Henri Charriere

One notable exception comes to mind and while members may feel I am harping on it, the truth is a judgment call had to made (as well as a career decision to the parties involved.) This concerned the injury suffered to the right leg of Liberty on the unique '33 "Double-Eagle." I shall not say another word more. Negotiations occurred between the owner and at least two TPGS and I have to assume the parties involved were satisfied. I had wanted to restrict my observations to just the two comments you made above because if there is anyone given to making fair and balanced comments it is you. Now, is it not a fact that you have regaled the membership with a steady diet -- and I exaggerate solely to illustrate the point I wish to make, that coins, particularly those slabbed years ago by A, were resubmitted by you to B, and you were pleasantly surprised by the results? You modestly offered a reason which I accepted at face value because I believe you are congenitally incapable of lying and/or showboating. Cross-grading entails risk and I believe every decision you had made was more than fortuitous good luck. I am very happy for you.

To our Grand Master: I see where a great many males (sex, assigned at birth) have fled for reasons better left unsaid to the other side. What intrigues me is Zero Recall on my part as to the presence of any questions regarding the care, custody and control of coins on my part as well as any self-report on my part of being of the Caucasian persuasion on official Census forms. I thank Roger for setting aside time from his busy schedule to broaden the body of knowledge of collectors on this Forum and accept the results of his findings, unconditionally and unequivocally.

Not only is it not an "s," but it is not a majority of the English alphabet as well. Proof? Aw jeez... the thing ain't even real! Taking some surplus metal from the strategic scrap pile and giving it to a boot black to shine up does not, a Proof, make. And please do not feed into this "business strike" nonsense. Since the Mayflower landed in 1620, there were only two types of coins: Proofs and circulation strikes. Some of these denizens of the deep find themselves to be better than others, thus the term Uncirculated. Proofs, owing to the nature of their creation retain that descriptor for life. If some card-carrying numismatist commits the unspeakable and dares to liberate such a coin from its OGH, all is not lost. It is assigned a number befitting it's latest visual incarnation, warts and all.

Do they? The most popular (not longest running) thread is helmed by a person working [permanently] from a remote location. Closer to home, I dare say half the members who follow you, while presumably real, are relative unknowns. Now there's a newly instituted rule: publish or perish! If you do not speak up, you are not formally acknowledged. It's right there enshrined in policy. When does a pedestrian stop being a pedestrian? When he stops walking. I will be back with a new moniker by summer and, as habit will have it, there will be those who will continue to persist in calling me by my former User Names. If anyone is a faithful, satisfied customer, it's Ricky. I guess he's kind of an honorary member. And it is my understanding, he is in good hands. 🤣

I do not believe TPGS themselves would know. My understanding is that's the way submissions used to be done, i.e., through bulk submissions [until uncle z convinced them there's nothing to them at all anyone with a seventh grade education couldn't do himself] Submission numbers, consecutively sequenced would be of no help. Many are revised annually and any outstanding forms left over discarded. You know, every time I see that guy with his "The End is Near" "Repent" sign, or read another literary piece claiming the "hobby" is dying, much of what they say is true (aging collectors, the closure of storefronts, etc., but I don't recall seing hard numbers, only conjecture. I guess it's not something anyone would ordinarily bring up except dues-paying lurkers like Q.

Q.A.: But it's two, sometimes more against one. Can't I weigh in? 🐓 : No offense, but you're just not smart enough. Besides if you were, you wouldn't have posted the question in the first place.

Teacher: "What does your father do for a living? Yes, Jimmy! Jimmy: My father collects coins. All kinds, but mostly quarters on "the Neck." (The Throgmorton's Neck Bridge connecting the Bronx with Queens, NYC). Teacher: Anyone else? Yes, Missy! Missy: My dad's a lawyer. He's a partner in a white shoe law firm down on Wall Street. Teacher: And you, Johnny? Johnny: My mom's a doctor at Riverside Hospital. Teacher: Anybody else?... Tommy? Tommy: My father really lucked out! He's a licensed plumber! We've got a mini-mansion, a Gulf Stream IV, a '32 Deusenberg, a country club membership, and a vacation home on Norman's Cay, our own private island in the Bahamas... 🤣

🐓 : I'd better not see anybody doing this on the subway... Q.A. Better that than the stuff we've been seeing and reading about lately. 🤣

Hold-on-wait-a-minute... Surely, you are not suggesting these CIRCULATION STRIKE coins bear any resemblance, however remote, to the absolutely gorgeous, well-defined, wll-struck example posted early on, entitled PCGS SP- 69? Without the courtesy of offering a view of the reverse, it is virtually impossible to pinpoint the precise location where the slight demerit demanding a 1-point deficit occurred. Now look at the very last example posted and, if I may, I should like to direct your kind attention to the aftermath of the barroom brawl which was recorded for posterity in the lower SE quadrant of the coin in the area between 64 of the date and WE TRUST. Sorry, no comparison. Parting shot: many may disagree, as is their prerogative, but you could not give me, free/gratis, and -69 coin. It reminds me of the father, a real taskmaster who, in reviewing his son's transcript, paused at the overall 3.98 GPA and, inquired of his son why it wasn't 4.00. To me a -70, with a professional opinion rendered by our Sandon, seals the deal. Anything less, to me, signals a suggestion of a flaw or defect of some kind. That is why I make the distinction, as others do, between "best" and "best possible." Expense must never acquiesce to sacrifice. That is why the names of the Blue Whales in our profession mean so much. 🐓

