Henri Charriere

Funny thing is I had no trouble ordering a coin from France from someone I never met, spoke to or had prior communication with, threw 2G in cash in an envelope, and mailed it, just like that, with nary a care in the world, but with your coin, I envision a large neon sign blinking on-and-off DEF-CON-1.and FULL STOP! But why? Part of it is... (you got time? Good!) When I met my fiancee's mother for the first time, I brought her a textbook on Calculus and a full-color, quality brochure for a top-of-the-line Patek Phiippe chronograph. Her sisters translated my English to French: "This is what I see in your daughter: perfection, beauty and a finished gem, both inside and out. She understood. Mike, I understand what you are trying to convey with mere words, but I am a certified Virgo. I would not accept that coin if it were offered to me free in an inheritance, regardless its true value. I don't acquire things that require an explanation down the line. I prefer the coin speak for itself. 🐓 : Pardon me, but wasn't that a holed coin that you got out of the mailbox last nite? Q.A.: Ricky, relax! That was a token by patients admitted to the Federal Narcotics Hospital (known by various names) pre-holed, for use in vending machines circa 1935. The only explanation required is why I bought it. (I'll save that for JB's Token Tuesday topic Irrespective of one's view, or that of a TPGS -- they call it details; NYPD homicide calls it a "through-and-through," a shot that entered and exited the deceased, cleanly. Gratuitous comment: Wanna compromise its value? Give it an acetone bath!

Just hadda remind me it's also been that long since a worthy 🐓 has turned up for my reg. set... Both nickels are Buffalo-ready!

That, and most regrettably... "What makes you think this is a counterfeit? Teach me!" This is where my path and those trod by the highly-acclaimed seasoned veterans on the various forums,who really ought to know better, diverge. Absolutely ridiculous that some illiterate fella in Guandong province would a). fail to acquire a genuine specimen, or two, and b).a stack of high-resolution photos, to boot, with which to compare their artistic skills with. Anyone with prior coiner experience already knows the basics. (I would not be surprised at all to find out some apprentices are members in good standing.) Apparently, no one with the intestinal fortitude here, can summon up the courage to say, "Pardon my impertinence, but aren't you the same person who was scammed in a widely-reported gold scheme, or was it that scamster writing to you from Nigeria...?" If, a month from now, my highly regarded source in France fails to come through for me, I will spare the membership crocodile tears. Almost to a man, those in the know will dismiss the loss as a cheap publicity stunt. After all, WHO sends cash money (crisp currency) through the U.S. Mails? A $20-dollar bill, maybe. Two $100-dollar bills? Possibly, if you know someone locally. But $2,000? to an overseas location? It turns out most of the people who lost their life's savings to Bernie Madoff did not know him personally. He was recommended by a mutual friend by referral. What could possibly go wrong? Have you heard about those impressive monthly account statements? And besides, he was no fly-by-nighter. His whole family was involved and, knowing the reach, investigative powers and infinite resources of the Federal Government, I am not inclined to challenge the assertions made by those claiming they had no prior knowledge of the scheme that kept ballooning out of control. The result was inevitable and the deaths of family members, and requisite banishment of his wife far, far away from everything, was tragic. I suppose he could have turned back but my own feeling was he was in too deep. He could not stop... he had to be stopped. (Posted at the sole discretion of Moderation.)

