Henri Charriere

[All the mergers in the world are not going to resuscitate a Forum without the gruff, reassuring voice of VKurtB. Me thinks the move south has tamed him. Either that or the emergence of a deadly strain of the virus emanating of late from the UK has exasperated him and put a crimp in his retirement travel plans. You are sorely missed wherever you are, dear friend!]

"I'm funny, how? Like I'm a clown? I'm here to amuse you?" (Tommy, in Goodfellas (1990).

[This is the nicest '16 I've seen -- with or without a mint mark.]

What, not one Rooster?

And the unpublicized, surreptitious installation of anti-trolling hardware is working magnificently.

But you were the one who said, and I quote: "I will gladly pay you face value plus postage..." Forget 1964, are you aware a run-of-the-mill Wartime nickel is worth one dollar based on silver content alone?

I see you've given your emoji power of attorney to speak on your behalf. Good show!

Very lovely! First 67+ I have ever seen for any coin! Always loved Mercs. This one is a rare gem!

A coin I purchased [not further identified due to the possibility of incurring VKurtB's wrath] and listed as FDC (Fleur De Coin) or a range of from MS-65 to MS-70 USA, was formally graded by PCGS as MS-64+, a personal loss to me on two fronts: economically, with bank wire transfer and conversion costs from USD to euros, and, disqualification from the high standard I had set for myself on their Set Registry. Though I had the option of returning the "merchandise" and in so doing incurring further costs (and the risk inherent in all international transactions, I chose to pretend none of this ever happened adopting MarkFeld's stance that what I had purchased was merely an "opinion.

[This must be the positive side to "money laundering" we seldom hear about.) 😉

At the risk of confirming my rank amateur status, I must say I have never ever seen "centering dots" and this is the very first time I have ever even heard of them -- and I have been collecting all manner of U.S. coins since Marilyn Monroe passed in 1962.

Neither do I, but only time and the forums' bottom line will dictate whether this tweak will have to be re-tweaked.

I agree. And yes, I would have assigned it an MS-64+ grade, without question. That's a very healthy, strong "CC" mintmark. All around stunning coin you can be rightly proud of!

I know there are members of the Forum who've just about had enough of hearing about Quintus Arrius and his collection of French 20-franc gold roosters but I have never been able to consult a single source here, or ATS, that can provide me with the information I need beginning with authorized mintages of the series, how many were believed to survive, an accurate accounting of how many have been certified and an estimate as to their present value. Contrary to what many may believe, this information is not available. The results of auctions are meaningless. The highest grading tiers are shrouded in secrecy. The only way I was able to compile a decent collection (#1 @ PCGS) is by accepting any offer being made. Fair Market Value does not begin to address the true value of something so elusive no one can get a handle on how many exist and where they are. It is my considered opinion that anyone who tries to emulate me will rapidly come to the realization he is, or will soon become, in over his head. It is a time and labor intensive experience. I set the bar high for myself and am in too deep to quit now. But as far as I can determine, there is no single source world coin price guide available from anyone. In the unique top grades, pop. 1, none higher, the buyer and seller determine the price.

Never been in the place myself. My wife speaks French. To my knowledge, it simply means the best of the best.

I am still concerned with the decision, apparently made up on high, to conceal a poster's cumulative mileage at a glance. Has it levelled the playing field? Yes. All are equal. But the downside was illustrated recently when a relative newcomer posed a question which, was initially answered by both RWB and MarkFeld -- odds that exceed that of picking the winning Powerball numbers. THE ORIGINAL POSTER DID NOT KNOW -- COULD NOT KNOW -- that she had snared opinions from the creme de la creme, at the very outset. Running tallies are important. There are seasoned veterans that weigh in regularly that have racked up mind-boggling frequent-flier miles. There are members who've been around for years, but volunteer comment occasionally and sparingly. And then there are the quite vocal members who, unlike the usual newbie, wreak havoc by engaging the entire forum at the very outset. I would like to formally request the odometer be restored. The giant yellow arrow powered by hydraulic pressure is useful but mileage is indispensable to give members a context or yardstick by which to measure one's contemplated response.

Respectfully, now that a verdict has been rendered, Liberty Seated Dime, regular strikes, 1866-S PCGS [4644]? MS-62, which they describe in their latest bi-monthly Rare Coin Market Report as: "will have no wear on high points. There may be considerable marks and abrasions and some may be severe. Some may not be full and eye appeal may be negative. Luster may be dull," I am inclined to concur with the grading decision but continue to be puzzled by a Mint State scale that suggests something akin to Not Pregnant and Full-term Pregnancy, with gradations (based on months along in pregnancy) in between. In all fairness, if grading could be done through the virtual submission of photographed examples, in-hand grading could be dispensed with. The Report suggests an actual retail price of $5,000.-$6500. Any discussion as to whether the coin appears to have been circulated would be an academic exercise. I agree with your concerns and, quite frankly, am puzzled as to how a coin struck as a circulation strike, for release into circulation, can attain Uncirculated, Mint State status.

[I must be getting real old. The only time I have ever heard the term "privy" used was in reference to a toilet in an outhouse.]

The tetregrammaton I am familiar with but this is outer-worldly... thanks!

[What is the correct pronunciation of your user name?]

I hope we get to see the OP's "thick and heavy" coin. I may be a roostermeister but I am a copper man at heart.

[I personally feel the possibility of "error" is best addressed, in the beginning, when the product is fresh and new and not years later when any number of agents may be responsible for a degraded state.]

[As Eddie Murphy in Trading Places was heard to say to the chauffeur driving the Duke brothers around: "Thanks. You've been very helpful."]

Nevertheless, I am weak and all of you are strong.

But why? Would fine-tuning the calibration of all the moving parts -- or slowing down the line help, or is this the unavoidable result of heavy metal striking metal? Is this seen in other world coinage?