Henri Charriere

I don't know how or why I let this unobtrusive assertion slide by me unchallenged. If what you've written here is true, than @Just Bob deliberately lied to me. He figuratively offered to show me the ropes in this business, including the etched-in- marble correlation beteeen supply and demand. I believe I am owed an apology. From someone. No one at anytime in all the years I have spent following the hobby, ever extended to me the courtesy of bringing this indispensible variable to my attention... "listing unrealistically low prices for moderns to avoid offending their customers: boomers." Is this thing on?! Why was this critical information withheld from me? I don't want to hear any apologies! I am 72! I've got one foot in the grave! Inexcusable! 🤣

🐓 : No need to ask. Just Like it! ... rather be safe than sorry..

🐓 : What's he hidin'? Q.A.: It doesn't matter! 🐓 : How come??? Q.A: 'Cause Pistol Pete is watching our e-ve-ry move. 🐓 : Yeah, better Like it just to be on the safe side.

All French 20-francs gold rooster coins have quite prominent edge lettering. However, I fail to see why the dates of any coin series, such as the Sacagaweas were relegated to the edge. Just my opinion...

Thomas Numismatics, the very first time I stumbled across it, was very formal and intimidating. It read like the NGC Guidelines, covering EVERYTHING from acceptable forms of payment to settling disputes. I got the distinct feeling they didn't just sell to anyone. Perhaps an exaggeration, but it seemed to me they reserved the right to choose their buyers and the only option a complete stranger had was to be referred by a previously vetted source. I believe when that money in that simple greeting card addressed to its founder fell out of the envelope, it must have left them gobsmacked. The hard part was over when I received an acknowledgment which I actually solicited from them! It was out of the blue. I made no inquiry as to the availability of the piece. I never became a member, subscribed to their newsletter or received an order number. Set the money aside and I cease to exist. We"ll see what happens... I remain hopeful your nickel will show up -- minus a stye. 🤣

Lovely topic, Mike. Who doesn't love a CC dollar? Only one thing... I believe the same culprit(s) may have been involved in stealing this Mint's smokestack as well.

(I do not know if those unfamiliar with French know it or not but while a number, say, 80, in English, is simply "eighty," in French it is "quatre-vingt," or four- twent[ies]. How about 61? In English, it's 61; in French, it's "60 and one," or "soixante et un.") Okay, fun-time over... Back on Track! Thanks, GF1969, Roger!

A bit off the beaten track, but I'm curious. Did they ever catch the guy(s) who stole the chimneys off the Mint's roof? They are prominently featured in the first photograph but noticeably missing from your "before" and "after" photos.

As my faithful followers -- and my biggest fans, those who've keystroked me into oblivion (my army of Ignorers) know -- it has been three (3) years since I added a coin to either of the two Set Registries I own, here and "there". I seriously contemplated acquiring what one "house of coins" with a sterling reputatjon to match, called a "Counterfeit Forgery," but the backlash on the Forum while not intense, was nonetheless persuasive. I thought rising gold prices would prompt French peasants, long believed to hoard considerable numbers of gold roosters (see article by fellow member GF1969 upthread) to shake their trees. That failed to materialize. I settled for the next best thing and sent the proprietor(s) of Thomas Numismatics in Meylan, France an amount in physical U.S. currency, to cover all anticipated costs for an odd test "coin" The details regarding this transaction that no one in their right mind would engage in -- an arguably "sight-unseen" purchase from an establishment I have only heard of and a contact I have never met, do not know, have never spoken or written to, is described in more detail in the Topic: "Sending Cash Through the Mail." In a few words the "coin" is a uniface (one side only) hexagonal planchet, PCGS-certified SP-62, Highest grade (the only example) Top Pop., 1/0 UNIQUE; unlisted in reference books - unpublished -- undated (ND) Not Determined, with no mintmark (basically of unknown provenance though my guess is circa 1898) and the work of Jean Clement Chaplain (Marianne type) whose name appears in small print on every 20-Francs gold rooster.. It cost me all of $2.40 to send T.N. $2,000 in U.S. currency through the international mails, unregistered, uncertified no RRR with no tracking number and uninsured in a greeting card, so as not to attract attention. The cost of shipping this test "coin" to me is $60.00. It took them two weeks to acknowledge receipt of my order and will take another estimated two weeks to send it to me, privately insured. The link is: https:www.//pcgseurope.com/cert/42188163 The precise cost involves their conversion of USD into €euros as well as the fluctuations of the metals markets -- and there is no question in my mind the shipment will be intercepted by CBP which will exact a customs duty fee and subject me to a long intrusive interrogation. To give you an idea as to how unsettling this can be, imagine being "ordered" to provide your full legal name, date of birth and Social Security Number over the phone to a total stranger under penalty of having the shipment returned in five days if you decline to comply. There is no space for the encapsulated "coin" on any Set Registry but for all intents and purposes, acquisition of this example will figuratively crown the already complete set I have maintained on the West coast for the past five years. A Note of Caution... I would not encourage any collector in his right mind to duplicate my feat. I take calculated risks which remarkably turned out better than I expected. I would not advise anyone else to do the same. Collect with your head, not over it. 🐓