To my my most faithful and devoted fan @zadok , and the membership-at-large... 1. z: be assured you will be reimbursed for disabling your "sad" emoji which saw more action than the Marines at Iwo Jima; 2. I was diagnosed as a "Danny Downer" by the OP. Sandon was elevated to "Rocket Scientist" which effectively supersedes his status as "Newbie." 3. All kindly note my contribution to broadening the "body of knowledge": The "Q" in Q-tip stands for Quality. 4. Contrary to the OP's claim, two photos of the "washed-out" FEC remain. Seek and ye shall find. 5. Acetone, one of the most common and effective liquids used to rinse powdered cocaine, is banned for export to coca-leaf producing countries by the USG, and remains on its list of prohibited precursor products. 6. Acetone... prolonged exposure to its toxic fumes in enclosed areas without adequate ventilation is the reason why workers of primarily Asian owned nail salons are plagued by headaches, dizziness, memory-loss and ultimately brain damage (as reported in a paper of record.); 7. Whatever the justification for its use, as with clothing and accessories, it is always best to apply acetone on sample coins of equal composition and quality but lesser value first. The OP crows his FEC looks fine, notably using a term no one else has: "washed-out"; 8. "Wrong" is rude and disrespectful. Only Kurt is allowed to use that descriptor. (You can only be insulted or become angry, if you allow yourself to be. That is why z and me get along swimmingly well. Besides, he's obliged to defend Oldhoopster's honor. I understand.); 9. Post left blank. 10. @ Idhair: I did, in fact, accept your offer to "teach me," but moderation thought the better of it. (Posted at the discretion of Moderation, with my express assent.)

I don't know... I think it's best to dispense with the formalities and niceties and get to the heart of the matter. It is my understanding that all innovations are incorporated routinely as standard operating procedure. What we need is an unbiased opinion from someone who is unalterably opposed to certifying everything under the sun. A second opinion, as it were. And who better than @VKurtB is qualified to render an opinion? All in favor, say "Aye!"

... I em jus, howw u seh, awl (viejo) ill liritt... I no tink acid-tone gut 4 (quattro) 'rigin'l minnt lustar.

You kiddin' me? That giant, in-your-face, impossible to overlook, jagged San Andreas fault line on the bell, with unyielding pressure so great, the bell broke and could not be rung anymore! Numismatists have quaintly referred to it is a "crack," from time immemorial, but they have little, or more practically, No knowledge of how tectonic plates work and the role subterranean pressure works far below the surface beyond visual examination. Besides, before you get ready to pounce, would you care to explain how your "crack" healed itself? Yeah, teach ME !

FINALLY... a Franklin Half w/o that die break. 🤣

Okay, fine, never clean a coin. Why? Because Mike and a gaggle of others say so. Scenario: Drop a coin in the mud, find an open fire hydrant and before I can make my move, someone whose credentials are unimpeachable will say (now that I've shorn my meter-long beard) "Son, I wouldn't do that if I were you." Startled, I would look up and say, "But this water's been voted the cleanest, best-tasting, most refreshing water in blind taste tests conducted with brand-name waters from all over the world!" He'll come back with, "Maybe so, but it's not distilled." End of conversation... So water is out, but a chemical is in? Look at your coin. The one on top looks normal, circulated, and naturally brown with age. Now take a look at the bottom. It looks CLEANED !!! . Positively, unmistakeably pale! CuNi-ish! All traces of the surgery that was conducted on the eagle leaving a scar where some [Expletive deleted] shot an arrow at the lower end of its neck was removed. No plastic surgery needed! The wonder drug, acetone, obliterated all traces of it. I do not believe it is worthy of submission, but if you came looking for me I'd be the guy sitting outside on the fence next to the security booth at NGC HQ waiting for a preliminary assessment. 🤣 I have always thought tipping someone with a dirty coin or bill was inconsiderate. The same goes for submissions -- and posting photos. (And I agree, hands should be washed and finger nails cleaned and trimmed when displaying coins.) Incidentally, do you perceive any conflict in advising collectors to "apply light pressure" while using a cotton swab with a chemical, and suggesting coins be "pat dried (do not rub)" after using water? 🤣 Of all the metals used, I believe gold to be the least problematic. I also believe original mint luster should never be sacrificed for a face lift. Dependent upon circumstances, any problems encontered, including all rare coins, regardless of condition, should be addressed by conservationists. Guess I'll wait to see what other members have to say. (Note: The foregoing comments are made good-naturedly, and posted at the sole discretion of moderation.)

