Henri Charriere

[Off-tangent query: any theory as to how baby's mother became baby mama?]

Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Somewhere between Attack Speed and Ramming Speed, with the hortator steadily beating his drum, Coinbuf uttered the "No" heard 'round the world. I was warned that if I lose Coinbuf, I'd lose the ship. Accordingly, I hereby tender my resignation as referee of this match and, having served with distinction, abandon this thread forthwith. I wish my successor luck in resolving this matter amicably. Sincerely, the Troll

There is something, I don't know what it is, that is so unsatisfying about advancing a perfectly legitimate suggestion which would resolve this affair firmly and with finality, and then withdrawing it for no other reason than because of one's belief Wonderland would not want to look at it, irrespective of the reasons cited. What are we all afraid of? If I appeal a matter all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the VERY WORST that can happen is receiving a "cert. denied" ruling, i.e., "we decline to review the matter set before us." This Wonderland was the most promising lead yet. To extinguish it before it has had a chance to be test-driven is really very sad. What is everyone afraid of? Don't leave us all dangling. Kindly reconsider and follow thru. And again, let the chips fall where they may.

Coming from a place where graffiti is celebrated as artistic expression and not vandalism or damage to property (New York City) I am inclined to carve out an exception for this exceptionally beautiful coin. Had the engraving been non-italic and performed without grace, it would be a different story. Thanks for sharing as I haven't seen anything like it.

I don't know why anyone would compromise his values and feel obligated to dignify anything I have written (usually tongue-in-cheek; often dripping with sarcasm) with a rhetorical rant Viewers know my story well... stopped out after silver was taken out of coinage, dove back in after surgery last year, and while still under the influence of prescribed painkillers, amassed a world class collection of French 20-franc gold rooster which accords me the unprecedented privilege and honor of refereeing skirmishes between the misfits and the one-liners and the has-beens and the might've beens and the would-bes and the ne'er-do-wells and the God-knows-whats of the highly esteemed collector community. My apologies if I left anyone out. Now aren't you sorry you asked?

(Shush! Don't you want this travesty to end?)

Fair enough. (Just about everyone else has been viewing this thread. Why deprive him of the pleasure.)

Re the "loom," I marvel at the ancient mounting marks left by a prehistoric slab at roughly 10, 2, 4 and 8 o' clock. I am kidding, of course! Unique piece. I have never seen anything like it. Nice catch, and thanks for sharing it!

Immense waste of time? How so? How much time would Wondercoin need to make an assessment? How much time did onlookers on this site need to render their condemnations? I say the OP ought to follow through on this suggestion, let the chips fall where they may, and put an end to this vulgar sideshow.

(A rather encouraging development if I may say so myself. Thank you, World Colonial, for trying to help a fellow collector in distress!)

Had to come back and review these postings... I had (still have) a situation where a coin I bought, described as a "frosty" gem in MS-66, arrived with a quite evident latent fingerprint. What to do? I called the dealer but, though he offered to take it back, quickly realized he was not responsible for the grade. Would it have been an MS-67 without the "distraction"? Only a grader would know for sure. So I have the coin and simple courtesy requires me to mention the defect should I ever be inclined to sell it. [If I were the grader, I would have consulted my fellow graders to see if the least intrusive restoration/conservation procedure could be utilized -- as a matter of course, and courtesy, but I guess the very suggestion is sacrilegious.]

Very nice specimen thanks to the responsible stewardship of previous owners.

Very lovely! One of my all-time favorites. Thanks for sharing it!

The epitome of cruelty but you've got me laughing so hard I can no longer see! (Would you hand me a Kleenex, dear.... what are you laughing about?... it's a long story, eight pages, 200 some-odd posts. Ha! Ha! Ha!)

I AM ASHAMED TO SAY, I AGREE. LOL!

