Henri Charriere

[What I see here -- which a true collector may find offensive -- is essentially a pile of faux copper featuring a few prime candidates for experiments in cleaning by the mad scientist in the laBORatory that resides in us all. Nothing more. Nothing less.] 😉

Re the '61 Roosevelt... in the world of Peter Paul Mounds, this would be characterized as "indescribably delicious." In the staid world of numismatics, it would be assigned a hyphenated number.

[Speaking strictly as a chiffonnier, I should like to think one [wo]man's trash is another man's treasure. As a matter of fact, if it were not for the Hollow Nickel Case, historically speaking, the names Gary Powers and Rudolf Ivanovich Abel probably would have never been inextricably linked with the U-2 spy plane shot down over Russia.]

[Well, there goes my rarely observed, exceedingly rare, beveled edge Walker theory right out the window.]

[I regret to say my explanation regarding the mintmark -- arguably the most implausible remarks ever posted on this Forum -- were quietly edited out without comment.] 😉

Thanks, GF!

One font used on one side; another used on the other. An absolutely gorgeous #5 and an ampersand written the way it was when it used to be the 27th letter of the alphabet. Great stuff, Just Bob!

Now that we have established that, why the double-loop in the l ? Oh, I get it. The engraver made a mistake but the manufacturer did not wish to embarrass him by emphasizing it, right? I love Token Tuesdays!

It's either Trade, Jingle, Girdle or Giraffe -- none of which make sense.

[I wish Joan "Can we talk?" Rivers, the stand-up comic and talk show host, were still alive so we could really get to the bottom of some of the anything but constructive criticism lobbed cryptically with complete abandon on this site. For example, the unsupported allegation by one observer that the coin appears to be a fake and having doubts on the shape of the two. In what respect? Elaborate! Or, again supported by no evidence, having doubts as to the authenticity or genuineness of a coin and having "strong doubts" that it "looks fake." How is that being helpful? Then, the coup de grace. Holding back nothing, a member, apparently forgetting he is addressing his remarks to a member who will be directing them at his fledgling daughter, intones: "The coin looks a bit strange to me," again without saying how or why. If you are inclined to render a diagnosis, kindly provide a summary of symptoms. When we take the time to offer a comment or observation, let us try to be a little more helpful and informative -- and mindful of the special bond nine years in the making between father and daughter. And if the matter deserves further investigation or inquiry, state the reason why. It is the least we can do for one of our own as we welcome him back into the fold after a prolonged absence.]

Half Dollar for a gallon of gas! Now that's worth fighting for. But wait, there were no cars then. Ohhh, I get it. Great piece!

WHY IT'S CALLED THE SPANISH FLU... IN 1918, WITH THE WORLD WAR RAGING, NONE OF THE COMBATANTS WAS WILLING TO LET THE OTHERS KNOW THAT THE FLU WAS SPREADING THROUGH ITS ARMY, POTENTIALLY DECIMATING ITS TROOPS. BUT IN MAY, WHEN THE VIRUS REACHED SPAIN, WHICH WAS NOT A PARTICIPANT IN THE CONFLICT, AND THE KING WAS STRICKEN, THERE WAS NO SUCH RETICENCE. HE SURVIVED THE ILLNESS (AS DID WOODROW WILSON) AND EVER AFTER IT WAS KNOWN AS THE SPANISH FLU. -AM/METRO, MARCH 23, 2021

Just logged in to CoinTalk, and this is the response I got: "(You have insufficient privileges to reply here.)" I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

To be clear -- before I get more javelins thrown at me, I do not advocate the use of any agent on a collectible. If you have something in your possession, that clearly exhibits little or no numismatic or collector value, and you're literally salivating at the thought of playing Mad Scientist for "research purposes," by all means do so. But If in your travels you come across a 1913 U.S. nickel with what you feel is an odd oversized letter V on its reverse, it's best to refrain from doing anything to make it look better until you get a qualified second opinion. As a general rule, "cleaning" of any kind is looked down upon in this hobby, and rightly so. Note to those submitting photos to fellow members via the appropriate thread for clarification, appraisal -- or amusement: bear in mind this is a Forum open to members of every stripe and economic status. Try to express yourself clearly and in presentable fashion. Wash your hands, brush and trim your nails, choose your words with caution -- and display your coins properly, by their edges. Remember, first impressions count. I do not wish to speculate as to whether any of the foregoing applies to a valued member like Alex of PA who can express his thoughts concisely and coherently with the presentation of a single appropriately animated colorful emoji. Alright Idhair, Back on Track...

