Henri Charriere

26 minutes ago, VKurtB said:

That depends on the support of my wife for the effort. We've only begun to kick it around. If she's "all in", it's a done deal.

"Kick it around"?  Are you sure you're not Noo Yawkuz?

Just curious, as most collectors are aware, the 1995-W Proof ASE were cleverly ensconced in a multi-piece gold set.

The only way to acquire one was to purchase the set and defile its sarcophagus to obtain the only coin you were really interested in.  An expensive undertaking.

Making matters more complicated, a comparatively few number were minted.

Last I heard (I guess a quarter-century ago) those silver proofs, alone, were selling for $30,000.  Two minutes ago, 11/09/2020, 1245 hrs., I saw one being offered on eBay for $3,000.  I would like to know whether anyone has any feeling about this, whether you got in on the ground floor or not, and/or whether you cracked yours out or not.  In short, it's been 25 years.  How do you feel about it?

On 10/13/2020 at 8:58 PM, physics-fan3.14 said:

Poofing because I'm critical against an NGC decision is less preferred. 

Poofing because a member used extremely inappropriate language and imagery including Nazi memes and KKK slander against me is quite desired. 

Hopefully, some time before I pass, someone will provide me with the scientific evidence needed to correlate indiscriminate flatulence, or poofing, as it is referred to in the intricate world of numismatics, with a hobby intrinsically above reproach and those whose thoughts fail to hew to the party line.  

If censorship fails to achieve its desired chilling effect, and suspensions, probations, banishments, paroles and pardons prove insufficient, the powers that be can entertain the thought of bloodlust and reinstate drawing-and-quartering.  All in favor, say Aye!

On 11/5/2020 at 5:31 PM, Old Pueblo said:

Had a freaking nightmare finally got a Silver Eagle in my shopping cart but continued to have problems completing the transaction then suddenly what appeared to be a completed transaction, the web screen flashed that there was a "invalid product" in my shopping cart. Evidently the coins were sold out while one was in my shopping cart....that doesn't seem cool at all

I didn't get one, and I've been collecting them since the beginning in 1986! 

I have sent inquiry email to US mint, as the coin is still in my shopping cart

Not that what I am going to say will make a difference, but I sent the Mint several money orders totaling roughly $4,000 which was subsequently approved -- and then SILENCE.  Eventually, I made inquiry, discovered existing stocks were depleted, and rather than return my money orders they issued a government U.S. Mint check, which then lacking a checking account, cost me $73. to cash.  When the young cashier who spoke no English was unable to comprehend my reason for the purchase (bullion) I referred her to the telephone number on the check.  The one thing that sticks out in my mind is in all the flurry of excitement over a monstrous check, I was never asked to turn it over, sign it and provide written identification.  This incident and the many instances of buyers seemingly simultaneously outstripping supply has soured me on the Mint.

52 minutes ago, numisport said:

Hard to find this cameo this perfect.

Unless my circumstances change drastically, for the better, this is about as close to copper perfection I can ever hope to ever get close to.  If there is anything to distinguish this gem from a higher grade , I not only see it -- I cannot even imagine what it may be. Nice catch! Nothing in my modest holdings comes closer to approaching the Wow! factor. I am very impressed!

STILL HERE.

STILL STANDING.

STILL STRONG.

1 hour ago, GoldFinger1969 said:

Thanks QA....must have been a PC glitch, can't believe NGC didn't want NGC info posted here.

Wow, I actually bought a 1915-S earlier this year !

Are those performances YTD ?  Last year, going back 12 months ?

 

Yes.  Nov. 2019 - Nov. 2020.  If you can manage to access a copy you will find the actual dollar figures.  It seems to me the higher grades suffered a worse fate.  

***

As long as you mentioned the 1915-S, the one in MS63 rose 35% to $2300 from $1700.

Perhaps you can direct a reply to: ngcemails@ngccoin.com

Finally, the "Market Commentary" features Jeff Garrett:  Zoom Sa es the Day. (COVID-19 has forced the ANA to adapt to our new, virtual world) a lengthy piece you are sure to find interesting.

