Henri Charriere

Okay, so herewith the $60,000 question: if not "wear," however defined and by whom, what is it that distinguishes a Mint State 60 from all the other Mint State designations, and does wear become a factor in coins only adjudged AU-59, and under? I sense there are graders lurking out there muttering, "you wouldn't understand," but that's the point. Extraordinary exceptions are made all the time -- chop-marks on Trade Dollars, for example -- as well as nonsense I refuse to accept, such as technical vs. market grading. A formal grade should be just that accompanied by symbols running the gamut from those denoting schmutz to examples exhibiting exceptional eye appeal.

Once again, the Great Zadok has spoken. It warms the very cockles of my heart knowing at least one collector is deliriously happy with the way things are going in this hobby, or investment scheme, however you choose to view it.

[Well, glad we got that out of the way. If anyone asks, tell them old Quintus is probably fussing over his Roosters...]

They're all keepers in my book. And the fact you got them now, some 60 years after they were made is nothing less than extraordinary. If an ordinary Lincoln costs two cents to make with only a smidgen of cosmetic copper, you can just imagine what these bad boys are worth -- and we haven't even factored in their potential numismatic worth. This is what a coin shortage does: it has all manner of coins coming out of drawers and jars. This is the best part of coin collecting: The Hunt. Way I see it, you were a winner before you looked at the very first date. Good for you!

To quote Rick of Pawn Stars fame: "So now that we know what it is, what's it worth?"

I wish, just for once, I could say your coin bears a striking resemblance to the fabled '55, but in all good conscience I cannot. Barring that, I wish I were able to see what you see, or think you see. Better you hear this from me than those whose dismissiveness is ill-mannered and borders on the profane.

As I have indicated elsewhere, I see CAC as being powerless and superfluous to force change. What's really needed is a board of elders with the power to review and overrule a determination, as necessary. If my cross-grade request is denied or my application for a CAC is shelved, I need an independent court of appeals comprised of members with lifetime appointments with no axe to grind or benefit to derive to examine a coint independent from all outside influence to decide by a simple majority. Without one, we are spinning wheels and engaging in abominable de-encapsulations.

Precisely.

I think it safe to say if you follow the directions on Submission Forms assiduously, you will experience no problems, save for long turn-around times. The carriers used have made errors but considering the volume of mail dealt with, this is to be expected though will be little consolation to the collector of high-value coins, registration and insurance, notwithstanding. In transit mishaps are what disturbs me. Who has not found a parcel unattended on the street after having fallen off a steel, one-sided hand truck. With payphones and standing telephone booths gone, thieves have resorted to stealing packages off broken-into trucks, doorsteps, fishing mail out of trucks and invasion robberies of homes and businesses. But getting Back on Track as my two colleagues are fond of reminding us, the TPGS facilities are inviolate. I myself have regularly found small padded envelopes with overseas tracking numbers requiring signature, placed into my mailbox. I have even had to track down a parcel containing gold roosters llst amongst three post offices but that's par for the course. With the exception of NevadaS&G, I am unaware of any shenanigans involving a TPGS. After all, their livelihood and existence is dependent on reliability and reutation.

I vaguely remember the 25th Edition and am aware of a few "special" editions in between. Goes to show you how long I have been out of touch with the hobby. I understand the earliest editions have always been collector's items in their own right. If you collect U.S. coins, the Red Book is a good introductory reference. I am sure it has many more pages now and the adoption of the spiral-bound edition was a good, practical move.

Have you never seen wear on a lower-tier Mint State coin? What we have now is akin to varying stages of pregnancy from conception to full term. Put another way, what's causing all the wear visible enough to make a distinction between MS-60.... MS-63.... MS-65.... MS-67 on up to MS-7O if none are supposed to exhibit it. On a related tack, why are PROOF coins being graded at all? Understand, I am not directing these pointed queries to you personally. I am merely trying to understand a phenomenon that's been going on for a very long time with the mutual assent of all parties.

The Feuchtwanger is the coin I always wanted but never had. I believe yours is the finest example I've seen yet.

I will and I can assure you she will be most flattered from eliciting a thank you directly from the owner of this and your other unique treasures!

My wife took one look at this, and said: "Il est tres beau!", or It is very beautiful! And that, it is.

CHAMPION LOAD OF LOGS WEIGHT: 144 TONS and only two horses?

That appears to be the sad, sorry truth -- and I for one politely decline to quibble with a virtual walking encyclopedia on coins. Conder is a contender!

Maybe it's me; maybe I'm the problem. What is the definition of UNCIRCULATED now, in 2021. Since when did coins never released into circulation, the very definition of Uncirculated, suddenly become something that by definition they are not -- and can never be. It's too bad VKurtB is busy battling tropical storms and tornados because I know he knows the answer.

I don't engage in this type of activity but if I did I would screen first. You're talking 700 rolls, each of which can be pushed out with one finger and screened quickly for their tell-tale inner copper ring. The silver quarter has a distinct brighter color and no distinct copper edge. Realistically, finding any silver quarters is the easy part. Re-rolling them (should you forgo a coin counting machine) is the labor-intensive, time-consuming part.

Modwriter, this is not to single you out, or anyone else for that matter, but this matter, in pertinent part as segregated above, was the subject of my recent diatribe elsewhere. Question: How can one expect to find Mint State coins -- which by their very definition are Uncirculated, in change, which implies in Circulation?

Never seen this one before. Too bad they never got a chance to finish that giant guillotine on top of the Capitol.

Shock and awe! (The reverse? For what? THIS IS IT!) 😉

I'm a huge proponent of self-education and knowledge.... 3) .... Now, get dealer networks to play along and wholla... I have only three questions: 1. Thirty years and three hundred thousand dollars later, you and your seasoned associates are only now getting around to asking these questions? Had you, or your associates, ever ventured into anyone's chat board before? 2. You bill yourself a huge proponent of self-education and knowledge. What resources have you, and your associates, been relying upon to date? 3. By "wholla" did you mean voila! No further questions...

I've never seen anything like these. You've got quite a collection -- and an eye for the best available coins.

Surely you jest! "Tickety-boo,"[British slang] fine, excellent, in working order, etc. Made popular by Danny Kaye who sang it in a charming ditty in the 1958 comedy musical Merry Andrew in a scene where, according to my physical dictionary, he rides a bike in "a state of uncompromised bliss." (There is a two-minute snippet of it captured on video.) If you are so disposed, use the search engine of your choice and tap in: "Danny Kaye tickety-boo meaning."

They seem to know where to take their prized possessions: Rick's of PAWN STARS fame.