Henri Charriere

I might as well come right out and say it: that hat, however configured then, never ceases to conjure up the specter of one of Walter Disney's sleeping dwarves now, the name of which [fortunately] escapes me, ready access to Google, notwithstanding. 🐓

"Combat fatigue"

Having made references to "western" culture, one can safely assume the OP hales from points east, England or North Wales. The tortured language used suggests "elsewhere." Once again, grades assigned there, VF, for example, embrace all coins graded here as anywhere from XF-40 to AU-54; complicating the assignment of grades there, is XF / EF, which includes grades from AU-/55 to MS-62, which is not to be confused with Mint State which includes only two grades here: MS-63 and MS-64. Note: It should be pointed out that the grade UNC there supersedes MS here with a range of six grades ranging from MS-65 to MS-70. A grade of AU+ is too indeterminate and therefore unhelpful. .

@Mr_Spud Incredibly beautiful coin. (I don't what your stance is on @RWB's thread on the "Phrygian cap" but I much prefer the simpler look, an unadorned head featuring a headband stating LIBERTY as executed on your coin.)

At the risk of having the entire membership rise up and eviscerate me, very publicly and embarrassingly -- and anyone who would entertain the thought, "Well, it's not against the Guidelines to comment in good faith, negatively or not," I hereby throw all caution to the wind and aver the following... There is a special place in my ❤ for @Lem E his modest style, collection of coins, and introduction to @Buffalo Head's photography skills. I don't know who photographed the 1961 Jefferson, but I am not sure it would make a difference. I have withheld comment until I have had a sufficient opportunity to examine it [under possibly unlawful, according to @VKurtB's unarguable Law of the Magnification of Coins] and come to the conclusion that while the coin is deserving of an MS-67 grade in every respect, that does not extend to the very weakly struck stone pile with barely distinguishable architectural features. I do not want to put any Jeff collectors on the spot, but although I no longer collect Jeffs, I have seen better, stronger Monticello strikes in lesser grades. In every other respect, the coin is outstanding [and if they ever catch the guy who vandalized the steps, I hope he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.] Should any seasoned veteran feel my observation is unwarranted and/or heretical, I am prepared to be appear before the Star Chamber, if summoned.🐓

Skulking, I've heard of. Slunking, I don't believe I have. But I know better than to challenge the Great One. Edit: Holy cow, there is such a word!

I am surprised you knew that! I only found out recently that the "horn of plenty" placed to the right of the date was added as an anti-counterfeiting measure.

To be honest, this hat-wearing spectacle, which includes man and beast, is now most pronounced at the so-called annual Easter Parade which is nothing more than parishioners exiting St. Patrick's Cathedral onto Fifth Avenue after the second late morning service in eye-catching costumes and headwear.

@Woods020 Much as I hate to admit it, your first year of Issue Mercury has a lot more detail than the Centennial "business strike" I got rendered in gold. Great acquisition! 👍

@VKurtB: re eye surgeons... I believe you are correct. (Unfortunately, the Board Guidelines, the Moderators and their on-call chaperones, while allowing me the courtesy of acknowledging your comment, will not permit elaboration. You understand.)

@RWB I have two opinions about this matter, regrettably neither complimentary, but then what would one come to expect from a self-described rank- amateur? I did not see the term "Phrygian cap" used, but no matter, to me whatever the concept it was meant to symbolize, does nothing to enhance the side-view facial truncated representation of Liberty. In fact, where used, it looks downright unflattering and shabby. Jacqueline Kennedy's pillbox by comparison was simple, fashionable and quite becoming. The other less complimentary impression I haven't been able to shake is that of the 19th century ruffian selling penny papers wearing, what else? An oversized newsboy's cap. Fashionable women and ladies attending church services wear fancy hats with wide brims adorned with flowers, ribbons, feathers... or nothing at all. I believe a simple headband engraved with "LIBERTY" as can be found on many coins works best. I have no problem deferring or genuflecting to those far more grounded in the hobby that I ever will be.