[Having sustained third-degree burns on my left hand by merely holding the cellphone containing your rolling, blistering commentary, I will continue to hunt-and-peck with my unscalded right.] In the earliest Hebrew-Aramaic scrolls, God's unique name, represented by a tetragrammaton, was never pronounced. King James substituted JHVH (or YHWH) with "LORD," using "Lord" to refer to his son, hence the awkward: "The LORD said unto my Lord,...." Ps 110:1 KJV. Your commentary which addresses an [apparently] forbidden subject, the gods comprising TPGS, lays bare a series of fascinating facts I personally find interesting. For example, by extension, who better to grade a French coin than the folks affiliated with the foreign office of the TPGS located in that country? (As an old time NYC police detective convincingly argued, "if you are shot, you want to be taken to Harlem or Lincoln -- public hospitals with ample experience in treating gun-shot wounds." Not a private facility with limited exposure to mayhem.) I agree with your argument, as so eloquently set forth, that, if I may use the analogy, is not unlike baseball teams with "greatness" displayed at intervals, according to the year and experience of the players employed. Likewise, the authoritativeness of a TPG is dependent on the graders then employed. Valid point. Does not Michelin rate restaurants based on, among other things, the master chef choreographing activities in the kitchen? Unskilled chef, poor meal quality. Tellingly, NGC reportedly will allow PCGS-graded coins in their Set Registry -- with the exception of World Gold which requires a certain expertise to process owing to disparate grading systems. Thank you for taking the time to offer your insight! (I have to go seek first-aid for my injuries.)

Maybe so but look at the date on the missive: a different time and a totally different era. Are you prepared to vouch for conditions at that mint circa the date in question? (I can just see see a researcher giving himself a light smack on the forehead whilst exclaiming, "That was the handiwork of Shapiro and his bozo sidekick, Rabinowitz! Two of the most incompetent employees to ever [dis]grace the Mint!) Well, Conder 101, you get my drift.

I cannot, for the life of me, remember whether my inadvertent discovery of a Set Registry acted as a catalyst propelling me into the stratospheric heights of collecting, or was merely me exhibiting the traits of a Virgo's compulsion for perfection. Either way, it was a pricey ride fraught with peril, i.e., buying merchandise sight unseen. Your collection is magnificent. I give you a giant toolbar-like E for Effort!

While I cannot answer your query with authoritative confidence, I can state that I do not recall ever seeing a Washington clad quarter exhibiting signs of this affliction. Near smooth? (Just a moment. I have quarters. Let me take a look...) Well, I'll be! I have numerous such examples in your date range, however, I am unable to reconcile condition, with the assigned grade. I would not characterize any of these old work horses as Mint State. As to whether such a phenomenon would militate against you at a TPGS inquest, to me that would be an invitation to take a closer look. I'll let the experts with 150 years of aggregate numismatic experience weigh in on this.

To my many detractors who mocked my use of a 30-power loupe: do you honestly think you would be able to detect the barely imperceptible vibration of this gem with a mere 5-to-7 jammy? Take a good look at those top three photographs. Thank you, Mr. Hinkle, for vindicating me once again. And good luck on your quest!

Note: For the record, this coin [as displayed on my wife's cheap, knock-off] cell is appropriately sharp with detail, color and contrast and, for all intents and purposes, presents as though it were in the palm of my hand. (In point of fact, it looks just as detailed as that stunning SG D/E slated for auction at Heritage, 9/17/20!) My cell is strictly talk and text. [No internet.]

I have heard of tranquilizer touchstones (and beads) but am unfamiliar with this. I get it now. So unlike the purported healing properties of a copper bracelet, this is a more tactile product. [I specifically bought a double-thick, pure silver, 1804 dollar from the Intaglio mint but it was in such pristine condition I nixed carrying it around.] Your idea is better. Can't argue with success. All the best!

Oh-oh! Much like Paulie in Goodfellas (1990) who readily admitted he knew nothing about the restaurant business, I know nothing about ETFs, BTUs -- or UFOs, for that matter. Mr. Goldfinger1969 (any relation to TekashiSixNine? Just kidding!) with all due respect, I have reached an age where engaging in speculative pursuits is not in my best interest. Goldfinger1969: Well excuse me, Roostermeister! QA: I know. I know. It was temporary insanity. G1969: Well, alright, I was only trying to be helpful. QA: I know you were and I appreciate your honesty. Thanks for the reality check. RWB.

(Oh Lord, this is what they must mean when they say an old thread's got new legs...)

Ha! Ha! Ha! "Horse blankets" was the term they used for the oversized bank notes from another time and era.