Henri Charriere

This is precisely why I used the respectful moniker [I am no longer permitted to use on the Forum] to refer to you and others with unusual attributes. How does one rebut such testimony? You ARE a contender! 🐓

Minus the self-serving, bigger, better, best running commentary, what is their reputation? I don't know from MARKET, but I rejected outright a gold coin that was nowhere near where it should have been whereupon my money was refunded in full, the questioned item restored to eBay, and this is the telling part -- not parsing words, was jarringly offered a $10. BRIBE (they termed 'a partial refund' - huh?) to remove my negative comments. Note: this encapsulation, was and is still being offered by a major precious metals concern. Not exactly what I was anticipating.

[The Black Sea (some theorize was formed in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption and ensuing tsunami emanating from the Mediterranean) has proven to be a virtual graveyard of perfectly preserved early sailing vessels due to a lack of oxgen below, but, to my knowledge no precious metals were found -- mostly olive oil in casks. Significant yields the world over are yet to be found, IMO]

After losing my entire U.S. collection due to my brother having died intestate and my then 96 year old father reluctant to return from Cetral Anatolia to review storage lockers that hadn't been open in many years -- not to mention the provision that if you access it; you must first pay back back-rent owed AND remove their contents completely. Even if I could, I had nowhere to put it. This is why I do not own a Red Book today; and set my eyes on 🐓. The prices set forth in the Red Book I had always used as a general "guide." I had no choice. There were no TPGS, and by extension, encapsulations or chat boards. I was taught at the knees of prominent numismatists and the few publications available at the time, circa the mid-1960's. Everything I know, true or false, is recalled from memory.

[Attn: OP. If, IF, that is your 🐓 set in the #1 spot here (with the strategic misspelling in the name's set) CONGRATULATIONS! If it is not, with my meager store of knowledge of D.E.s, and laziness, a question; what is the least valuable date in the series, and how much would it be expected to cost?

That the same four-letter word my wife used and she didn't even know what she was looking at. I like it because it evokes the Revolutions in Europe. In addition, the American flag had 30 stars... a nice piece of period history.

[If every collector were as discriminating a collector as you, 99.44% (the long advertised purity of Ivory soap) of the hobby, far from discouraging collectors, would flourish and change the face of the landscape forever.]

Somewhat curious,... is there any specific coin you are looking for? Does MA-SHOP figure into any of this? A notorius bunker [which lies under an extensive slab of concrete]? Or a simple hankering for Wiener schnitzel? What ever you do, beware Omnicron?

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Outdated thread. I know. I know. Nevertheless, can anyone tell me what year gold's numismatic value exceeded it's stated bullion value? I assume it was during the time private ownership was banned. And if that were the case, would anyone producing a coin afterwards be asked, What are you doing with this? or How long have you had this? or Where did you get this from? -- or would the coin simply be confiscated for face value? I assume this occurred during the 1930's, but were there any interesting seizures?

True, possibly, as regarding off-year products, but mint-fresh bulk products are not expected to develop flaws so quickly. For those who agonize inordinately over spots, a special guillotine awaits. No. 1 Rule: The means of production (encapsulations) must maintain momentum. Strictly opinion. 🐓

Any definitive answer is loaded with legal implications. These are new freshly-minted coins. Suppose you were to say, First impression, inside of 2-3 seconds vs. Grading which will necessarily take longer? The assembly line must keep moving. Word has it those who lag and fail to meet quotas are taken outside and shot! 😉

One of the strongest strikes of "PEACE" I've ever seen! You can actually see the relief! Thoughtful gift! 🐓

Those are reserved for s---hole countries.... and Halloween 🎃 mischief makers.

Optical illusion, but it appears there is uneven wear on the reverse which has obliterated some parts of the legends. In fact, one numeral is missing from the date in the upper foto, but quite visible on the bottom shot.

Hot off the wire: A point to ponder: "The chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions." - Alfred Adler

You mean there is hope? I am going to renew my membership; the entertainment value of these threads alone is worth the price of admission. 🐓

There's an app for that.

May sound harsh, but Puerto Rico will never become a state. Unwritten law: "any unincorporated territory that has had rolls of paper towels thrown at it shall not be entitled to become a state."

🐓: Multiple choice question. Yes. No. Maybe. Maybe not. Carry on, gentlemen.

You are a breath of fresh air, sir. It is always a pleasure hearing from you! Happy holidays! P.S. Now about those two 68's you've been hiding from me. 😉

Welcome to the Forum, Wayne! Here now all of 137 minutes and you're eager to jump in. That's good! You're already a member, so that takes care of any concerns about membership fees. The cold, hard truth is I doubt you fully understand what FMV is, as alluded to by one member. I've been around forever and only recently grasped the concept. Is the coin worth grading? It presents as being of the clad persuasion but if it was possible to mint a 1943 copper cent, it may not be too much of a stretch to envision a 90% silver 1969, but I wouldn't count on it. What's that you say, a reddish, copper edge? Sorry, Wayne. Perchance to dream. Better luck next time. Happy hunting! 🐓

Sound advice. I second that.

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO REVIVE A DORMANT THREAD! My take is far more aggressive: I believe this to be a trick question. If you were to ask any person at random who knows nothing about coins, which was the better coin -- my wife, a non-collector, is a prime example -- that person will instinctively point to the coin without toning or tarnish. The cleaner looking coin. It would defeat the whole purpose of the "experiment" if the answer appeared obvious, and in this regard, the OP succeeded in getting his point across -- even mentioning aspects I was wholly unaware of [For a light-hearted look at this matter, see my post, "How One Line-up Was Conducted," on the Off-Topic thread.]

If your experience mirrors mine, don't be surprised if you're besieged by collectors for any outgraded coins you may still have including a few dealers masquerading as individuals looking for inventory to sell. I turned down one considerate collector who had something I didn't have, a 66+, because I felt the availability of a 67 was inevitable. I was wrong then and I am wrong now. No one here on NGC has a '13 🐓 in 67, for one reason only: not because it's uncommon (it isn't) but because none have been submitted. Your series is exponentially more complicated than mine. And, frankly, your stick-to-it-if-ness shows you have the stuff, the mettle needed of those who see things through to completion. Great accomplishment!!! 🐓