well.

I wish I could approach this the way you have, but I no longer can. I am pretty much in the same boat as @Redline68. Worse, as I have [non-jokingly] said before, elsewhere: my wife does not know a loupe from a cantaloupe. I asked her if she knew where my assets were. She said, "I don't know." I'm dead.

[I am presently wading through John Albanese interviews in which he provides very specific information regarding CAC's, the volume of coins submitted, the rejection rate, and the percentage awarded green and yellow stickers. Unfortunately, I cannot be flippant on this thread and expect to survive the ever-vigilant eyes of a card-carrying, dyed-in-wool superfan of CAC.]

[I would have to clear this with the Great z. He maintains I do not know the first thing about grading and populations. Sorry!]

[My wife is prescribed Metformin--and when I informed my sister, she promptly denounced me, stated the drug was a toxic poison, and intimated I was an unfit husband. When I sought an opinion from our doctor, he turned around and said, M is a wonder drug and a resounding success. My sister retorted, "What do you expect? He represents Big Pharma!" Can't win for losing...]

This is true, but "Houston, we have a problem!" There were many John Albanese interviews and the vast majority dwell on CAC, whatever that is. I know J.A. specifically addressed the subject of long turn-around times, citing early examples at NGC or the other TPGS, for no other purpose than to emphasize how far along they have come and how much better things are today. [No, I am not slacking. I have to visually skim through every interview. It's got to be recent. No more than two years old.]

[Man I miss this guy!] 🐓

@zadok: Relax, 463 results spread over 19 pp. Should find it by midnite; if not, tomorrow is another day. [Your wish is my command.]

Alright, alright... I will do the grunt work. Sheesh!

[None of the Morgans I got from local banks, decades ago (early 1960's) looked anywhere as nice as these.]

Superior gene line...

@VKurtB: This informational, deserves a response. This Covid-19 brouhaha erupted, if memory serves, about two years ago. If I had not fallen and sought a medical once-over, it would not have been discovered I was a carrier not unlike Typhoid Mary, and given an infusion, or long drawn out injections, 4 administered consecutively, over a 1 - 1-1/2 minute interval. I was given BEBTELOVIMAB, but was told it was new, nobody heard of it and no one knew what to expect. I was fine before infusion. I am NOT fine now, going on two weeks. The Fact Sheets I was given specifically says: "Please note: You cannot receive a Covid-19 vaccination for at least 90 days after today's treatment." Fine, so like it or not, I am stuck. I have not experienced any of the dozen or so side effects I had been cautioned to be wary of. Truth be told, I was not taken to the E.R. for Covid-19. I did not know I was +, and neither did my wife. (SHE was given a prescription for Pfizer's Paxlovid: 3 pills in the AM, 3 at nite--for 5 days.) I plan on getting tested on Friday. I was re-tested earlier this week, at the 10-day mark, and unsurprisingly, was +. Given a choice, I could not urge anyone, in clear conscience, to accede to an "infusion." My sister said, "Everyone knows you take Vitamin C, and take plenty of rest." My alibi is I am a "people pleaser." You have an untested drug that is non-FDA approved that has not undergone clinical trials and has an Emergency Use Authorization? Sure, why not? I'm your Guinea pig. Go right ahead. I would urge anyone to weigh this matter carefully.

Gentleman, and the OP, FWIW, I cannot speak from experience, but I distinctly recall in that John Albanese interview, in which he reminisces at length on the way things were in the very beginning, he provides specific figures on back-log times of up to a year, possibly more, on submissions, whether by dealers or collectors. The Great Z (Guideline policy prohibits me from naming individual members) is well within the ballpark--but that interview, which may have appeared stand-alone, or as part of a dedicated thread, was quite revealing. I am certain anyone in full posession of their faculties, and so inclined using their innate resourcefulness, would be able to locate it with ease. [I am under the weather and unable to undertake this myself, particularly in locating it and describing exactly where it is.] It is there, I recall reading it, and was stunned by the disclosures which active collectors can attest to.] 🐓

Fair enough. I did not even know they were a viable concern. I last dealt with them in the late 1960's. Tempus fugit!

Is that so? To the OP: Kindly disregard my evidently uninformed, hastily-made comment.

@Mr_Spud: A labor of love! Very, very well done!

Oh, for Cris' sakes! I remember! The Intaglio Mint just minted a 2-ounce version, for roughly $50. I remember thinking they used to be very discreet about their "interpretations," but this one had TWO OUNCES, or some such device emblazoned right across the bottom reverse. Frankly, I didn't like it. (Sorry I can't provide a link. I'm just not that smart.)

UPDATE: I regret to say I had fallen, and could not get up. I was taken to the hospital. There were some gray areas with the X-rays, etc. I was routinely tested for Covid-19. Positive! I was treated via "infusion" with an Emergency Authorization Use of a new-fangled drug and discharged presumably for later follow-up after the infection abates. First thing I did was self-test my wife. Positive! She went to get formally tested, and was referred to a nearby Urgent Care car. There she was told to go back to the E.R., for treatment of high glucose blood and elevated enzymes. So your post, which I replied to, has come back to bite me. I am behind a walker. I do not believe the long term prognosis is encouraging. My wife, I repeat, wouldn't know a loupe from a cantaloupe. Bottom line: I should've paid attention closer attention to your post. Let this be a clarion call to all collectors! 🐓

Just spotted this now. Littleton? LITTLETON! Wow! They're still in business? Incredible! They were way out of line with their pricing as far back as the 1960's. They shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath with any other entity. They're in a class all by themselves!

Funny, I could have sworn I saw a photo recently of a splendid example, same date, arrows, rays, but where? I cannot remember. If by chance I recall, I'll let you know.

To the OP: The post, of a wagging finger to which you spontaneously responded, "What's that?" ranks as one of my all-time favorites. After you, they broke the mold.

It is one of perception and perspective. When the Beaufort scale, pardon me, Sheldon scale was introduced, numbers supplanted letters. But, in actuality (or maybe it's just me) the old terms, G, VG, F, etc., are retained as qualifiers. A "37" in and of itself is meaningless. Not because it doesn't exist formally, but because it is untethered. Like it or not, this concoction is here to stay (and no, my AU-59's, by whatever name otherwise known, are not for sale).

I tell you, with the foregoing priceless gems of wisdom, you have cemented your status as a Major Contender, and a force to be reckoned with. This is unvarnished greatness!

Let's see... it's better than VF which is better than F. With AU, you are taken away from references to lesser states altogether. Rather than look lower, you set your sights higher: AU, almost, but not quite UNC. I am going to start describing every Mint State coin I have as AU-59. I want to have something no one else has!

I am only seeing this now. Good thing a formal announcement was made. Fortunately, NGC is still NGC, the one and only.