Henri Charriere

Agreed. And at year's end, with so much uncertainty in the air, ... an unresolved election, a raging pandemic, unemployment benefits running out, an outbreak of hostilities somewhere in the world, migrants breaching the northern border of a Narco-state, climate change, 35 named storms (hurricanes in November?) massive deforestation (Brazil, Madagascar) oceans depleted of fish, melting polar ice cap/mountain glaciers, disappearing Monarch butterflies [and yellow cabs] etc... a portent of things to come and there will be people sitting around lamenting the good old days when gold was "only $3,000 an ounce."

Nevertheless, vibrant -- or more accurately, an aspect that is suggestive of vibration.

+ 1

Bet. If anyone asks I will tell them you extended an invitation, which I accepted, and I subsequently decided to stick around. 😉

[That's an awful lot of rhetorical flash-bangs there, VKurtB! After a presumably comprehensive background check, I was accepted as a member at CT, so how heavily moderated can it be? Then again, I won't really know until I summon the courage to speak up over there. Either way, it doesn't look very promising. Thing is, no one has a right to post anywhere. It is a privilege which can either be denied at the outset or revoked. This Forum makes that crystal clear in its Guidelines. I can play nice here, (DINA's Law) or go play elsewhere. Fair enough.]

Scary implications, but ain't that the truth.

U.S. Savings Bonds pay interest but when one factors in the inflation rate -- or so I recall hearing years ago, they make for a poor investment choice. By your definition, every last one of us is a coin collector whether our tangible assets appreciate in value, or do not. (Tough call made tougher by that head-pounding emoji! 😉)

Outstanding! Good work! Who doesn't like Barbers -- dimes, quarters or halves?

Puerto Rico and Hawaii both had their own coinage and currency in the 19th Century. I believe the U.S. dollar is El Salvador's official currency (as well as 3 other nations whose names I cannot recall). All retain their sovereignty. Re: euro. To me, loss of a country's currency = loss of identity. [Wampum, anyone?] 😉

["Wind shear" is the term used in NTSB aviation accident reports; I don't know the equivalent term in numismatics. 😉]

This straight-graded? As what? What about the meteor shower that obliterated whole letters? What about the reverse?

[Congratulations! You have achieved your goal.]

One of the more curious observations made in Mark Salzberg's letter (not yet two month's old at post-time) comes within its closing lines: "We are only in the earliest stages of the convergence of the collecting and investing worlds, and there are still incredible opportunities for growth." (Emphasis mine.) Whether you can appreciate the humor in this depends on when you were born and how long you've been collecting.

[Glad to hear that. Maybe, just maybe, they'll be able to solve one of life's enduring mysteries: where have all the 20-franc gold roosters gone?

And maybe a smidgen of sensitivity training... "He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured."

I can take a hint... The grown-up hat is [back] on. (I don't think I can take getting sent to bed, nite after nite, without my supper, again.) 😉

[Interesting preference. The author, at the very least, will be pleased to learn at least one reader and devoted fan feels -- while not exactly a mover-and-shaker -- he has had enough of an outsized presence in numismatics as Henry Ford and his assembly line had on automobiles. The ultimate compliment.]

Can't wait to see your "Report from Dahlonega," when that time comes.

Godspeed!

[The very traits which have made Gucci a brand-name with worldwide recognition.]

With the exception of the above, an observation which speaks to motive unsupported by eyewitness testimony, surveillance camera footage and surmise or belief presented in the absence of sufficient evidence, I completely agree.

Sure would like to know when this little jewel was mounted and where it spent the last 100+ years unmolested in suspended animation. Never seen anything like this.

They say never say never but you've racked up a significant number of road trip and frequent flyer miles to back up your assertion and er, uh, prognostication. I've always been a "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" type of bloke but I suppose being risk-averse means never having to say you're sorry. Can't argue with success.

I'm speechless. I don't know whether to assume these shenanigans pertain only to Saints (unlikely) or their tentacles extend to every corner of the coin realm. For my own peace of mind, I think it best to pretend I never read about any of these truly troubling developments. Nice investigative work.

That's the beauty of TPGS. No need for photographs. No need to have anything in hand. (Aren't you the chap who said adapt and embrace the change?) If a reputable member/seller, like Ratzie33, tells me he's got a certified 1902 Rooster at MS-64, or better, all I need to know is how much, and where to send the money. Makes no difference whether NGC or PCGS (with or w/o state-of-the-art NFC [chip] technology). Piece of cake. Sho nuff.