@bstrauss3 : As difficult as it may seem to believe, things could have been a whole lot worse. Suppose she'd've called and said, "Where's all that money you promised me"? 🤣

The saying goes, Buy Low, Sell High. I had bought a great deal of silver from The North West Territorial mint, without problem. Silver, then, was "stable." Years later, unbeknownst to me, I looked them up on Google and was surprised to see all the negative reviews. That answered the question as to what happened to the two twenty-dollar bills I once sent "The Metal Mint" for a pound of copper I never got. Cu was in a free-fall and those folks understandably could no longer maintain a sustainable operation. I took it in stride. The silver I ordered from the NWT mint, sent to me in canvas (duck?) bags experienced the same problem, the only difference being I got my silver, I suspect, when Peter robbed Paul until there were no new Pauls to rob, everything ground to a halt. So yes, Buy Low and Sell High, but do not do so when prices are on a steady downward trend. Silver, post Hunt bros., had already bottomed out when I placed my order. I miss that Englehard hallmark and its weight in my back pocket (about 8 lbs.) but that was 40 years ago. A lot has happened since. Lucky for me, the best things in life are free, I live well within my needs, found a special woman, an apartment at less than half the rent I was paying, gold at its lowest when I got in, is now close to the highest it's ever been -- and do not have a care in the world.ife is beautiful!

What you fail to take into consideration is the public's memory is fleeting with a short attention span. Cases in point: the two men and sixty some odd others who made transatlantic crossings in 1919 -- yet Lindberg's name is the only one remembered. Quintus Arrius is a figment of someone's imagination on the numismatic forums of NGC and yet he (and his sidekick) who never existed in real life will be longer remembered than Farrah whose claim to fame is a single photo as a pin-up lady.

Nicely cropped! How 'bout shots of the reverse and the edges? A lot of Chinese fakes out there! 🤣

Relying solely on my certified negative three (-3) I.Q. and wary of the OP releasing a daisy cutter over my already rublle-strewn neighborhood, I should like to put this matter to rest as the Attica Commission noted 50+ years ago, "firmly and with finality." I say more evidence has been produced in support of the case of the existence of an "SMS" set than has been produced for the Loch Ness fella. What don't we know about them other than some members violently disagree with the usage of the designation? Nothing. Now if you commit the ultimate sacrilege and break up a set formerly in its OGH, sorry, but all bets are off. (I do not know if Sandon has ever engaged in such conduct personally, but speaking with authority that discourages debate, I would be inclined to accept his word unchallenged.) This topic has been bandied about long enough. That decision, ultimately, however, is Flying Al's to make.

Postscript: FWIW... I believe one of the two major TPGSs routinely photograph all coins submitted to them and equip each slab with a computer chip. I wrote asking whether it was possible to photograph half the certified slabs in my Set Registry if I sent them in, and was told yes. I received a swift assurance that submission was not necessary because photos of all coins are taken and copies (visual I assume) are already available for a fee. I do not know what NGC's policy is as regarding the Topic at hand, but agree re-certification and re-encapsulation is an unavoidable necessity..

If I may I should like to respond, helpfully. To my knowledge, this topic had been addressed on two prior occasions. Why those members, who got valid responses and do not appear to be interested in sharing them with another member, is beyond me. All I can say is each TPGS has its own criteria and classification system.. Since it is not possible to view your set, formally, on a Set Registry, I cannot render a conclusion without doing a little comparison shopping. *** *** A 1933 SG DE is out there somewhere. There are 3 types of such.sets on the West coast, and EC, its owner, ranks # 1 in two. Focusing on the Type 3, With Motto, MS, 1908-1933, there are 844 of 2500+ sets, and he has accumulated 657,255 points. Here is the forbidden question: How many points was his coin, an MS-65, awarded? (Yes, this is a trick question made trickier by the fact one of the two TPGS notes: "15-20 known.") I Iike sets that hew to the same grade line. My 🐓 set, presently ranked # 7, at MS-66, is not possible to complete because the grade I arbitrarily chose is not available for half the earlier dates. (As noted by the distinguished numismatist, z, this does not mean they do not exist; they simply have not been certified and hence, do not appear on any population/census report.) I wish I knew the answer to your question but the fact is there are a multiplicity of factors considered beyond date and grade. Some are "Top Pop," rarity/scarcity, and, irrespective of all those, whether your set(s) are complete. I could have "completed" both sets if I had the guts to waive the self-imposed, 66-or-else requirement, and more importantly, if the East coast-West coast (factions) combatants had a sit-down and resolved there differences amicably allowing the inclusion of their competitor's World Gold coins in their respective Set Registries. 🐓 : Thanks for not BUMPING this post!