Respectfully,... am I to believe no one in positions of authority was aware of the problem? No one reported it? No one advised the Director to inform him of the development, much less apprise him of the steps being contemplated to correct the "malmintage?" Where were the inspectors and quality-control personnel? What about the guys servicing hubs and starched collars? My point is: When a problem like this lands on the Director's desk, it's too late!. If it'd've have been me, I would relieve from further duty all persons involved immediately, and assure the Director measures have been put in place to insure there would be no repeat of this debacle emphasizing my statement with the quote, by pledging my Life, my Fortune and my Sacred Honor on it. *** Privately, on non-government memorandum or letterhead I would remind the Director that had he secured the necessary funds essential to the efficient operation of a modern mint, as requested in previous correspondence, none of this would have happened in the first place. 🤣

I am troubled by this finding perhaps more than I should be. Why should it be the concern of a government official in the nation's capital to insert himself into a situation, the precise dimensions of which were as yet unknown, when there were staff available in Philadelphia ready, able and willing to tackle the problem head-on? You cannot micromanage the affairs of a production line from afar. That's why effective directors delegate responsibility to trusted associates. Under King Ed Koch's tenure in New York City, he never answered a question from the press regarding police, correction -- or sanitation matters. Instead, he would state, for example: "I have a police commissioner. Allow him to brief you on the matter." Any "damaged" coins have long since been discovered and voluntarily surrendered. "I pledge my Life, my Fortune and my Sacred Honor on it." (To sticklers for proper attribution, I credit the plagiarized line quote to the signers of the nation's Declaration of Independence, 1776.)

Granted, dated post where things move at warp speed. By strict definition, I do not qualify as a collector. Judging by the number of coins I have in my constructive possession, 24, I am neither a hoarder or accumulator. I do not believe I can even be termed a coin enthusiast anymore. The line of Saints appeals to a certain collector, like set registrants, with a large disposable income or unassigned assets. The above reasoning, set forth as such, comes close as one early can to identifying the type of collector I would envision a Saint enthusiast as being. In succeeding posts focused on the '30-S low-ball, I would imagine the original owner, acquired it possibly for sentimental reasons as the ideal lucky pocket piece for quite some time, hence, my believe the original piece, clearly devoid of distracting damage, was carried by someone, at the height of the Great depression for no no ther reason than he could. It's too bad his real motive, and that of others prior to the advent of TPGS, is the real untold story here. Many valid points raised here. A laudable attempt is made to define who collects these coins -- and why. Unclear as to who "owns" the rights to this story now unfolding on.paralled threads, but it would clearly make for some fascinating reading to those predisposed to learning more about the history of a coin that has captured the minds of a select group of collectors who have realized there are never going to be enough finite pieces with sought-after attributes to supply insatiable demand. I am truly sorry I missed my calling in life as an unpredictable philanthropist.

I AM NOT A GOLD BUG! Now, If viewers will pardon my blatant plagiarism... "We start believing now that we can be who we are. "Gold is the word. It's got a groove. It's got a mean-ing. "Gold is the time, is the place is the mo-tion. Now, Gold is the way we are feeling. "Gold is the word. Is the word. Is the word. 🐓 Props to GF1969. You heard it here first in this topic.

Note: The following account, a flight of fancy which bears no relation whatsoever to the truth is presented as an ode to every man, woman and child whose contributions to the Forum were presented in good faith only to be mauled by members whose credentials appear to have been dominated unchallenged by those whose words over an interval sufficient enough to make newcomers, unschooled in independent research, accept them and repeat them as one would gospel truth, buoyed along by a practiced form of mindless herd instinct. We are presented here with what appears, at first blush, to be a common ANA pin replete with links and bars. To the unacquainted, it appears to be genuine. No one dares mention why the years 1912 and 1913 are unrepresented. Perhaps no conventions were held in those years; perhaps there were. To the trained eye, the package is inauthentic. ANA pins were made, but they were not rendered in what appears to be copper. Links were used, but the standard number was three with five used to distinguish the annual plates from the medal. As hereinabove mentioned, these presentation medals were rendered in the standard copper-nickel alloy. The links used were made of steel anchored to the medals and plates with silver frames. These metal fixtures were used to keep inevitable tarnish to a minimum. Even with the utmost care, metals subject to direct contact with environmental air, will suffer tarnish, copper most notably. As regarding the obverse, the Latin inscription, de profundis, literally, "out of the depths" made popular by Oscar Wilde in a letter written from Reading gaol, as used in this context, has a significance lost to history. The "I Dream of Genie" lamp resting on a modest tome, entitled: "Ancient Mystery," too, has been lost to history. One can only assume the number 14, stamped rather ostentatiously on the reverse, refers to its "mintage" in a limited production run. The medal originally festooned with tastefully-sized tri-color ribbons of red, white and blue, but are inexplicably missing. This concludes my review of the ANA medal, which I remind viewers was spun from whole cloth, posted to promote dissenting commentary and is subject to removal by Moderators at their sole discretion for cause, or no cause at all.

