Henri Charriere

My understanding is it was at the Waldorf-Astoria, 301 Park Ave. from 2001-2017, then switched to the Grand Hyatt, 109 East 42nd Street (now closed due to COVID-19 concerns) and has now been scheduled for the Intercontinental Barclay, 111 East 48th Street @ Lex, a hop, skip and a jump from the Waldorf. If I find something, it will absolutely, positively be my last buy. Period. 😉

@Ratzie33 probably has some practical experience, but is too young to have acquired the "institutional knowledge" required to hold his own. Judging by the @The Penny Lady's portfolio from the Baltimore show, I would guess that someone will be a part of the older cohort. 🐓

Too little, too late. As Edison said, [Success] is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration. If my wife allows me to attend NYINC, I'll go but I would no sooner switch to errors and varieties than you would -- or 🐓 🐓 🐓.

If my understanding of the authentication and certification process is correct, this coin, lacking a definitive date, is not eligible for evaluation. It's only claim to fame is no other coin of this vintage has been found in a more unfortunate condition.

SUPERFLUOUS NOTE: A few lines from Samuel Taylor Colridge describes exactly how I felt after @VKurtB took his time sizing me up before engaging (and, in so doing, eviscerating) me days after my first post... "He went like one that had been stunned, and is of sense forlorn: A sadder and a wiser man, he rose the morning morn." -From the closing lines of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. (written in the late 1790's) Seasoned member @VKurtB pulled no punches not only ridiculing the idea a world class collection of French 20-franc gold roosters could be assembled in only 90 days, but also questioned the value of any collection that could. Turns out he was right on both counts. Availability is what stymied me. I am fond of straight-shooters, and he fits the bill.

To paraphrase the Notorius B.I.G (decessed): "You ain' know, now you know, [expletive deleted]. 🐓

@Conder101 [Deleted; I respectfully defer to @Conder101]

@RWB I recall an explanation for the starfishlike effect but does the clash of the steel titans explain why LIBERTY is virtually indecipherable? And what about the reverse... any extra-terrestrial phenomena of note there? 🤔

"Brevity is the soul of wit." (Shakespeare, Hamlet, Polonius, a2, s2) Translation: clever people can express intelligent things using very few words. Gratuitous observation: It appears you've met your match. 😉 🐓

IMHO, that Del Monte $20. bill that sold for nearly $4M ain't got nothin' on my collection of Chiquita brand sawbucks.

Yes, I know, old thread, but there is No Way I am going to be forced-fed "AU-58 proof." This flies in the face of what was inculcated in me from birth as a newby in the 1950's: the term, "proof," is a process, not a "grade." Now see what you gentlemen have gotten yourselves into? One giant slippery slope littered with bruised egos, posturing, an alienation of professional affection for each other best illustrated by @Alex in PA.'s choice of emoji... what a mess! No wonder @VKurtB gave this a pass. 🤔

@jtryka Lovely lineup! I believe suspect # 1 is the perp. I distinctly recall the No. 9 in the date was askew, exactly as depicted. Did the TPGS make mention of it? 😉

With votes cast split 50-50, I don't know what to think. The only question I have is, was @physics-fan3.14 in any way offended, and does this mean MAULEMALL can come back with his hooded horseman coin? 🤔

A LITTLE LEVITY... 🐓 🐓 🐓: "He keeps returning to this thread... You're not thinking of getting rid of us are you??? Q.A.: ALL options are on the table.

By Special Request: To begin with, I cannot recall what I had for breakfast this morning. But let's assume I can remember what this was all about. With notifications disabled quietly by the Admininstrator, and/or his and her minions, this is the first time I've seen the topic, question and comment, in two months. I am going to take a guess, as the only member who refused to deal with the Mint, I chose two eBay sellers with good track words, used a debit card (I avoid PayPal) and now, six months later, have received nothing. The sellers have since sold their goods, and moved on. They and eBay are non-responsive. I am going to take a guess and suggest -- now that my gold roosters have ostracized me for being a traitor -- that having scrolled thru the thread and squandered close to $500. for something I never really wanted to begin with (especially after checking the specs and the negative comments voiced by members) I want nothing more to do with them. My step, should I choose to go that route, is contact the Postmaster General's office. By the way, do you similarly challenge government officials when they lob their gratuitous, "We shall neither confirm or deny..." your way? 🐓 P.S. Edit: the FMV of those coins has dropped over 50% what I paid for them.

@Just Bob That's one of the benefits of never logging out... and being a chiffonier (which my wife forbids me to practice). If my wife permits me to go to NYINC, I will wear the same formal wear I wore at our wedding, her sister's wedding -- and her late mom's viewing. Only 3x. Otherwise, I look unremarkable. I don't lock windows, doors or phones. I refuse to. I guess I'm just lucky. I Iove this place. (What's that?... ol'hoopster's been spotted?... Better go now! Love your tokens!)

I agree. The preoccupation by U.S. collectors with possible errors on world coins, amuses and perplexes the world. I am familiar with many anomalies present on my Roosters, but none are recognized by any reference source. There is not a single slot devoted to the acquisition and display of what would routinely be regarded, hands down, as an error, or variety. I believe if @VKurtB were to seek a private audience with Royal Mint officials in London, one might confide in him that the reason is simple: Those of the stiff upper lip persuasion would be reluctant to acknowledge "errors" or "varieties" as defects in otherwise superior products and an imperfection which would damage the reputation and myth of unsurpassed quality. Sound plausible?

(This post reminds me to urge you to recognize I have reconciled your admonition against Never using a magnification exceeding 5-x to 7-x, for "grading". For coins requiring meaningful "autopsy," supporting a finding of cause of death, requires higher magnification such as is provided by your heavy artillery: two lense microscope, is warranted and acceptable.] I respectfully acquiesce.

You certainly have an eagle's eyesight; I have to give you that.

This coin is over twenty (20) years old. Lacking meticulous documentation regarding the trials and tribulations this coin was subjected to during that span of time, I respectfully suggest we put out an APB/BOLO and, if necessary, an INTERPOL Red Notice, on fellow member @cladking for the purposes of soliciting his humble opinion on the species of coin (clad) he champions. All in favor, say Aye! 😉 🐓

@World Colonial While I have difficulty identifying the sources from which you base your prognostications -- the hue and cry has been raised many times before -- I have to admit I find your comments to be insightful and at times bewildering and confounding but refreshing in that you hold nothing back. It is almost as if there ought to be a trailer reading, fail to take heed at your own peril. 🤔

🐓: Good thing you kept your mouth shut, boss! Q.A.: It's like that old saying: better to be silent and be thought a fool then to speak and remove all doubt. 😉

No, absolutely not. No resemblance to you. He'd be about as old as I am now, 70, or older. I have never been to Harrodsburg but recall a reference he made to President Lincoln's log cabin. Besides, that was way back in 1972.

["Buffalo's" fotos are tops in my book.] 🐓

@World Colonial Is this your quaint way of saying that the $20 bill festooned with a Del Monte label from Ecuador that was auctioned off for nearly $400,000 earlier this year may become worthless one day, and I am wasting my time hot steam-pressing Chiquita brand labels from Guatemala and Honduras on my double-sawbucks? 😉