Henri Charriere

It would have to be universally recognized and adopted. Mint damage is too broad. Environmental damage narrows down the field. Subsections, if approved, cannot be too far behind. My ignorers who are my most devoted [closet] fans and [undercover] followers, will object because they didn't come up with the idea first.

With all due respect, OldHoopster, it's still a little too early to arrive at a final determination as the folks most in the know, have yet to weigh in. And their comments may be of interest. The cause of an irregularity (my term which, rightly or wrongly, embraces all errors, Mint die mishaps, metal fatigue, et al) apparently is of interest as evidenced by the hours and days members speculate on them, some disagreeing violently at times. Your grocery list is a good start. And there are experts here who can narrow down the possibilities. The ultimate answer will come from someone with hands-on experience whose side-hobby is to better understand thru trial and error exactly what caused the finished product involving chemicals, time, temperature, etc. Who knows, maybe it was pitching a coin into a beaker of Coca-Cola for an interval? (No, not the one with corn fructose syrup; the one from Mexico containing cane sugar.) I refer to them jocularly as mad scientiists and it is they who contribute to our cumulative knowledge of damage found in numismatics much the way the National Transportation Safety Board, after poring over the wreckage of air crashes and studying the flight data and cockpit voice recorders can tell us, with a reasonable degree of certitude, what happened, why, and what the industry can do to prevent future tragedies. We will have to give this topic time to gain traction.

Begging to differ, it does matter to the OP. He specifically asked ...what has caused this odd look?" As the only member on the Forum who refuses to recognize errors, varieties, flavors, and the like, here's a suggestion: when you (the disparate membership) come to a meeting of the minds as to what environmental damage caused this -- if indeed you all agree that is what it is, why not assign it a hyphenated numbered suffix like you do everything else. After a diagnosis the preponderance of people who frequent this site are comfortable with, why not designate it E.D.-1, and so on.

I can recall a time fairly recently when a new member flat-out said a TPGS "SWITCHED" his coins with others, but I never did get to hear the full story because upstanding members here questioned his character, demanded proof, ultimately insulted him -- and ran him back out of town on a rail. When I was so bold as to resurrect the matter recently, we were told it, was a figment of our imagination. I know collectors are concerned about parting with their treasures whether they have high market- or sentimental-value. But the truth is you'd sooner hit the lottery or suffer a lightning strike than lose your possessions to a TPGS. [Before I leave to clear up that blockage on the Suez Canal that's costing the world's economy billions of dollars daily, let me leave you with one final thought: unless and until the professional numismatists with millions at stake are concerned about the reliability and safety of grading, you have nothing to worry about.]

My problem too that goes well beyond coins. I have a 19th Century hand-blown emerald-green, pedestal eye washer I picked up at a street -- probably someone's equivalent to an interesting roadside stand -- with the original receipt going back about 40 years. Damned if I am going to a pawnshop to sell it. Unfortunately, eBay, during these times, and depending on where you live, may be your only choice. But I would not be above coin-selling and trading sites on the web. If you are not in a rush, look around. And best of luck to you!

["Free shipping" as opposed to expedited shipping, internationally speaking, means overland by coach thru several countries and transport via tramp steamer to Port Elizabeth, New Jersey or a lesser dock of renown in Hell's Kitchen, New York or Red Hook Brooklyn.] 😉

I will take that to mean we are bosom buddies, again. And thanks for the emoji. Man, I love this!

What do you want, the whistleblower's name, address, DOB and SSN?

Good point.

Your point is well taken. (C-c-can I still get an emoji, or are you going to continue to allow the Nevada guy streak in the guy, to continue to color your disposition?)

I see a few problems with your reinforced, if not fool-proof approach. And this pertains to only point 3. Firstly, those initials which are hints any Wheel of Fortune contestant can use to help fill in the blanks. Secondly, that post office box number -- and zip code. Thirdly, the very fact you register and insure your packages, with a USPS Tracking # are forced to limit the possibilities of its contents, i.e., unstable chemicals, etc., via a mandatory verbal recitation by the clerk, virtually, when all considerations are taken into consideration, scream COINS INSIDE WITH NUMISMATIC VALUE!!! (Now where's that head- banging emoji you usually honor me with?)

There are probably also a number of shipwrecked ships laden with gold which have thus far eluded detection. The exact number and approximate locations are known but are not publicized for obvious reasons.

The unfortunate refrain bandied about lightly is, "You know what to do. Have it graded!" This is most unfortunate as a number of factors have to be taken into consideration. One must first, establish the FMV of the merchandise being offered and weigh that against the not inconsiderable costs of certification which mount quickly. If your sole motive is to have your favorite family picture or diploma from law or medical school framed in mahogany, by all means spare no expense if it makes you happy. However, submitting a coin with a fairly common date thinking it will make it look more desirable will only succeed in exponentially increasing its cost with any hope of recovery of your significant outlay nothing more than a pipe dream and a regrettable decision that one failed to think through. L Side note: Casinos look like exciting places with lights and bells but save for the lucky high roller, most players bet over their head and not with them.. Then they throw good money after bad, and lose that too. Entertainment is one thing; collecting and investing are another. This hobby requires due diligence. And, like gambling, is not for the faint of hearted.

