Henri Charriere

[Let's see now... Italian lira and British Petroleum. Hmm. I know someone withdrew the latest €500 notes from circulation, but where? What's a Lira worth today? What was it worth back in '67? Has it since been devalued? You got me good, F' Mike. That and that guy waving that finger at me! How about USD 737.37 + the usual, let's make that 20%. I know someone is having a hearty guffaw at my expense!]

The first time I ever heard of the ship and its sinking was in an ordinary article buried in a copy of Reader's Digest. I remember thinking it was very special and wondering how come I had never heard of it before. I believe the writer was purposely vague as to its location which was understandable. A great read. I put it right up there with the exploits of Shackleton at the South Pole. As technology evolves, more and more wrecks previously deemed inaccessible will be explored and their bounties recovered.

RECONSIDERATION Many years ago I was given a bit of advice that has held me in good stead for most of my adult working life: "Never ask for a raise until after the boss has had lunch." I have tweaked that, as follows: Do not jump onto the Forum with a trebuchet until after you've had something to eat. I have re-read this thread in its entirety three times and am inclined now to give Roger the benefit of the doubt. Certain phrases he has used resonate with me. I pay close attention because no member has ever claimed Roger has ever spoken with reckless abandon. Some of his wording... "I refer to true historical pieces.... they [the Mint] did not have any better equipment.... To my skeptical mind...." And, for me, the clincher, as excerpted at the head of this post above. If I were on that jury as depicted in the 1957 classic, "12 Angry Men," Henry Fonda very likely would have changed my mind. In real life, taking into consideration what Roger has written and the manner in which he wrote it, I see no agenda and no axe to grind. What I do see is a sincere attempt to objectively state the facts relying on a lifetime of research and experience framed in historical context. Given the choice between being consistent for consistency's sake, or being truthful, I would choose the latter. If I lose my status of "Rising Star," so be it. On the matter of "Specimens" and "Special Strikes," I stand with Roger.

Great book at a bargain price!

Welcome to the Forum! A quick look at the symptoms confirms your diagnosis: HKL, o/k/a PMD. This coin is not much older than I am. I am very happy for you. You've got yourself a copper Wheatie, joined up just a few hours ago, sought and got a second opinion and, in doing so, saved yourself a bundle of money. It doesn't get much better than that!

EDITORIAL Interesting thread. Revived, died, resurrected, revitalized... And all, for what? I have a quick fix. All the experts on ERRORS ought to get together and in one well coordinated, collaborative effort, produce a dedicated TOPIC, entitled: "Everything You Have Always Wanted to Know About ERRORS, But Were Afraid to Ask." My stance is chiseled in marble: TIME-BARRED BY THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. If the coin in question is older than 25 years from date of mintage, it will not be eligible for what invariably turns out to be -- whatever the cause -- nothing more than post-mint damage. Miles of band-width will be saved and years of man-hours can be redirected toward more pressing matters. IMNSHO. 🐓

BLAST FROM THE PAST! Q.A.: This sure is one helluva hobby we've gotten ourselves into. They've even got their own language. 🐓 : Numismystique! Q.A.: Errors aren't shunned; they're venerated! Don't refer to it as crud; be genteel... call it cud. Tell someone you've got a coin all chopped up, and they won't say, "Too bad!" They'll ask you what it was. And if you say, a Trade Dollar, that's good! That's okay! But God forbid you say a Morgan or Peace dollar. They'll look you in the eye and with a straight face, say: "Too bad. It's damaged." Now, take this '58 Washington. It's vibrating all over the place! If it were a '58 Chevy, they'd say, "It's a jalopy. Junk it." But this is better than mint state; it's a Proof. "Oh, that's different. Step right in! How do you like your coffee?" 🐓 : Huh? Q.A.: Beats me. Not only that, it's got a gen-u-wine Crack! If you own a building, the DOB will issue you a hefty facade violation. But this is a coin. Well wishers will give you admiring comments and a requisite pat on the back. I tell you, we're in the wrong business. 🐓 : How so? Q.A. Because French mint officials treat errors and the like as curiosities. Matter of fact, none of that stuff, errors, die cracks, varieties are even officially recognized. (Who in their right mind would own up to making a mistake?) A guy comes along with a counterfeit rooster, no problem! Buy it, Sell it and offer the new owner a Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing it to be a genuine "forgery" and, weak strike or not, sell it like all the other genuine ones for the same price. Say what you want about the Post Office but if an error is detected, the SOP is print more. Much more. Remember the 1918 24-cent Inverted Jenny airmail stamp? On the hundredth anniversary, they reissued them in with a $2-dollar denomination in blocks of six... with a twist to pique collectors' interest. This time some of the plates were printed with the plane right-side up. Those were the rare ones now going for hundreds on eBay. All the six-block envelopes were sold sealed. The public had no way of knowing which one they bought. The Mint ought to try something like that with their boxed Mint and Proof Sets. If this hobby needs anything it's honest-to-goodness promotion.

