Henri Charriere

Great sense of humor! I just don't want to get into anyone's face with Roosters!

Magic bullet?

My sentiments, exactly.

I was not privy to any aspect of this body of knowledge. I appreciate the minutiae greatly.

As my dear old mom used to say, Yalanda dil, or, Isn't that so!

Respectfully, I dissent, and do so politely. The comment alluded to is not worthless. On the contrary it is priceless. I have long maintained some members enjoy unconditional immunity. This is documentary proof. The extraordinary dynamic illustrated here is without parallel. There is no ill-will here, no bad blood. We all have ways of expressing ourselves. I myself had to weather the initiation rites. No one knows this better than stoic RWB. Good natured ribbing is all it is. No offense given; none taken. I believe I speak for all members on this. We are all friends.That's enough bandwidth. Carry on, gentlemen.

FWIW, I wholeheartedly agree with your basic premise. Oddly, whatever the reason, the "or coq Marianne" [🐓] appear to be commanding much higher prices lately than I remember paying for them in 2019. Also, there are 7 times as many Set Registrants here at NGC than on the P- circuit. I don't have the luxury of resting on my laurels. I regard the rumored sighting of any grade finer than mine for any year as a personal challenge that cannot go unanswered. One can make of this whatever one will. Great thread! 👍

[And here I was thinking it had to be a manually held wire brush of the type used on leather or swedes. Thank you!]

[At a member's suggestion, I checked out CT. I did not like it. All they do is talk about coins. The secret of my success over there, not that it's going to make those who were forced to migrate therefrom feel any better, is simple. I Iurked, looked, and listened. And, this is key: I never spoke up. I like it here better where I am welcomed with open arms.] 🐓

[I hope I am not being out of order by asking, but what exactly are polished dies polished with?]

[As always, I am open to constructive criticism.]

@VKurtB I would not. It's anti-scriptural.* I would accept the fate accorded that coin, and me. (Your pulling our legs, right? Strictly anecdotal?) * Something to do with tampering with, removing, or otherwise disturbing landmarks.

Philately, deltiology with numismatics on deck. Just an observation, not an opinion. The symptoms are there, a diagnosis was made, no known cure.

To the gentleman who once commented that the dies used to mint French 20-franc gold roosters were inferior, the proof is in the pudding. Over 100 million made; no hits, no runs, no errors, etc.

@VKurtB described the intricate beauty and utility of this product in considerable detail. I am against its wanton destruction and particularly so when it serves a selfish end.

@GoldFinger1969 Close. The Copacabana.

So complicated that they can be routinely cracked open.

I am prepared to go much much further than you on this [and that's why I feel you would be a good advocate for a hobby that no one wants to acknowledge is hemorrhaging members continually]. The legal profession recognizes and accepts pro bono representation by lawyers on behalf of their firms. In the medical profession, a patient can seek a second opinion. I don't know what it costs to throw a convention or even how much it costs a penny lady to ride circuit, but I don't see the coin profession, as viewed from the street, as doing anything charitable to drum up business. If one venerable member of note, can laudably, donate his time and services and volunteer to do grunt work to keep the juggernaut running, I don't see why retired graders cannot donate their time and services, too. Money isn't everything and in the end you cannot take it with you. Perhaps our colleague Errorist isn't presenting the matter with the sense of urgency it deserves. Are we, as a serious hobby doing all we can to attract new members while holding onto the ones we have? If not, what could be done better? I probably won't be around by then, but I can only hope NGC sees the light and distinguishes itself by trying a different tack. How about a 50th anniversary celebration with conventions sponsored by any number of heavily-endowed foundations featuring authentication and grading for at least young numismatists at founding year's prices? Don't allow yourselves to be swallowed up by the naysayers. Be positive! How can things be done differently? If a corner soup kitchen can foot the bills of daily meals via funds drawn on a late benefactors will or trust, maybe that's an idea whose time has come for coins. I would have no trouble contributing a modest sum in support of such a fund. If I win a Powerball, look out NGC! ALL CUSTOMERS WILL BE TREATED LIKE LONG-TIME FRIENDS AND GUESTS. Maybe we will come to you like Publisher's Clearinghouse does. All food for thought. What's needed is new blood and new ways of thinking.

Sounds copacetic to me. 🐓

The CACkling kind. 🐓

It's in the Good Book: "What [tetragrammaton] has joined together, let no man put asunder." This principle was cited by those opposed to construction of the Panama canal across the isthmus and presumably, by extension, applies to unauthorized decapsulations and breaching the integrity of proof sets. I don't have to read another word. You, my friend, are my kind of collector! 😉

From what I've seen, it may be a good candidate for a bean.

The most amusing thing about this thread, and I have read every comment posted on it, is everyone with only one notable exception, has committed irreversible error: They've taken you seriously. I understand you and sense your frustration. You're a fish out of water seeking validation. A vacancy developed when I eloped recently. I believe you to be a worthy successor to the throne. I hereby relinquish my duties as creatively imagined by others and appoint you to be my official spokesperson and successor. No need for me to stick my neck out anymore. You've got the right blend of rascality, mischievousness and spunk. If anybody objects, speak up now or forever hold your pieces (sic).

Yes, I know, but that's ancient history. When does one let go of the past? You'd sooner find the Ark of the Covenant than any vestige of him. There're a lot of new members here. Time to move on particularly when the member involved is not present to defend himself.

[In deference to you and the principal participants on this Topic, I have withdrawn the comment and will refrain from commenting further. Carry on, gentlemen.]