Is that a distant relative of NXIVM? 🤣 Re Gold: I believe had that Rooster never appeared on the eleventh and final series of the F20F GR, I NEVER would have given it so much as a second glace. Whether gold goes up, or down -- even plummets to zero ($0.00) is of no concern to me. When I summon the nerve and inclination to relate why, I shall do so under the "Unsolicited Comments" column if it is still extant.

That's dangerous thinking! Sounds a little like O.J. when a reporter caught up with him behind the wheel of his car, and he allowed, in substance: "What, me worry?" Too much to cover in your commentary. I am going to leave you with a few lines from a stanza of S.T. Coleridge's 18th C epic: "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." "Like one, that on a lonesome road Doth walk in fear and dread, And having once turned round walks on, And turns no more his head; Because he knows a frightful fiend. Doth close behind him tread." I am indebted to you for your counsel which, judging from your many followers, others found to be of value as well. You are retired! Are all these things you're doing what you wished you had time for but didn't because you were working? Relax. Take it easy! We all must come to the realization that none of us are indispensable. I'm okay with that. If I read GF1969 correctly (upthread) I am not a collector. I was one once, but by his well-reasoned argument, he's right. I no longer am. Hate to have to admit it, but if you left the airwaves, there would be no point in my lurking about. There will be an audible sigh of relief and the unmistakable sound of great rejoicing. Who can blame them? On the West coast, the # 2 guy will reclaim the top spot again; the guys at # 11 here, and "there," will move up a notch into the ranks of the Top Ten. Everybody will be happy. Even the guys who left when they learn I'm gone, will filter back. Good News travels fast. The point is, Life will go on with or without us. I would strongly advise you to take it easy. You're lucky. You've been to the top; you're not obligated to prove you can do it again, again, and again.

You.may be right. This thread rapidly descended into classic z-pekinese. You know... ... no collector is obligated to disclose the extent of his holdings... this information is private and confidential... if you receive a phone call or written survey, you have the consitutional right to decline and remain silent.. if these unknown parties persist, you have the option of blocking them... and if they show up on your doorstep, unannounced, you have the right to exercise your rights under the Second Amendment... Of course, if the unanticipated guests are representatives of an arm of the Federal Government, you may wish to retain your composure and suggest they get in touch with your barrister... there is an app for that... it is commonly referred to as a retainer devised for just such emergencies...

Allow me to prove my assertion the redrum guy is simply engaged in harmless conduct... I would say Ancients (but not because I fear VKB's disapproval) Moving right along... I would say Gold doubloons and silver (but not necessarily because our Grand Master would challenge the provenance of gold nuggets and flakes). There. Two questions asked. Two questions answered. No harm done. Socitations for opinions sought and granted. Now, what I would really like to know is what is everyone so afraid of? That this guy works for the IRS? SHEESH!

Great detective work here, Mike! You really went the whole mile and made Seattle Slew (back in 1977, for the newbies) look like a straggler at the clubhouse turn. Now we are left with the questions we are forbidden to ask... which highly-acclaimed, reputable dealer sold the OP this coin, and for how much? (Parenthetical comment: anyone who makes a mockery of denticles, if found, ought to be drawn-and-quartered in lieu of a trial by compurgation.)

Nota bene: Begging the OPs indulgence, I believe I would be remiss in my duty to broaden the hobby's "body of knowledge" if I failed to bring to the ardent reader's attention, a reference to the content of a comment posted by our own @World Colonial while seemingly anecdotal, resounds with the ring of unassailable truth -- before this thread proceeds further.

[Quick face-saving edit: NGC & PCGS both authenticate, grade, certify and encapsulate foreign coins. (Now aren't you sorry you threw away all those possibly rare, MS, foreign coins you found in your roll-hunting activities? 🤣

You may be forgiven if you labored under that mistaken impression. When opportunity avails, check out the NGC Set Registry. Just the list of countries that follow United States, from either A to Z or most to least popular. Put another way, if not for foreign certifications, Quintus Arrius (or whatever User Name he chooses to be known by now) -- minus his handful of French gold Roosters -- would be a total unknown. 🤣

(See post dated Saturday, 8:44 p.m. responding to a post by fellow combatant, @cladking and, by extension, me.)

Splendid.. Now @World Colonial can no longer claim, as he had upthread a few posts, and I quote: "I've never heard a single person use this term [Modern] or make this distinction other than you (meaning, me.)"