11/22/1963 The nice World's Fair in '64-'65 could very well have been the first one in '39-'40 had you been alive and old enough then.

TIME-BARRED BY STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

Nin! No! Nyet! Time-barred by Statute of Limitations. (Ref: recent post in topic "Unsolicited Comments" on U.S. World and Ancients forum)

Unsolicited Editorial Comment: My way may be inherently unfair, but quicker... The query will be reviewed when it is received. If it concerns a 20th century U.S. coin, a standard, boilerplate reply is triggered instantaneously: "Time-barred by the Statute of Limitations" which exists primarily as a nebulous cerebral concept in the inner recesses of my mind. I applaud members like Sandon whose patience knows no bounds.

🐓: What do you think? Q.A.: Respectfully, I dug the move, early on. Gangsta, straight up 'n' down! Shades of Straight Outta Compton. You know how they roll. 🤣 Sorry 'bout Suge, yo! Peace out, home slice!

But, but... I thought the steps counted only on Mint State coins. (The ones on the '09s appear to have been stolen.)

Well, that certainly helps explain the steady drumbeat of ads trumpeting the "fact" that one or more, that can be found in change, is worth $50 million! 🤣

What you said: "I'm a keep it professional" What you meant: I am going to keep it professional. Nice kicks, yo!

I agree. Besides, I don't do post-mortems anymore. 🤣

[I tell you, when I read it was not real, I said, what a shame, the dentil-work was so meticulously executed. I was appalled. When the verdict was reversed, I was enthralled!] Man I love this place! 🤣

Blast from the Past! 🐓 : You jealous? Q.A.: Well, they do say it takes one to know one... in case Dena is watching, let's just say, nostalgically-speaking, I am in awe and not a bit envious.

TIME OUT! TIME OUT! Gross misrepresentation! A "roll," as that term is commonly used by coin collectors, is a roll. A "bag" is a bag. (Rolls come in boxes; bags come in crates.)

I have a few legitimate questions. What is a mystery roll? How many coins does it accommodate? Why would such a roll contain coins of different denominations (and sizes)? Why would it contain certified coins that should never, under any circumstances, be permitted to come into contact with coins or hands at stellar grades? I am unfamiliar with the St.-Gardens Double Eagle 1933 Tribute example. What mint minted those? If it were genuine, I seriously doubt you would debate the merits of a mystery roll, although I would be curious to know what coins comprised the rest of the roll. I may have allowed myself to be PUNKED, but good, but your post was valuable because it raised many valid concerns and had the majority of viewers mulling things over. A bit cringe-worthy, but a good exercise.

According to unwritten Chat Board Guidelines, members are asked to be "kinder and gentler" with Newbies, identifiable by the waving Hand next to their user names. I am sorry some of us, myself included, are abrupt with our fellow members. After you've fielded only three such queries a day -- over a thousand a year at a minimum, you tend to become jaded and impatient. It happens. You've been a member now for six weeks. I assume you have acquired a Red Book and read the introductory threads which give you the tools you will need to navigate this website productively. I do not know what led you to believe you may have a Doubled-Die Obverse but I do not doubt you see something, by whatever numismatic term known. The best thing to do is familiarize yourself with its different manifestations as best you can, THEN jump onto the forum with closely cropped photos adequately lit and magnified to illustrate the area you wish to bring to our attention. As you probably know, true doubling is not common. The two more famous examples in the Lincoln Head cent series are the 1955, which needs no explanation, and the 1972 which a member helpfully posted above. I encourage you to keep looking, explore all available resources and do not be afraid to ask questions -- particularly regarding submissions for formal certification. That's what these forums are for.

I appreciate the reply. Not sure many people read this column, but evidently I stand corrected. NOW, I understand why the turn-around times are what they are. Thanks!

Nice coin! I have already given it a name: the "Smiling Lincoln." That small depression at the right-most end appears to make the president smile.

There are a few variables to consider... To me, the Modern era in the USA began with the recall of silver and the introduction of clad coinage. For some, obsolete coins and currency provide a line in the sand. In some countries, when Arabic was retired in favor of modern languages, that became the turning point. To Europeans, I would imagine the introduction of Euros provides the demarcation line. While I wouldn't say there is universal agreement and acceptance as to what constitutes modern, it is left to influential people, publishers, institutions-- and individual countries to make the call and distinction.

NOTABLY... the author, RWB, provided valuations of the gold spirited away for storage in Troy ounces and, to assist the non-collector in better understanding the size of the cache stored in various vaults, he helpfully provided readers with the weight as expressed in avoirdupois pounds and tonnage. A photo accompanies the text which would not have been released years ago: a crystal clear overhead view of the government facitity, the perimeter fence, the entrance and exterior roads including a nearby interstate interchange. All this information was painstakingly pieced together in a single, coherent narrative, and the sources consulted duly noted in a long list of footnotes at the end of the text. A truly easy-to-read account which is both informative and a joy to read. Great research, Roger!