Breathtakingly beautiful! * * * * * Now If it please the congregation, let us refrain from disrupting the natural progression of this orginal long-running thread and re-dedicate ourselves to its natural orderly trajectory.

Funny, as one of the few people I know ow who read the best-selling book of all time (which Board Guidelines prohibit me from mentioning by name, I can't tell you what's in it, but I can confidently tell you what's not. Same with grading. Especially high end gold roosters. I can't tell you what the upper MS grades look like, but hand me one and I can tell you with but two glances what one isn't. No two are alike. All have aggravating and/or mitigating factors. In an ideal world, there would be an appeals board to which you can assert with confidence, this alleged MS-66 certified by [TPGS] is nothing of the kind. All you're left with now is re-consideration, which I consider a long shot, and cross-grading which I do not advise for the faint of heart.

The Pi-Guy would definitely be interested in this. I cannot recall his user name. He publically announced an ultimatum to all on the Forum: Either you get rid of him (me) or I'm gone. I'll say this mjch for him: he is man of his word. He fled the premises and ventured back once in the past three years. He's blocked me. His User handle was physics3.14 something or other. It's a shame he left for nothing. Nice find!

I still can't get over the fact you posted this THING on that other thread. I see no socially redeeming aspect of this coin. If you needed an ashtray, anyone on the Forum would have volunteered go get you one. You have volcanoes which appear to have erupted and you're concerned about, what? A scratch! What you have here is someone's former nitemare! The coin has zero numismatic value. Why do you think it was sold to you for a pittance above melt? I have advocated for an AU-59 grade but the powers that be laughed me out of the room. It exists somewhere in the Twilight Zone, but is inapplicable and irrelevant here. I am very much aware your joke is on me, but frankly, I can take being punked. Tomorrow is another day. Cheers!

What would possess you to desecrate the sanctity of this long-running thread... with THAT???

@leonardbrit : Welcome! I would prefer to believe your post was made with the best of intentions. If the replies you have received thus far are puzzling, it's because your post suggesting a resource for research runs afoul of chat board guidelines and is, in fact, a violation. Review the Guidelines and see for yourself. You are a new member and you might as well make the most of your membership. All the best!

Never crossed my mind... your perspicuity on such matters is astonishing!

If link inoperative, as the late, great Oldhoop advised: "Look it up!" PCGS Cert # 42188163.

🐓 : In deference to old-school members who insist on documentation, references, footnotes -- possibly a link, I think it would be wise to provide that information to the extent it is available Q.A.: Thank you, Ricky. The link is, as follows: https://www.pcgseurope.com/cert/42188163 France Essai Coin - Marianne - Gold Pattern 20 Francs or tin uniface hexagonal planchet - PCGS SP-62 (Highest grade; the only example (UNIQUE) Top population: 1/0 Unlisted in reference books - unpublished - undated - date/mintmark ND (not determined) circa 1898. Jules Clement Chaplain (Marianne type). Material: tin; weight: 3.69; diameter: 27.00 mm. Pattern struck on hexagonal planchet; superb eye appeal joins superlative rarity with bright original [mint] luster. Very scarce in this grade. 1 638.97€; expedited shipping (from Meylan, France.) 60€; Total: 1 698.97€ [1 700€ = 1 820 USD] Projected delivery date: Mon. Je 10 - Mon. Je 17. [Delivery effected: Thurs. Je 13.] ... all in time...