Exposure to exposure can be overexposure, depending on age. I do not know the first thing about photography, but my gut feeling is we're not talking about Vogue. 🐓

The chin strike (obv) and the inter-bite mark (rev) do little to diminish that quality mint-mark. (And if @VKurtB is busy elsewhere, I love the transitory toning!)

The membership, myself included, clearly enjoy hearing from you. 🐓

Never heard of those but will definitely make a note of it. My wife and I both have cataracts. My sister calls our situation "the blind leading the blind." In deference to my wife's difficult life and devotion to God, I let her call the shots. Every day, when she turns to me and says, [Ahn ah-LAY, cherie!] it's is not a suggestion; it's a civil command to return to jail (our home) where she, naturally, is the capo di tutti capo. The seven years we've spent together have been the best years of my life. 🐓

I intuitively knew your better half was not accompanying you on your globetrotting forays replete with reckless eyeballing opportunities and other exotic fringe benefits, but at least you brought home the bacon. 😉

You've actually done a lot better than you think you did! Their MS coins (MS-63 and MS-64 only) lie between their XF/EF coins (which we define as AU-55 to MS-62) and their UNC (which we define as from MS-65 to MS-70). Convoluted, but ultimately the reason why your armchair protégé chose to avoid CHARDS: I do not believe they sell certified coins. (And as a Set Registrant, a range of raw just doesn't cut it.) Congratulations! 🐓

SOME THOUGHTS ON ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS. . . Not for nothing, but I anticipate a time when a member jumps onto the Forum and introduces an unusual twist to this whole discussion of ethics, or lack thereof. His argument will be a novel one but not without merit. He will argue that when he submitted his rare incontestably valuable world coin to be authenticated, certified and encapsulated, it was worth X dollars. By the time he got it back, due to what many would regard as an unacceptable and indefensible turnaround time, the collector/investor/numismatist was involuntarily forced to forfeit a substantial amount of his item's value. When a term like "estimated turnaround" becomes inestimable and and indeterminate so as to be meaningless, its definition, particularly as used in an industry recognized for its volatility, is actionable. Note: the entire asterisked microprinted, headnote, reading: "Turnaround time is approximate, not guaranteed, and begins the day NGC receives your coins...." are words the meanings of which inevitably --written disclaimer notwithstanding -- are for a jury to decide. 🐓

(Yes, but I will bet you will never see a computer-chipped NFT one from PCGS nor any of their much heralded 2020 (P) or 2020 (S) Emergency Issues, so deflowered.)

Aw c'mon, Great One! No arrest, no conviction, and a verdict isn't even it yet! Be patient.

To the OP... Anyone who can unequivocally state he has never encountered so much as an eye-opening comment at any time on this Forum shall be in for a rude awakening. Most of us will discover it is impossible to know every aspect of the hobby. The only consolation I, as a newer member, has is there are some things (pardon my word choice) I am not privy to -- and sadly never will be. Therefore, let us celebrate the time we have together with the likes of thoroughbreds the OP has yet to enjoy interacting with who will regal him personal experiences, research based on original official records -- and a sense of humor with a practical application to this great hobby. 😉

Very lovely denticles! Now if he'd've messed with them he'd've been hearing from me pronto!

The Great Zadok has spoken! (Thanks for making my day!) 🐓

[Afterthought: As it is tantamount to committing a sin to contradict the Mighty Conder, with whom no one has ever won an argument, I researched all the material available on SSN's and then checked my own records and was horrified to learn I had gotten my own SS card in 1964, when I was only 13 (and original Morgan Dollars were still available at a local bank for the asking.) It goes without saying the SSA has undergone a number of cataclysmic changes since then. Accordingly, I would like to apologize to those members who privately questioned the veracity of what I had written. 🐓

The problem here appears to be one of first blush. What is a polite way to tell a gentlemen -- new member or not -- who's "been collecting, buying and selling coins" for over 40 years that it would be advisable, if within the realm of possibility, to submit a coin for authentication and certification, i.e., encapsulation, minus dirt and oxidation so as to present it to the discriminating customer in the most favorable light possible? 🐓