Henri Charriere

Coming from a city (New York) where fare collection, wearing masks -- and practicing what I refer to as "anti-social" distancing, is a curious phenomenon, I am not much of a complainer, but I did write a letter to the editor recently informing him, as senior citizens, my wife and I continue to purchase our monthly half-fare MetroCards whether we use the subways and buses are not but cannot continue to subside the [Transit Authority] indefinitely. I suspect they did not appreciate my suggestion to cut operating expenses beginning with 37% across-the-board salary cuts beginning with their bloated salaries.

I haven't the slightest idea what interests young people. One thing for sure though, whatever it is, it will surely be found on a cell phone.

[Chards... Blackpool...hmm. It vaguely comes back to me why I never purchased a coin from them. Back then, two years ago, TPGS were unknown to them and I decided then and there I lacked the desire (some apparently find attractive) to banter with those who feel their opinion is The Last Word. I am happy to hear you made out alright. Generally, I can do without the drama.] Certified coward that I am, I no longer joust on horseback; reminiscing on keyboards suits me just fine.

[Well, I kept my promise. I took one look at your photo and today being my birthday ( I am not 70 but I prefer round numbers) I promptly cut off my four year-old beard and handle-bar moustache -- the first time I have been clean-shaven since I got married. Constitution Day has nothing to do with it.] Thank you for the inspiration!

In that case, those so inclined may wish to accord me that honor. I am STILL HERE, STILL STANDING, STILL STRONG and loving every minute of it.

[With the figures (percentages) heretofore cited, which I believe coincide with those of in pauperis pro-se litigants filing their petitions to be heard by the New York State Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court (not to mention those who ultimately prevail on Section 1983 Civil Rights matters, only to be denied review, why am I not surprised at the deplorable state of U.S. coinage and currency today? Maybe what's needed is a limited run of purposeful errors. One way to jump-start the hobby would be to introduce an anomaly in the regular run of coins which would then become the official "designated by intentional aforethought error." That's something a TPGS can get involved in. An off-kilter design element or a "blast from the past" feature everyone can relate to, produced in limited quantities. How does that sound, erwindoc?]

You've got a point there. What's the point of having no representation in Congress if some guy from the District of Columbia comes down during the aftermath of a natural disaster and tosses rolls of paper towels at you before national television?

[Is it within the realm of possibility, gentlemen, that the owner's estate simply wanted to secure not only a second opinion, but an opinion for all time, smacking of cutting-edge, state-of-art, professional grading for their once in a generation offering?

[They didn't call Murray Richman, Esq. "don't worry, Murray," for nothing. Justice triumphs again!]

[Nice maneuver VKurtB! I am on the gentleman's ignore list; you, indubitably, are not.]

Definitely would pass VKurtB's Trial of the Pyx!

[Granted, I failed Statistics 101, SIX TIMES. Still, I feel with no more than fourteen members participating, we are not getting an accurate profile of registrant's usage patterns. I know this poll's been open only a few days but the sample gleaned is woefully insufficient from which to draw a valid conclusion. Considering my user name occupies a prominent place on nine members' "ignore" lists, nineteen ain't saying much. I would be curious to know who declined to vote -- and, more importantly, why?

There is no one more unqualified to pass judgment on this coin than I am. Fortunately, I have Just Bob's observation to rely on and, as everyone knows, he hasn't been far off the mark on things numismatic since 1959. To be on the safe side, MS-67 does not seem far-fetched. My problem is an anemic reverse which, as an amateur, I would peg at as MS-66+, if that. Does the coin deserve a *? The obverse certainly looks nice but there is nothing on the reverse that I see deserving of such an accolade. Stars should be reserved for pieces exhibiting exceptional eye-appeal. A lovely war nickel in all respects!

[Note: There are two reasons why I have since declined to engage VKurtB in a strenuous manner. One, it would be hazardous to my health. My 3.7-cm. aortal aneurism has inexplicably grown to 4.2. cms. with atrial fibrillation I have been told will not go away of its own accord. Surgery is inevitable; and Two, with our esteemed colleague, VKurtB + HBP, busy making arrangements to transport the bulk of his lares and penates due South shortly, there is nothing to be gained from baiting him unmercilessly. I think it fair to say without his participation on this Forum -- and this is no reflection on others -- we would have a suggestion of a Fourth of July, without fireworks. I believe it best to approach all topics and members with flexibility, moderation and accommodation to include giving our seasoned veterans wide latitude if not wide berth.