What I wanted to weigh in on was the line, "pretty much people to conduct warfare against". But it's off-topic.

Some "off the top of my head" comments... If we are talking U.S. modern coinage, not in its present deplorable state. The Lincoln cent is a gaudy caricature of what it once was. It's had its 15 minutes of fame, served its purpose, and with copper up at record levels, will soon be withdrawn from circulation altogether. All coins containing copper will be debased even further. The cent no longer serves any useful purpose and if you persist in thinking it does, congratulations, you've successfully deluded yourself. The Jefferson nickel was nice the way it was. It no longer is and that childish scrawl that passes for J's signature is proof positive there is a lack of serious talent out there. The Washington quarter has had a good run but as it's centennial approaches, a design change is in order. I have nothing bad to say about the Kennedy half but the very fact you rarely come across one is proof positive the public can get along very well without them. The dollar series has all been disasters from Ike on. Moderns HOT again? Don't kid yourself! The last time coins were alluded to was when that group Menudo was formed. Now it's 🎶 "Cash Rules Everything Around Me, CREAM, get the money, dolla' dolla' bill y'all." The classic coins -- you know, the only real coins out there -- were hot, are hot, and will always remain hot. If it weren't for JB, NN, and RWB, I don't believe I would have known about tokens, half cents and the use of the toggle press in minting coins. You know when Moderns will be HOT? When they stop minting them.

🐓: I see where your Topic dropped to 23rd place. Looks like the Forum wrote you off, as in, "a fool and his money are soon parted." Q.A. Oh ye of little faith... That's before the phone pinged at 4:41 a.m. this morning confirming my status as the Greatest Evel Kneivel of the coin world Of All Time! If you, gentle reader, failed to reply to this Topic in a timely manner, you're too late. I received a confirmation that the twenty benjamins I placed in a greeting card had been received in France, is being converted to €uros and processing of my order is proceeding. Truth be told, it does not even matter if I receive this essai (test) pattern... described as uniface, undated, unlisted, unpublished -- and UNIQUE. I am now its proud new owner. As a practical matter this means no air travel, no extended car drives, no overnite hotel stays and no, I don't care how many real numismatists or artificial ones pay a visit whether to every roadside stand in the Commonwealth of PA or auction house in the country. You're not going to find it because it's mine and it's being prepped for shipment from overseas. Is there a slot for it on any Set Registry? No, there isn't and I couldn't care less. You don't see EC complaining about lack of accommodation for his '33 D/E on his set, do you? So to all the Danny (and Debbie) Downers who long ago wrote me off as meshugana, I'M STILL HERE, STILL STANDING, STILL STRONG. I now hold a few records: member who owns a #1-ranked set registry of a series few ever heard of; a [certified] pattern your average numismatist never knew existed; most disciplined member who clawed his way back from multiple deportations; and, as far as I am concerned, the only person to send a stamped envelope stuffed with U.S. currency -- uninsured, unregistered, uncertified, etc -- to a stranger I never saw, met, or spoke to before in my entire life. I am going to close this with a quote Kurt dislikes intensely: "you don't have to be smart in this business. You just have to pay attention." I would add, it pays to broaden your horizon, use a little ingenuity and be resourceful. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. (Posted at the discretion of Moderation.)

[Anecdote: When Albert Einstein was recognized on a flight, he was asked why a world-renowned highly-accalimed physicist such as he was flying second-class? His dead-pan, matter-of-fact response was: "Because there is no third-class."]

🐓: What about the Set Registry? Q.A.: Yeah! What about that? I'm 72. You think I'm in this for my health?

My opinion has never counted. On the other hand, Kurt has a legion of followers. I wonder how they feel. I only want two things for Kurt: don't worry, be happy and s-l-o-w down. No one can outrun the inevitable. Or as Archie Bunker would put it, You done good, Kurt, you done good! You've accomplished your mission.

I do not believe I am informed enough to offer a generalized view.