I can assure you as a current, dues paying member, if I walk in with a Brasher Doubloon, I will be charged a % of its retail value, irrespective of condition. You want photos taken? That's another fee. How about special labels? Postage, insurance and packaging, coming and going, that's even more. It's gotten so you have to sit down with a slide rule and figure this all out. Now NGC has raised its rates. Having average circulated coins found in change makes little economic sense. Not every coin is a good candidate for grading. You''ve got to do your due diligence.

Is there perhaps a middle ground between robust and a wan, undernourished look?

I was frankly startled to find that there are now two NCICs: The National Crime Information Center which dates back to J. Edgar Hoover's tenure at the FBI, and an upstart with the same acronym which stands for The Numismatic Crime Information Center. They say necessity is the mother of invention and after reviewing the latter's site, I can definitely see why this initiative became necessary after a spate of thefts involving ground and air transportation services to and from TPGS. I trust all reputable, highly-regarded TPGS implicitly. Some dealers are so mindful of the consequences of bad reviews, they literally importune buyers to contact customer service first before posting a negative review. I am not going to worry about my comparatively affordable coins until a collector of Brasher Doubloons or Partrick's coins express their lack of confidence in a service. My collection does not fit the criteria of a risk substantial enough to justify national notice, exposure and interest.

Easier said then done. I insured a coin bought raw from an individual in Europe for its purchase price. Little did I (or the seller, apparently) know it was exceedingly rare: only one other at that grade, none higher, and obviously worth a lot more than what I paid for it. Blind beginner's luck.

And the invisible 3rd third rail: liking the post of someone ignoring you on another site... utterly ridiculous. (I wonder what the appropriate emoji for that is.)

[Well, if a grand jury would "indict a ham sandwich" if that's what you wanted them to do, as a former chief judge from New York once observed, I suppose one could sue. But would you prevail? There is a big difference between revoking a privilege and denying someone their rights. Abuse of discretion? I would be willing to give Kurt, whom I can definitely see as a litigious Type A personality, the benefit of the doubt, but then I am deeply prejudiced -- I like his gritty bluster.

Funny how a guy submits for our perusal (elsewhere on the Forum) a photograph of a "Princess," a three-dollar gold coin purportedly the rarest minted for circulation in the United States, and his question regarding its authenticity is met with a barrage of one-word epithets from a bevy of highly regarded heavyweights -- veritable experts in the field of numismatics, denouncing it outright as a fake but dare pose a simple, uncomplicated question loaded with implication, such as, "Is it possible to find an uncirculated coin in change?" and the silence evoked from this same cohort is deafening: No comment. Really? Go figure.

If I may, gentlemen... I applied, was accepted expeditiously -- and decided to try a new tack: sit back quietly, listen and observe, but refrain from making any comments. My impression of CT is it is a serious site for serious members. The Q and A there is conducted with surgical precision with zero tolerance for deviation [of the type regularly engaged in by me] which for the most part, I must admit, is tolerated within limits by the moderators here. The big difference -- make that big, BIG AND BOLD -- is here members who play bumper cars inevitably breach an invisible wall or ceiling and are guided by the application of sanctions which are intended to deter further violations. Here, a member such as myself, is given chances to recover. There, the only way to define borders is by breaching them, intentionally or not, with no trial by compurgation, a commutation of sentence, a review, notice, warning, appeal or reprieve. Is that the actions of certified skeezer, shysters or scammers? No. IMHO, it is not. No one would engage in a practice that is self-defeating. Apparently, that approach works for CoinTalk. Any suggestion that self-immolation is or might be productive, makes no sense. I was banned from CT. I believe there was a measure of justification in the verdict rendered.

I should be one to talk... Have to admit I became totally enamored of a coin from Venezuela for no particular reason that I can recall, outbid 30 to 40 other presumably serious collectors for something I did not need and no longer want. Your coin is special for a number of reasons beginning with the high grade. Your point is well taken. I apologize for the over-the-top response.

I should be one to talk... Have to admit I became totally enamored of a coin from Venezuela for no particular reason that I can recall, outbid 30 to 40 other presumably serious collectors for something I did not need and no longer want. Your coin is special for a number of reasons beginning with the high grade. Your point is well taken. I apologize for the over-the-top response.

Ring a bell? 😉

No, Sir! But I can assure you, having posted your query, the responsible party is having a hearty laugh at my expense, as we speak. 😉