I listen to you because you deal with this on a daily basis. Even a "Rising Star" like me, here only 5 years (with jail time credit for that trip to Vladivostok, courtesy NGC) 🤣 understands mortality and borrowed time. My advice to those in my predicament (70 years, and older) is get down to brass tacks to avoid unanticipated developments which, fortunately for you, would be beyond your understanding. I am not a doctor so I cannot help you, except give you advice: seek out a money manager -- and look both ways before you cross the street.

Welcome to the Forum! I believe you are now the record holder for the shortest interval ever recorded for becoming a member, signing in and posting a comment! Now, to a satisfactory answer to your question. Firstly, it is a beautiful coin. But without the encapsulation and certification number, it would appear that -- credible explanation, notwithstanding -- you would have to "re"submit the coin for "re"certification unless someone in NGC Ancients, relying on institutional memory, can conclusively ID the coin with photos in their database. That's simply my guess. Without the numismatic accoutrements, your coin has reverted to raw status. And that means recertification, and every thing that entails. To be fair, I believe you should wait to see what some of our more experienced members have to say. Good luck!

Not at all surprising you would mention the one word the seasoned veterans have thus far assiduously avoided: AGE. Perfectly understandable. They intend to live forever. And the mere possibility that their work ethic may fail to coincide with their progeny has never crossed their minds. What happens to motivation when the vaunted goal has already been realized, many times over, and handed over on a silver platter to those who share your passion to the extent they represent $$$ signs, and little else? Examples abound in life. I have my plans. You have yours. And unlike many others, we will benefit each in our own way. I plan to present my collection, unannounced, to my then rookie attorney who accepted my case gratis and was "persuaded" to acquiesce to higher-ups to accept a settlement in lieu of my desire to decimate my slumlord into bankruptcy for standing up for what JB quaintly referred to once as the "downtrodden," i.e., those who were unaware they had rights as set forth in leases owing to their unfamiliarity with the English language and inability to deal with a dozen city agencies, their inspectors and engineers. My collection did not cost me a dime; I hope you realize top dollar in selling yours and wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Congratulations on maintaining your thread whose chief value lay in introducing coins to those who otherwise never would have seen them.

Not exactly. What you have managed to do is refresh my recollection that it was fun at one time and that was in my youth, seemingly a century ago. So what changed everything? Lots of things. Collecting was much simpler years ago. You went out and bought a coin album and filled it with coins found In change. You basically can no longer do that. When silver was withdrawn from circulation, it was replaced with play money: clads, and the ultimate insult: proof clads. As far as I am concerned, anything that is not real -- the once proud Lincoln cent with wheat ears, quarters vending machines would never rejectt, the entire dollar coin series beginning with an overbearing Ike, half dollars which are not made for circulation and aerial anachronisms like two-dollar bills that are interesting to own but no shopkeeper has a space for in their tray -- has no collector value. Ever drop one of the newfangled coins on the floor? No pleasant ring. Only a thud. Instant validation that you do not have the "real thing." As with anything else, there are exceptions. Then to revitalize the market, TPGS sprung up. A scaling system was adopted. On the Mint State side, extreme distictions arose and with them, values. So we all have brand-new coins, but "mine is better than yours -- and in many instances, worth twice as much as yours. Yeah, barrels of fun. My feeling about MS-69s differs from yours. To me, it represents nothing more than an A-minus on a school report. It implies "it's better than most, perhaps, but not best. Quiet is kept, I would just as soon settle for a low-ball that is accepted for what it is and has become. Registry Sets are fine until the upgrading fever gets the better of you. I canceled my subscription to Heritage Auctions when they sent me a notification that fully 13 coins met my WANT LIST requirements. (I collect one of eleven of the French 20-francs series.) What they sent me were coins from other countries bearing standard catalog numbers which bore no resemblance to mine and the ultimate insult: lower mint state grades. There are only a few places in the world that sell top shelf coins in my series, so I notify them, and sit back and wait. Fun? Fun is Coney Island. You know who's going to have a barrel of laughs? All the Ignorers, doubting Thomas's and Debbie downers who find out I stuffed U.S. currency into an envelope, stuck a stamp outside and mailed it without knowing if the item will be in stock when it gets there from someone I never met, spoke to or sent a previous text to. I am a risk-taker and although a dozen things can go wrong, one or two may, and my many detractors will savor the experience of seeing me laughed right off the Forum. Yep, collecting is a lot of fun...