16 hours ago, GoldFinger1969 said:

I'm awaiting someone at NGC send me the newsletter you reference, but maybe you can tell me what the Top 5 and Bottom 5 and any commentary was referencing ?

I tried several times to get this information to you yesterday quoting a free NGC newsletter, to no avail.  Every attempt was either deleted en masse or blacked out under the all-inclusive "error."  I am going to try one more time:  the top five performers (minus dollar amounts) were:  1. 1915-S MS63, up 35%; 2. 1922 MS63, up 31%; 3.  1928 MS64, up 29%;  4. 1911-D MS63, up 27%,;  5.  1925 MS65, up 21%.

The bottom five performers were:  86.  1913 MS63, -7%;  87.  1907 HIGH RELIEF WIRE RIM, -9%;  88.  1911-D MS66, -14%;  89. 1926 MS66, -14%; and 90.  1924-S MS65, -25%

I don't know what upset the censors or why my reply to you was blocked,  but I do hope this is helpful (minus the prices.)

The following is but a figment of my mischievous imagination...

VKurtB volunteered to tackle the problem of the ANA buoyed by the prospect of having little choice but to duke it out with die-hards in the battleground state [Commonwealth] of PA.   In my dreams I fully expect him to knock the Board of Governors' door down with the same ranting and raving Barnacle Bill the Sailor displayed after he busted through Olive Oyl's door in the old Popeye cartoon.  So. not to worry.  Anyone who leaves his hometown in the middle of one of the most contentious Presidential elections in United States history obviously has a sense of purpose, proportion, propriety and priority.  If anyone can solve the mystery of the fate of the ANA, ultimately, it will be the "huff 'n' puff and blow 'em all down"-style well-suited to VKkurtB, a Type A contender on the elevated plain of old-fashioned ruggedness...  Then my dream ends.

13 hours ago, GoldFinger1969 said:

Can you provide a link ?  Not sure what you are referring to. 

Terribly sorry, I don't know how.   NGC provides a Weekly Market Report (this one is Nov 5, 2020, Vol. 10 Issue 45.)  It's a free news letter I always thought was sent to all members covering the entire U.S. spectrum indicating by how much percentagewise coins have appreciated or depreciated in value, unless you choose to unsubscribe. This week's installment focuses on Morgans and your Double Eagles. If you use the CLNTACT US feature, I am sure someone will be able to help you.

Not knowing much about the Gaudens gold DE series (1907-1933) I was curious as to whether you, the author or anyone else had any observations to make regarding today's release of NGC's five top and bottom performers.

On 11/3/2020 at 6:16 PM, Moxie15 said:

in 1881 that must have been the same as getting 3 million or more today. Cant imaging going down to the bank and walking out with that much cash

Gambling casinos are honor-bound to dispense a player's winnings in cash and do so routinely all the time.

[In addition, the 1978 expropriation at Lufthansa (unlike the trial run at the earlier $400,000 Braniff job) amounted to five separate parcels containing  $1.6 million each weighing 44 lbs. for a total of 220 lbs. in addition to the gold, jewelry and precious gems worth in excess of $850,000.

$2 million in cash (denominations unknown) weighing some 70 lbs were stolen from checked luggage at Eastern Airlines belonging to Republic, New York airfeld; Richard Floyd McCoy's payload jumping from the rear of a jet plane in 1972 with various smaller denominations amounted to half a million dollars and weighed approximately fifty pounds;  a bucket of gold scrap left on the loading platform of an unattended truck in New York City's Diamond District and stolen on impulse by a short, Colombian itinerant reportedly weighing 80 lbs with no pre-arranged fence for ed him to go door to door traveling the country resulting in his capture.]

4 hours ago, GoldFinger1969 said:

(1)  Wait a second Dena....if "going forward we will just delete entire threads" then you WILL be letting troublemakers derail 

4 hours ago, GoldFinger1969 said:

(1)  If a troll hopped onto the Roger Burdette Saint Gaudens thread...