[With all due respect to Prof. VKurtB -- and @ erwindoc, the member who began this unassuming thread, I offer the following. I am not sure where it fits in, but here goes]: "In the United States today (1970) we have more than our share of nattering nabobs of negativism. They have formed their own 4-H club -- the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history." --V P Spiro Agnew (via William Safire)

[Not old Quintus, wisenheimer emeritus! I still remember it as an acronym, standing for: Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Anybody remember these Radio broadcasting cousins, once removed: AM - amplitude modulation; FM - frequency modulation And who can forget the W in WABC and WNBC, stand for "Wireless." No sir-ee Bob, that anti-intellectual tag being bandied about does not apply to this transient.]

[All this anti-intellectualist stuff, notwithstanding, the best line to come out of the Chicago Seven conspiracy trial (late 1960's) was: "Conspiracy? What conspiracy? We couldn't even agree on lunch!"]

One more reason why I love old coins. Look at the strength and definition of those fonts! The computer-generated devices on today's coins look weak and malnourished in comparison. Nice catch, Alex!

Very nice buff', 'buf!

However expropriated, whether by hook or crook, would the OP, author, or any other viewer, care to speculate as to the possible motive behind effecting a transfer of goods Izzy Switt (or co-conspirator or confederate) knew, or should have known, he could not profit from, personally, in the ordinary sense of the word?

Why do I feel the shipping and handling on the trebuchet you seek will exceed its actual cost...

The 1909-S V.D.B. also happened to be the very first coin I bought in 1967, or thereabouts, from Stack's, in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, with exceptional eye appeal and original mint lustre, for the then princely sum of $200. (My salary as a part-time delivery boy was $1.25/hr. + tips.) This is why your story struck a chord within me. Now I'm going to have to come up with a solution... One final note... though I have not seen this mentioned elsewhere, I suspect some incidences of counterfeit scams are attempts on the part of unwitting victims to palm their losses off onto unsuspecting buyers in a misguided attempt to recover their losses, much like passing a bill one knows to be counterfeit which would otherwise be confiscated and forwarded to the USSS DHS (though this practice on the part of shopkeepers and the government is no longer assiduously followed.) This does not excuse the conduct. I note it here as another motivational factor to consider.

I am dissatisfied with the responses evoked by Joshua22855's query. This is not the secret life of Walter Mitty we're talking about here. What's been suggested amounts to little more than putting a scammer on a Do Not Call Registry -- knowing full well the name, number and address will be changed, and the egregious conduct will continue, unabated. I characterize the responses for what they really are: nothing more than an ineffective feel-good measure that seemingly "addresses" the matter, while doing nothing to eradicate it. "So what do you suggest?" Ideally, I like the approach exemplified by the police dispatcher in the 1980 film: "The use of unnecessary violence in the apprehension of the "Blues Brothers," has been approved." Unfortunately, that is not an option. Second up, John Walsh -- or Dr. Phil, who promises to hunt scammers down, smoke them out, expose them publicly to embarrassment, accountability, and worse. Spraying cockroaches and cajoling them to move along is too passive. I don't knock lists, but something stronger than a band-aid approach is called for. I do not like to criticize without offering a solution but let's not pretend calling 311 to report a no heat, no hot water-problem is going to resolve the complaint. (Note: I will try to come up with a suitable alternative; in the meantime, my wife is waiting very patiently for me to return her phone.)

[At the risk of getting yet another PM from an incredulous viewer demanding to know if I have any idea to whom I am directing my scattershot to, allow me to phrase my response cautiously...] In all fairness to you, sir, anything worth saving from circulation by 1975, was long gone. I hesitate to ask just what it was that prompted you to develop an interest potent enough to inspire your user name if not everyday circulating coins. (I do not believe I have ever met, or know, anyone who has made a similar claim.)

For the record, I became disenchanted with "the hobby," not long after JFK's body lay in a catafalque. I now accept that one cannot rescue anything beyond resuscitation. If embrace the "change" means embrace the "clad," sorry, I'm not buying. (Time to get back to work. Now, where's my slide ruler, protractor and No. 2 leads...?)