Henri Charriere

@World Colonial: The only reason why I do not formally follow you is because doing so would reflect poorly, on you. But I hang on your every word as your voice is like no other. I appreciate the fact you address all members, from all walks of life, evenly.

Clarification requested... If an event occurs every six years, the sequence should be...0 - VI - XII - XVIII, or 0, 6, 12, 18. Where exactly does the XVI, or 16th get shoehorned in?

Two observations... 1. Clearly, the overture re low-balls I received was not from our hosts; 2. I am taking judicial notice of the fact that z, when in an excitable state, resorts to Capitalization, a feat rarely if ever encountered on these rapidly unspooling threads. 😉 Good nite all!

[How many signs do you figure you've had to hang to get you this far? Now that's a labor of love!]

Joe Bananas! I read his autobiography: A Man of Honor... What's that? Not the same Joe Bonanno? Oh, sorry... disregard. (Seriously, I'm glad I kept my mouth shut on other forums; here is where I belong.)

Just saw something pending at HA... a MCMVII $20. High Relief, Flat Rim, MS66+ PCGS CAC, current bid 80K (99K w/bp) with eight more days to go. (Am I back on track, or what?)

One TPGS (maybe this one, maybe not) urged collectors to consider starting a "low-ball" set, adding, "it's not as easy as you think." I ruminated over that and reached the inescapable conclusion that it wouldn't be cost-effective. Simple as that.

[As the referee who made the controversial call during the RR2020 bout (which cost me my job) some words of kindly advice: Don't try to read between the lines. Just focus on the closing words.]

On the other hand, there are many eBay listers, mostly dealers as I recall, who either will not sell internationally altogether, or cities specifically. I can envision a caller in the Crimea credibly insisting, "Everything is fine here; the problem is in Mariupol and the Donbas." I do not believe I can come up with a suitable analogy for the United States, but maybe, just maybe an advisory thread could be started as a public service. China or Nigeria would vye for #1 on any contemplated Top Ten List of Iffy Places.

[Maybe I should dispense with the "wordsmithing" and compile a list of such perilous places with a succinct notation why. If just one starry-eyed newbie benefits, I've made myself useful.]

[Respectfully, this is a most regrettable, overly-broad conclusion and, not being a set registrant, I don't know if you could identify with those who are. I am a Virgo; astrological lore has it that we are critical and perfectionists. Plenty of people can manage to snag a rare car or painting, but that alone becomes their claim to fame. What completing my 🐓 set requires, nay demands, is I become a 24/7 fanatic. Starting fairly late in life, I do not have the luxury of patience to wait for coins to appear: I decided to get them at any cost. I believe the woman who "bribed" those who owned the three coins I "required," shortly thereafter lost her job. And for me, hewing to the MS-67 line proved futile: to date (last I checked) not a single one of the coins which comprise fully half the original 🐓 series, has yet to be submitted, authenticated and certified with an MS-67 designation. So, in my eyes, I am a loser, while the rest of the numismatic community showers me with accolades and plaques. Truth be told: I was simply at the right time, at the right place and well-positioned to act decisively. I know, I know... BACK ON TRACK!

Oui. 🐓

I believe, I doubt I will ever truly know, the stickers come with an adhesive backing, much like postage stamps. What enquiring minds like mine would like to know is what happens when the see-thru [stickered] sarcophagus has outlived its useful life and the coin lying therein has visibly changed in such a way as to strongly suggest the honor bestowed upon it, once upon a time, is no longer applicable? 🤔

When I read a question like yours, I ask myself, What would I do? If time is not of the essence, I would "Ask NGC..." on the forum submitting photos in support of your request; call Stacks and Heritage Auctions, both now within blocks of each other in New York, mindful what you have is a medallion and not a coin (and they may insist on seeing it in hand, if a fax won't do.) I do not know if Nick Vagi of NGC could help. He grades Ancients. I could also try the Portuguese consulate (for a simple explanation). The photograph you've provided is superb and more than sufficient to answer your question. These are the options I believe are worth pursuing.

[I have noted your #1 post position on the Leaderboard. In addition to the kind feedback above, I should like to add your command of the English language and discerning eye with respect to coins, has improved dramatically. You are a fine role model having won favor with members from all walks of life. Congratulations! Wishing you and yours a happy and safe Fourth.] 🐓

I f @Conder101 whose forte, in part, is errors, contributes his , I will accept his explanation as I do not have one.

@VKurtB: There was a time--no one reading this is old enough to remember, including myself, when people scoffed at the idea of a "horseless carriage." One member stated I had no idea what a coin census represented in the larger scheme of things (he was right!) and I am grateful @cladking was kind enough to provide a detailed explanation of why clad coins, a misunderstood coin if ever there was one, deserved my reconsideration as an "innovation." I am grateful to all for taking the time and trouble to explain these things to me. As @Just Bob succinctly put it, in substance: however unique or rare you regard your collectible, absent "demand" it is not as valuable as you may be inclined to believe. Have a safe and happy Fourth!

@Cat Bath: Strictly as an aside, I do see what you are driving at, but I do not have an answer. My own set, also on the PCGS Set Registry is 100% complete and both the current and all-time finest, highest graded, etc. But, I am not happy. Why? Because though the plaque I got, and another one I expect I shall receive shortly, reads "Best..." IT IS NOT. Better examples, all of which have been formally recognized and can be counted on one hand, lie out there. And God only knows the vast majority remain raw and undetected. [I believe Europeans are both amused and mystified by our reliance on the Sheldon Scale. The French designation, FDC, runs the entire gamut from MS-65 through MS-70.] I see the light at the end of the tunnel but day-after-day it turned out to be nothing but a mirage. My hopes dashed. Obviously, I cannot speak for the two gentlemen you speak of, but I suspect they face the same problem I do: unavailability. At my age, I cannot wait for my Great Snake, as it were, to show up, so I have withdrawn from the hunt. There is nothing more infuriating than to submit Want Lists and issue APB's and BOLO's, only to be bombarded by totally inapplicable alerts and notifications. Every coin collector has experienced this in their own way. 🐓

"One man's trash is another man's treasure [and the by-product from one food can be perfect for making another." [Complete unexpurgated quote by Yotam Ottolenghi.]

[Sorry, that was a joke. He's been long gone. If memory serves, the last time Uganda was big news was during the raid on Entebbe (coincidentally on our bicentennial observance) Happy 4th!]

Which one? Idi Amin?

Friday, at nite, flying east, weather forecast not updated, on crutches in a plane requiring considerable manual dexterity and manipulation, auto-pilot not engaged (no co-pilot, not instrument trained.) Literally flying blind.

Funny I never noticed. I opened the box, thought my glasses were foggy, reached for my [forbidden] loupe, took one look at the obverse, one look at the reverse, and thought... I could have had a perfectly good rooster for that amount of money. And they're bigger than dimes.

As distinguished member @RWB memorably pointed out to me, the statue on the dome of the Capitol--of my St-Gaudens double eagle struck on a two ounce .999 silver planchet--was facing the wrong way. Highly unlikely my "coin" or that of Dan' Carr's creation would ever be spent accidentally. Both are worth far in excess of their stated face values.

[I guess this is not the right time to discuss the usage of the word "matte" overseas.]