Henri Charriere

From the looks of the end coins on the twelve rolls of 1776-1976 Ikes (120coins) I picked up at a local bank (I assume never wants to see them again) I really ought to confirm my theory they were held hoping they would appreciate some day. And, who knows, I may very well discover hitherto unknown varieties and mutants and barring that, be compelled to offer to donate the most presentable Ikes to young collectors who've never seen them on that post where such random acts of kindness are encouraged. Coin, padded envelope and postage on me.

For some reason, I find that I can find no fault with that reasoning which means any coin collector who manages to acquire red encapsulated cents deserves a premium.

The peripheral toning on the Buffaloes are superb. I dare VKurtB to say one unkind word about any of them!

The one thing I haven't mentioned is the rise in popularity of TPGS. European coin emporiums have acknowledged U.S. collector demand for their services and have responded accordingly. Bear in mind, coin prices overseas already run higher.

Which, of course, begs the question: What does one in pristine clean condition go far? I guess the answer to that is whatever a collector or investor or speculator is willing to pay for it at auction.

I long ago resigned myself to the very real probababiliy that I will unlikely to recover my total outlay. I base this on the fact that certified coins on what I regard as the top leading economic indicators, census figures, continue to climb, dashing all my hopes for landing a unique example. That, and one other thing... An unknown member (to me) who quietly assembled a collection of Top Grade roosters which, but for the exception of thirty-plus collectors, debuted at #3 on NGC, effectively knocking everyone one else down one notch. I am still #1 @ PCGS, but his strategy and commitment cannot help but give the rest of us pause. This is the risk one takes when using titles like, "all-time finest" and "world's finest."

But what do you sat to a seasoned veteran like VKurtB who last year outright questioned the "desirability" of any collection that can be assembled in 90 days, or less?

[Thought I'd bait you with something Weegee used whose name, understandably, would be unfamiliar to new and younger coin collectors. 😉 My childhood friend had a nice Leica. With the advent of cell phones, they had a good laugh about seven years ago when I walked into a CVS and asked what happened to all the disposable one-use portable pocket cameras. I believe Willoughy and Peerless are the only survivors of Photography Row In the Penn Station area.]

I love the all and the dark backgrounds on some accentuate the positive aspects of all. That Jefferson is something else. Fantastic find!

What does the guide book say were the years of circulation for this coin? If there are signs of wear, I don't see any. This is one of the more interesting [generic] tokens I have seen. If you have to ask, Which 'coffee shop?, you're obviously not from the area. Never seen anything like it. Nice find.

😂 My understanding of this pandemic is with or without the vaccine. -- there are so many variants to the virus and varieties and errors to the vaccines developed thus far -- that you will still have to wear a mask. On a side note, I cannot recall the last time there was a coin show in New York City and that's probably why I have never been to one.

That rules out aluminum which is what I thought it looked like, however unlikely. Thanks for checking!

I agree.

[I never heard of either designation or the reference to "Appalachian" nickels in the link.]

[I am still trying to picture you running around with your 4 x 5 speed graphic at coin shows.] 😉

[Not to belabor the matter but there was an earlier reference to "white metal." Anyone know what a genuine coin's composition is, or is supposed to be?]

[It is still a sensitive subject that is openly discussed behind closed doors by the few surviving war veterans of the period who, despite the losses and devastation, are still unapologetically loyal to the old order no different from those who participated in campaigns waged by Stalin, Pol pot and the empire of Japan.]

I don't believe I have ever seen one of these before. My gut instinct tells me it's something very special. It will be interesting to read the feedback on this.

This comment goes so way beyond the pale it makes Insider's parting shot that no one is entitled to free medical care quite tame by comparison. I wonder where VKurtB stands on this...?

"Values... and symbols of values." That's all there was to it? And the 1943. What about the 1943 copper whatchamacallit? And what does the OP make of all this???

Libraries, Lectures, Laboratories and Museums... Nice combination. That's one unique token with a fascinating history to go along with it!

[My mom, deceased, was born in Yalta, U.S.S.R. When she became an American citizen, the (INS) issued her a certificate indicating her date of birth as February 31, 1921. I have no idea as to the source of the information the government relied on in making that determination but challenge anyone to produce a more bizarre official government document.]

There is no reason why any coin minted in just the last decade should look like this. Whether it is worth ten cents depends on who would accept it.

The face of West 57th Street has changed dramatically. Many of the tallest high rise luxury towers have re-defined the area. The Pontiac showroom, Hoffritz cutlery, Coliseum Books, etc. are all long gone. Even the D.E.A. moved. The real estate pressure was too intense. Coincidentally, Brigandi Coins, Heritage Auction's New York office -- and Stack's are all within a block of each other from E 57th Street and Park Ave. though it is not clear to me whether they have resumed normal operations.