[I believe a distinction must be made amongst the ne'er-do-wells in our midst.  While more knowledgeable members may beg to differ, the general line-up is hobo, tramp, vagabond, bum, rogues and rascals -- and trolls (a term regarded as a pejorative by some millennial devising logarithms in Nebraska to irritate PayPal users worldwide.  No self-respecting troll would dare tamper with the writings of RWB.]

(3)  Let someone know they have crossed the line.  Passions can get high, mostly on coin debates, but if things go off-topic or personal, give them a chance to correct the mistake. 

[While it may be true as NGC's King Troll I always act with malicious aforethought, and now have scores of Warnings, Suspensions -- and under-handed slights and shots to substantiate my claim, the truth is I would appreciate which of the thousands of slights was anonymously deemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back. To be callously dismissed with the advisory, "You are not permitted to view (or access purportedly objectionable) content is unhelpful. To my (at last count) thirty-six confirmed lgnorers:  if ignoring me makes you a better person, by all means, run with it.  E.O.M.

On 10/14/2020 at 8:39 PM, physics-fan3.14 said:

Dena posted a strongly worded warning here: 

 

Nazi...  KKK... and 

Dude... publicly call for everyone to ignore you... Quintus Arrius

The Nazis and KKK are a part of history.  If it were up to you, you would demolish the Auschwitz exhibit at the Jewish Museum in New York.

Dude?  Have you any idea how old our much esteemed colleague VKurtB is?  You remind me of those who refer to women as broads and spinsters. You're presumptuous and disrespectful!

Calling for "everyone to ignore you," or any member for that matter, is a violation of the Guidelines. YOU MAY NOT ENGAGE IN SUCH BEHAVIOR!

Quintus Arrius has one foot in the grave and is living on borrowed time.  I believe regular Forum devotees are well aware you criticized Prof. Hill for the same reasons you did me after consulting your well-thumbed boilerplate speech: boring, long-winded -- deriving enjoyment from hearing one speak.  Nevertheless, recognizing you are well out of your league, you will always be "pi-guy" to me. Just don't forget: VKurtB was, is, and will always be right.  I accept that; why can't you?

With the gentlemanly indulgence of Just Bob, I dedicate the following piece I picked up many many years ago toMAULEMALL who seems to appreciate the more controversial stuff.

***

Re: Statue of Liberty

Reverse:  the legend "Statue of Liberty, NY," and the monument actually more formally known as, Statue of Liberty Enlihhtening the World, encircled by a field of stars which interestingly exceeds fifty in all.  Obverse: the center bears the fact: "Same thickness of copper as the Statue of  Liberty 3/32".

37 minutes ago, dena said:

A reminder seems to be in order.

If you can't play nice, you can't play here.

In the past we have spent time going through threads to remove the hostile posts that ruin a perfectly good topic. Going forward we will just delete entire threads. This doesn't mean that you'll be able to derail someone else's thread to get it shut down. This means that anything you've posted, good or bad will be removed.

If you can't leave your personal hostilities at the door, you can't post here.

I've got a multiplicity of aler-egos to choose from to deal with every occasion best exemplified by Alfred E. Neuman's WHAT, ME WORRY? caricature.  What I am really curious to see is how seasoned veteran, VurtKB responds to the Administrator's Ultimatum: "Be Nice,  or Be Gone!"  I myself dislike feedback intensely.  I would rather drop in unannounced, do my duty, and beat a hasty retreat. It is impossible to like anyone whose views contradictorily embrace an entire spectrum. Anyway, I'd rather be ignored than drawn-and-quartered publicly.  The two, actually three enduring mysteries in life, for me, in no particular are:  How come I am deserving of only a paltry three (3) Warnings; why does my wife love me; and whose got all the highest graded French 20-franc gold roosters presently not in any Sey Registry and to whom should I properly direct my inquiries regarding same?

37 minutes ago, dena said:

A reminder seems to be in order.

If you can't play nice, you can't play here.

In the past we have spent time going through threads to remove the hostile posts that ruin a perfectly good topic. Going forward we will just delete entire threads. This doesn't mean that you'll be able to derail someone else's thread to get it shut down. This means that anything you've posted, good or bad will be removed.

If you can't leave your personal hostilities at the door, you can't post here.