When a member presents a satisfactory [pixelated] image of an example minus the presence of telltale prongs I think it safe to say it is in his possession and was sold to him "as is" and now that he has it he'd like to know exactly what he's got. The coin, never intended for mass circulation, has an interesting history. There are 170+ images of this commemorative quarter presented on eBay should the OP wish to compare his with theirs and Wikipedia indicates prices of $325. for an AU-50 and $3,750 "in near pristine" for an MS-60. To be fair, on eBay you will find such coins going for less, and some well into the $4,000 range. It is worth pointing out that cleaned coins described as such may be found as well. I am inclined to suggest the coin be submitted for certification.

Actually, when the Forum was in an uproar a few weeks back and you innocently asked, Who is this Nevada guy, among other things I knew you were straight as an arrow just like my wife: upright, blameless and without sin. I call her Jobecita. Her father was a pastor and a stern taskmaster. We didn't date (I later learned she never had a best friend, even in school until after we got married and I do not believe any member of our surviving famlies are aware we have never consummated the marriage. It is our first and we are both in our mid-to-late Sixties. Incidentically, CoinTalk is just that. Excomunicating someone may make you feel like God but only their accountants -- and Clairol hairdressers, know for sure. ..

I am going to make my alias, UrbanRenewal37. 😉

Lemme see... How shall I word this... Okay, got it: I know this is blasphemous bordering on the sacrilegious but, be honest, have you ever experienced a lapse of judgment and thought, if only for a fleeting moment, and wondered what would happen if you sprayed WD-40 on this, both sides, and let it sit overnight? That's the one "dip" or "cleaning agent" I have never heard mentioned in any post.

[What enquiring minds want to know is what David Vagi of NGC would say after he examines the coin, puts away his loupe and Rick of Pawn Stars fame asks him the only question that ever seems to be on his mind: "So, what's it worth"? Anybody want to hazard a guess? Anybody want to suggest certification and encapsulation if only to protect it's apparently pristine condition considering its age?

Minus the entirely gratuitous mention of magnets, you all but insured your initial post would self-implode before you even had a chance to call for help! (Even the Moderators are chuckling discreetly.) What about the non-disclosure agreement every contestant is asked to sign before going head-to-head with all the experts waiting in the wings ready to pounce at them with their aggregate century and a half of professional numismatic experience? Now, only three posts later, your call for help was answered, the gentlemen who were kind enough to respond threw you a life jacket and, obliged to assist you -- in the old days they used the term damsel in distress -- respectfully tied up the loose ends of this thread, laden with promising potential, and gave your threesome a decent burial in the site's archives. I am sure the membership appreciates your forthrightness, humor, civility and humbleness. You are an asset to the Forum and not afraid to speak up about something you sincerely seek clarification on. You came to the right place.

First time I have ever seen this type and probably the only coin in existence which can be identified as obverse or reverse just by looking at the [slanted/angled] denticles alone. Very fine example of a Mint state coin. Someone evidently took great care to preserve this coin. To pin down a grade, you would have to hear from someone who knows where to look for wear. Best to hear what others have to say, and why. Very lovely!

Upping the ante, are we? I wish I were there to see VKurtB's face when he gets a glimpse of this! Finest Rosie I have ever seen -- and in living technicolor at that. Brilliant!

Well, my friend. It looks like you found my Achilles' heel. I have been re-running this short clip (which I was previously unacquainted with) practically every day for the past month. Very entertaining!

The sharpest strike I have ever seen one of these! Great catch!

Keep playing. Membership in top-notch Mercs has its privileges. Your footwork accentuates the positive. I never knew Mercs could look so good. My mom, deceased, bless her south would have become infatuated with these crystal clear, impossibly beautiful gems! Nice work. I nominate the Walker-- if you do not wish to have it formally certified -- to be the set I have ever seen in my life! Att : Alex from PA and VKurbB has this remarkable coin put to rest The Last vestige of Sleepy Hollow? You, Buffalo Head (quoting Archhie Bunker) are something else!