Henri Charriere

I hope you don't hold this against me, but for a number of excellent reasons, e.g. 1- being clads; 2- being manganese-brass (which gives it a creepy, greasy feel; and 3- relegating mottos to the edge, I am glad they sacked the sac's. Right now, one of the most beautiful designs produced by the Mint is not even released for circulation. If you want 'em, you have to buy 'em. Now ain't that a kick in the head.

How about... genes?

Hold-up-wait-a-minute... How would you know he was recently ousted recently, unless, unless...

I hereby apologize to the learned OP, and ask fellow members to disregard my intemperate insinuation.

🐓 : What prompted you to post this Topic? Q.A.: My wife and I stopped by Grand Central Terminal to pick up a newspaper -- all since downsized, unavailable from most "news stands" and prohibitively priced to "force" people to subscribe online -- and when I went to pay for it, there was no one there to give my money to! There was a pad to scam items and tap or slide any number of payment cards. I did find someone but he reacted as if he had never seen currency before. So, I have seen the future, and it is here. My apologies to the member who services vending machines. If cash is a problem, can coins be far behind? For the curious... yes, One Vanderbilt, hard by GCT's western side is complete at 1,401' -- but 3 buildings in NYC are taller. My prediction: there will come a time when the U.S. Mint abandons circulation strikes entirely and produces deluxe proof sets only for the benefit of those who wish to reminisce with their children and grandchildren as to the ways things once were.

@VKurtB : Where art thou?

My thoughts? Don't mind if I do... (Imprimis, I should like to direct @VKurtB's attention to the clever way you seamlessly defied his unilateral declaration that no thread older than six months be revived, directing that they should rot instead.) Moving right along, I should like to request you direct your attention to the line, preceding your post of the two coins, as hereinabove quoted, and, taking judicial notice that the then-President's Executive Order mandating the recall of gold coins, has since been superseded and/or rescinded, ask you whether your grandparents' action of willfull and knowing withholding of the gold coins depicted, constituted a violation of the mandatory recall? 🐓

With the addition of a one- line item buried in the text: a 90% copper and nickel with pre-'64 composition. At least this way, collectors will get something special that they'll be proud to own.

I agree. Nothing I own is under lock and key -- including my front door. My position is best expressed by the official state motto of New Hampshire: Live Free or Die.

The matter winds up in court... ASIGNED COUNSEL: Good morning, your honor. May it please the court. My client has been less than forthcoming with me as to the origin of the coin which he claims ingenuously to be an original 1943 "copper" depite nine compelling appraisals submitted by a number of acknowledged experts in the field of numismatics, persuasively contesting his claim. I respectfully prevail upon the Court to relieve me from further representation of my client, forthwith. THE COURT: Granted. The matter is adjouned until such time as defendant secures new counsel. SO ORDERED. Bailiff, call the next case.

What were their (Whitman Publishing) conclusions as to the results of your investigation?

If not, I am prepared to have your rarely seen original map of the travels of Lewis and Clark losing their way in the vast Louisiana Territory, authenticated by a well-known appraiser for a well-known auction house in New York City. Your 1989-D Jeff may be of interest to a collector of low-ball coins.

Pronunciation: VELT-ahn-show-ung ("ow" as in "cow") What is you personal weltanshauung, i.e., comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint of coinage?

Those more erudite than me are well-versed in such matters.

Whatever the composition of sets for each of the respective denominations to 1964 is what I propose. Why would that be preposterous, as some likely think, when that's the way it was always done? If you are charging collectors an arm and a leg, why not give them what they want? I don't have any objection to the silver sets. I imagine they would cost more, but why bother minting proof coins that aren't "real" to begin with?

Yes. But since the day I was born -- and I am talking staples only: cent, nickel, dime, quarter and half (the dollar was in and out) -- those coins were used in commerce. I don't know when things diverged and JFK halves, one of the nicest coins out there, are now being held hostage, but it is wrong. And, No, I am not going to purchase the new proof set. And, I know this will offend some, but I feel any proof clad coin is an abomination. So that rules out the entire set.

The Mint just announced the sale, effective today, of the latest proof set. The ransom demanded is $34. My feeling is no coin should be offered in Proof, or Uncirculated Mint Sets unless it has first been released as a circulation strike. What's yours?

I wonder how demand was gauged for the Ford Edsel, the Ford Mustang -- the Rubik's cube and Pet Rock. A member here conceded (elsewhere, on a different post) that he was partial to the Birch Cent with that wild head of hair on that survey the Mint undertook recently -- such a one you could not possible introduce to your mother or father. There is no accounting for taste.

Some of his wares are not only perfect imperfects -- but unique. Who knows, this gentleman may very well have the last laugh.

Country? Denomination? Series? Date? Mint mark, if any? Grade? Specifications? (Photo of Reverse?) Registered, meaning what?

🐓: Hey, Q! This is a topic you can leave comments on. Q.A.: Great. It's gotten to the point where if I see a coin graded MS-69, I look for what I believe to be the possible cause of the deficit. I see something on the obverse on top but on the closeup below, it's not there. Same for the reverse. Would you mind giving me some idea of what it is you believed resulted in that 1-point loss.

@Zebo : There is "a little something" in this for @VKurtB, too. But because it involves [Red] China, it's not good.

If Gretz were only a collector of what you believe him to be, i.e., a part-owner of a baseball card, he would not have made Century's "8 most notable-celebrity coin collectors." If Taylor Swift got involved, her "Swifties" would likely benefit existing collectors of S-G DEs over new collectors, as rising prices for an already comparatively expensive coin, would leave everyone else in the dust behind. Any short-term gains would be just that as her star quickly rises -- and inevitably falls. My opinion.

I do not know what an individual dealer's policy is regarding opening original Mint-issued sealed boxes. I would imagine if you are a principal, or serious pospective buyer, you should be able to view the merchandise you are prepared to pay for. I am guessing by sealed boxes, you mean flat boxed sets sealed for shipment. Either way, the sealed boxes should be unsealed for examination. Nobody can guarantee the quality of any such packaged proof set without unveiling it in your presence, with of without photos posted here which can only verify year if issue. An intact box is no indication as the to quality of it contents. That is a call only you can make.

Interesting topic. It would have never occurred to me that mintage figures could be challenged, questioned or even debated... Then again, I was not aware proof sets, and to a larger extent, certified coins were being disassembled.