Unless your ultimatum effectively supersedes the Guidelines as set forth by Architecht, what you term a reminder is a revision which is in conflict with both the spirit and letter of various provisions relied on by collectors for some time.

With the gentlemanly indulgence of Just Bob, I dedicate the following piece I picked up many many years ago to MAULEMALL who seems to appreciate the more controversial stuff: copper with well-defined "dental" work with a 1-1/2" (3.7mm) diameter

If there is anyone out there who can fathom a guess as to what this is, where it came from, and its approximate date of minting, I would greatly appreciate it.

The edge is well-rounded. The dimensions are roughly 2" or 5 cms. in diameter, and has a hefty weight. I acquired it from an old man who spoke fractured English at an outdoor flea market in New Yok City in the 1980's.

27 minutes ago, ldhair said:

I'll play but several already have you on ignore and won't see your post.

And how, may I ask, would you know that???

You have a luxury few people have.  If I bought a coin for 8USD, and it was lost in transit, none of what you claim on the submission form would be a reflection on the TPGS you sent it to which never got a chance to see it. This is strictly between you and the carrier you chose and what they charged for delivery.

Suppose what you sent in turned out to be an extraordinary find: a 1943 copper penny in very fine condition? Then what? (This scenario reminds me of the time a regular Joe sent in a lottery ticket with a multi-million dollar jackpot to State Lottery offices by regular mail -- no insurance, etc. -- using a regular postage stamp. I would not have done that: no proof of mailing or confirmation of receipt. Too risky.)  The only time I took liberties with what an item cost me was when I began with the final cost to me which included prevailing Fair Market Value, the bribe I had to pay a "detective" to convince the owner to sell (with kickback) PayPal's fee for conversion from USD to Euros -- which did not include the Customs and Border Protection I had to pay in the U.S. to prevent the package from being sent back. Then, I had to have the coin cross-graded for my Set Registry. With all my costs added up,  I discovered I had paid roughly twice what I would have had the coin been available domestically in the "right" holder. (It is unquestionably one of the top three rarest in my collection.)

I belive the suggestion you've received earlier  is the more sensible route and may save you hundreds of dollars and needless heartache.  Submit two of the best photos you can of both the obverse and reverse sides of the coin and let the talented membership here weigh in as to whether what you have is worth formal certification. Best of luck to you!

The answer to this question is:  Look at the car he drives.

On 4/15/2020 at 12:31 PM, GoldFinger1969 said:

I can't say enough about the book -- fantastic.  Best book on coins I've ever read.

I think it safe to say these comments made on your original post followed by an ongoing spirited exchange with the author, as well as other curious and/or knowledgeable types/collectors over the following twenty-plus pages, has made it virtually impossible for me to resist the urge to go out, get a copy of this book and read about a coin I have always admired but never had the opportunity to acquire. Very stimulating thread!

7 hours ago, Outhaul said:

For lack of a more applicable term, this is what someone harboring decidedly un-numismatic tendencies would do.

On 10/26/2020 at 11:54 AM, VKurtB said:

I support NO changes in the method of electing the board of Governors, full stop. I'm not philosophically against making the Immediate Past President a voting member, IF we could find a way to get back to an odd number of voting members. 10 is too risky for ties. Probably better not to screw with it at all.

Make it nine like the U.S. Supreme Court.  Problem solved.

6 hours ago, VKurtB said:

I have to admit, making coin collecting a "competitive sport" is something that would absolutely never have occurred to me, and frankly, I still see it as kind of bizarre. 

Coin collecting in and of itself is fine.  Where it turned infuriatingly bizarre was discovering I was already heavily vested in one brand when I stumbled across something called a Set Registry and realized I had no choice but to become the very slave to a brand Coinbuf frequently rails against AND pay the higher prices demanded of its European counterparts because that's where all the earlier dates could be found. And for what, the privilege of saying I had the #1 position? For how long?  Until someone somewhere, seized with an obsession to outdo me, changes everything in an eye blink by making one well-positioned, prohibitively expensive acquisition most likely via an auction. That's not only bizarre. That's pure insanity!