Awhile further back, PCGS introduced Near Field Technology, an embedded computer chip as a deterrent to counterfeiting and assisting collectors with questions concerning authenticity of the encapsulated product. Att @physics-fan3.14 : You will be pleased to learn Quintus Arrius and his coterie of trolls have departed the premises. Welcome back!

It may not seem like that to the average e-Bay user, but you do have options -- and your own strategies that work developed over time and experience. The first option is obvious: a sale price. (Now there is an installment plan as well.) First come, first served. The choice is yours. The second option is: bidding on an item. A minimum is established as well as a time line. The progression proceeds on an incremental scale, e.g., from $200.to $225., and up, until expiration which is usually within one week. The third option is, Or Best Offer (OBO). This is akin to telling you this seller wants to get as much as he can, but an offer of 50% of the sale price is inadvisable and unrealistic. Try what you feel would work. There are a few strategies I have devised. Waiting until the last day, the last hour and the waning minutes can work unless someone has pre-bid a lot higher, anonymously. Many times, being impatient (in my case, with French 20-francs gold roosters) I would take the bid, if $0.00, and reset it at gold melt to weed out the non-contenders and study the progression of serious principals. I have placed bids successfully with only ten seconds remaining on the clock. Your greatest success may occur in the wee hours of the morning when fewer people are awake placing bids. One point I should like to emphasize is sell prices may seem "take it or leave it," but early on I would contact the seller with a modest 5% to 10% off and immediate payment if they would accept it. Many do, and have. Recently, I bought a token by using a different tack. I plausibly explained to the seller that his example, many finer examples of which I claimed I owned and bought for less, was cleaned using two different methods (representing I knew more than he did) and suggested a FMV of 25% off his sale price, which he accepted immediately. It was a strong strike with strikingly distinct denticles which I would be happy to post on JB's thread after examining it more closely in hand to see if there is some way of enhancing its color safely with a short safe bath. Please feel free to share your approaches to buying on e-Bay. Bear in mind, some kid in Nebraska, relying on logarithms, may deny your winning bid falsely claiming the problem is not on their end (PayPal) but yours. I found that out the hard way when I bid on a giant gorgeous Mexican 50-peso, 1.2 t z coin described as an "heirloom" -- the seller's other merchandise included no coins whatsoever -- was denied me because PP determined it did not fit my "buying pattern." It was 2 a.m. Sunday morning. What could I do? I walked into my bank on Monday and a platform assistant assured me there was nothing wrong with my account. (I already knew that.) But enough about me, what about your thrills of victory and agonies of defeat? The floor is open!

🐓: I hope the OP doesn't mind, but ---- Q.A.: ---- I AM THE OP... speak up! 🐓: I don't get why that was the "wrong answer." You yourself said without him watching from the wings, you're nothing. And French petit fours are pastries! What's that got to do with anything? Q.A.:. I have no idea. Strut around and see what you can find out. Right now I've got that greeting card on my mind. If it doesn't go thru, Uncle z's premonition comes true. No more forum! No more chatboard! No more nothing! It's back to a Hard-Knock Life! 🐓: Your wish, sire, is my command. (I hope he knows what he's doing...)

This is an example of the epitome of numismystique My crime is I have STEPPED on toes. You have BUMPED threads ( and others have begun to do so, too.) Seriously, there is method to their madness. Malheureusement, separating rhyme from reason is not one of my stronger points. (That sounds a whole lot better than saying I failed STATISTICS six times in a row... consecutively.)