Henri Charriere

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.

🐓: unfeasible, adj., not capable of being done or carried out. (no...) infeasible, adv., a problem that has no solution. (not quite...) unviable, adj., not able to work as intended. not able to succeed. (probably.) Q.A.: You know Rickey, you're pretty cocky for a rooster! Don't forget, this guy knows how to play hardball!

Very well put. I can confidently state I agree, and am in complete accord.

Thanks Mike! To quote Kurt: "Is this thing on?" The video has been posted now for four hours. What's there not to Like?

Troo dat! The only alternative is unpalatable: incapacitation in a strait jacket for life.

Numysmatism. An affliction characterized by a prolonged, sometimes lifetime proclivity or insatiable fascination with what numismatists regard as an inordinate amount of time collectors, so mesmerized, spend in the obsessive, compulsive pursuit of their specific flight of fancy: coin errors, their discovery, acquisition, identification and classification by the applicable formal terminology used e.g., "proof die cracks," etc. To my knowledge, no effective cure has yet been found.

True. No harm done.

Mine is: TBSOL... "TIME-BARRED by STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.™️

Comment: Had I known @powermad5000 was going to play hardball, I would have rephrased the question, "How many graders should it take..." but that option was quickly taken off the table by the stentorian voice of Roger the Elder who effectively thwarted my intent and demolished the thread, such is his standing, stating in so many words, "it doesn't matter." That had a chilling effect, I believe, on Newbies on whose behalf I posted the question on their dedicated Forum. [Aside... It takes 23 members to make a grand jury. (A quorum of at least 16 who must be present and 12 to vote.) It takes 12 jurors to enter a unanimous vote. It takes 10 to make a minyan; 3 judges sitting en banc, on a Federal Court of Appeals bench; 3 to make a good marriage (per the three fold cord) and the 3 that bear witness. Elaborating is verboten and a violation of posted Guidelines.] I know what the publicly available literature on the number of graders says, but with bulk submissions running amok, not to mention Monster boxes, and wildly undulating turn-around times, I suspect a disconnect between a nebulous number of graders contending with an ever-burgeoning volume. Is it even possible with rotating tours of duty absent round-the-clock operation? How many minutes should a grader devote to a single submission? What if it requires specialized knowledge, then what? Some professions require a license to practice law and medicine. Others, like journalists, do not. For members who feel two graders are sufficient to evaluate all of the world's coinage, I would suggest even three is insufficient, if not impossible. And for those who've bought into the two-man concept, kindly provide the rest of us with figures regarding how many graders total, are waiting in the wings on-deck, or on-call. (Posted at the discretion of Moderation.)

As a rank amateur with an admittedly overgraded Negative Three (-3) I.Q., and no familiarity with Large Cents whatsoever, I am inclined to fall in with the group that assessed it as Very Good. I believe Fine would be pushing the envelope for the reasons as articulated hereinabove by a bevy of collectors better acquainted with this series. There are resources I assume you have consulted which I have not set eyes on in 50 years, such as the industry-standard reference known as the "Red Book," and possibly Photograde, or I suppose you can cheat and pore over eBay listings which presumably feature Large Cents which closely approximate the condition of your coin. Malhereusement (yup, look it up) the bad factors [the various elements falling under the umbrella acronym, PMD, (post-mint damage)] outweigh, some may say, overwhelm, the good. Overall, with this acquisition, you've done very good. Oops, I meant well. Very well. 🤣 Posted at the discretion of Moderators.

By your account, the coin had lain on a window sill for 15 years. This much we do know: that coin did NOT reside on any such sill of a window within the five boroughs of New York City. But we face a far greater, insurmountable obstacle in rendering an opinion: I do not know how much our Grand Master knows about such matters, but he is waiting in the wings ready to pounce on anyone who can go beyond mere conjecture and state conclusively, without a shadow of a doubt, exactly what happened in the case of your coin absent not-up-for-debate, conclusive proof. Consequently, any idle comment I may or may not have an inclination to express, shall have to await until he has spoken, ex cathedra, after which I can come out of hiding, and state with complete confidence: I agree... [for any number of credible reasons I can think of at a moment's notice].

This may seem like one of those questions preceded by a discreet inquiry, What is your religion? or Where are your parents (or grandparents) from? followed by an answer someone would find offensive or inappropriate, but this is not a joke. It is a legitimate query. When I became a member I automatically envisioned an assembly line of graders sitting at a long conference room table examining coins under table lamps. What would your off-the-cuff answer be?

I don't want to seem ungrateful but I would not hesitate giving anyone my [broken] left leg for the privilege of owning a unique, visually provocative coin like that. Great acquisition!