Henri Charriere

Bear in mind, I am merely quoting Wikimedia. I am only the messenger.

T-B/SOL (note to myself) One valid piece of advice: regardless or age or provenance, bargain box or Cracker Jack box, accustom yourself to holding ALL coins, regardless of known or perceived value, properly, by their edges. This will hold you in good stead as you rise through the ranks of the hobby.

... I do not think I can be a part of anything that sees nothing wrong with this ... if there is any truth to this whatever, it bodes ill for the hobby, ten and twenty years hence ... (Reminiscent of the 2001 movie, "Training Day," where Denzel Washington turns to Ethan Hawke, and says, in substance, Forget about everything you learned in the police academy.) This is one of the reasons why prices I saw in the Red and Blue Books, various newspapers and sheets, as I discovered early on, had no bearing in New York City. From the 1960's on, the city's dealers always marched to the beat of a different drummer. One of the questions assiduously avoided on the Forum is: "What do you reasonably hope to get for the coin you bought when it comes time to sell?" Fortunately, the inexorable rise in gold has effectively wiped out whatever mistakes I made or misgivings I may have had in compiling one of the finer collections of certified, century-old, French gold coins. 🐓

Back on Track "The $5 denomination has the distinction of being the only denomination for which [gold] coins were minted at eight US Mints." Wikipedia - Distinctions "Although circulating half eagle products was discontinued in 1929, half eagle commemmoratives and $5 denominated (1/10 ounce bullion coins were minted at West Point starting in the late twentieth century. Proof coins were produced at Philadelphia from 1859 on." It appears, minus the "trick" fact included under Distinctions last, member Sandon came closest to providing the answer to the question. (Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, New Orleans, Carson City, Dahlonega, Charlotte -- and West Point.)

I suppose you could say my parents were atheists. That's why I turned out so good. 🤣

... percy... you mean Percival??? Enquiring minds want to know!

I have devoted the better part of an hour trying to locate this coin, without success. I have barraged eBay in the past on their practice of including, in addition to your coin, coins of other denominations, dates, mintmarks -- and other metals, e.g., gold. No luck. Solely on the strength of Coinbuf's input, I would reconsider the effort. Too much money is at stake for a coin that hasn't been certified and isn't in-hand. Malheureusement, I do not know if you need this coin, or simply want it. ( I saw quite a few offerings with different dates sporting original, gorgeous mint luster.) My search for Denver Coins, frustratingly included coins minted in Denver! Do me a giant favor and check two things right now: their written (advertised) return policy (if they have one) + Recent Reviews. Good luck, Mike!

Why all the wonderment? If "seek and ye shall find" doesn't help, there's an app for that: NGC's own dedicated Forum, "Ask NGC/NCS."

Only one coin had the distinction of being produced in eight different Mints. (If I can remember which it was, I will dutifully post the answer on Easter Sunday, otherwise known as April Fool's Day.)

Nothing I have read suggests a reason why the G-G Half-Eagle, as proposed, was abandoned in favor of the the recessed Indian. The matter under discussion, concerned, per Treasury letter dated Jan. 18, 1908, the "replacement" of IGWT, suggesting substitution. The gold half eagle design had undergone a number of changes in design, weight and specifications, particularly size. When introduced in 1795, and over a succession of years, the diameter of the coins shrank from 25 to 23.8 to 22.5 and finally 21.6 mm with the introduction of the Indian. However, seeing as how the designer of the contemporary 1909 Lincoln cent was able to accommodate the motto IGWT within a diameter of 19 mm, I am not persuaded inclusion of the motto had anything to do with jettisoning the S-G design.

Absolutely nothing is lost if we treat others the way we wish to be treated. The manner in which you are treated does not matter. Set your standard high, and keep your counsel.

I agree. As it stands, the gentleman has a superior coin with an incontestable provenance: "First Strike." How would he like all the attributes that go along with that sullied by a grade that may be less than stellar. Anything less than an MS-70 would be an unwanted distraction. IMHO.

I do not know the source for those percentages, but I believe the anecdotal evidence suggests as much. I do not believe cannibalization of U.S. Mint products was as widespread as it is now with the advent of TPG certifications.

I'll allow it. He is in search of the Truth that Leads to Eternal Life.

(Saved yourself a bundle on an unnecessary submission costs. Go out and get yourself a strawberry milk shake.)

"Why is there no mint mark?" Reminiscent of the voice heard in the Garden of Eden: "Who told you you were naked?"

(Oh, saw you in that old-school hip-hop video, All that Jazz, when you wuz with Stetsasonic.)

🐓: First time in my life I saw "I'll" spelled as "il." Q.A.: It happens. I just hope he doesn't do that over there. "Incapacitated?" I don't think he was talking about the coin!!! Ah, well.

IGWT had appeared on smaller coins for decades at this juncture. The Two-Cent piece first minted in 1864, bore the motto first. It had a diameter of 23 mm. The Lincoln Head cent, likely in design stage in 1908, had a diameter of 19.05 mm and has sported this motto since 1909, a year after the letter was written, and presumably without complication. The Half-Eagle, minted since 1839, had a 21.6 mm diameter [only 6/10 mm larger than a French 20-franc gold rooster]. If a Lincoln Head, with a smaller diameter than the Half-Eagle, could be rendered with the motto, I fail to see why placing it on the Half-Eagle would have presented a problem. My .

I do not believe fear of confiscation would be a consideration. I also do not believe it is in anybody's collection. I do know, wherever it is, it would command a sky's-the-limit price at auction.

It is not a debacle by any means. Incrementalization, I feel, was a mistake and the fact that TPG hasn't caught on in Europe decades after its introduction, is telling. The 10-point scale appeals to my esthetic sense, but how I feel is not important. It's the up-and-coming generation and certifications of other collectibles that use the scale, that really matters. I am guessing this is being marketed with those younger collectors in mind. It will have no effect on dinosaurs like me. Everything that is already certified will remain entombed in their respective sarcophagi.

🐓: Wrong coin, notwithstanding, a member was still able to provide the OP with an answer to his question! Q.A.: Is this place great or what? Man I love this place! 🤣

I would post it in the Ask NGC column. Maybe someone will recognize the "knot" and distinctive denticles.

Glad you dropped by. Nice hearing from you!

Crypto is for young people who can afford to take some risk. I am 72 and do what old folks do: talk about the weather and what ails me.