Henri Charriere

Outta here... the Sequel Following is a pertinent extract texted to the Website Coordinator, presently out on leave, a few days ago. * * * I hereby tender my resignation as an Associate Member effective with the close of business, Sunday, December 31, 2023, at 2359 hours. * * * I wish one and all a happy, joyous and prosperous New Year.

[Your entire comment was laudatory, but one cannot stress enough the importance of consistency vs the evolution of one's thought. At a Senate confirmation period, nominees for this or that are skewered for relating schools of thought that have since evolved. Analogies: Earl Warren whilst Governor of California was a conservative. When he ascended to the SCOTUS, there were billboards posted throughout the Deep South condemning him for his activist rulings. (Governors are elected; U.S. S. Ct justices are appointed for life.) When Sam Leibowitz was a defense attorney, he defended the nine Scottsboro Boys in 1931 Alabama. When he later became a state Supreme Court Judge in Brooklyn, he became known as a hanging judge. JA is no different. I have reviewed most of the threads, sites and YouTube videos of same. Mark Feld, as a long-time friend stuck up for him unflinchingly. People change. Everyone is entitled to change his opinions or views. (Even Quintus ditched the Rooster and became Henri.) CAC and CACG do not appeal to me, per se, but I believe JA has been on the level during his long numismatic career. The point you've brought up is key. A change of mind does not necessarily indicate contradiction. Rather, when viewed through a multiplicity of lenses, it indicates flexibility and growth.]

A great deal of damage can occur to a circulating coin in 50 years...

Welcome to the Forum! The hour is late (10:30 pm EDT) and you are new. Having little knowledge of the '82, I am going to guess if the future is any indication of the past, the next truly informed comment you will receive will reference the coins' weight and accepted tolerance discrepancy. Someone should be along shortly with the proper answer to your query. I bid you good-nite!

This revealing thread preceded my arrival by a good ten years. Great public service in reviving it for all, old and new like. Thanks for the memories!

I am sorry to say you are absolutely correct! (I have never been able to get over the fact that I took good photos of a common, low-grade, silver half-dollar, proceeded to obliterate all possible identifying features, including the date, and submitted it with the hopes of obtaining a PO-1 grade. No date; no such luck.) The coin which is the subject of this Topic is listed presently on MA-SHOPS overseas with the following description: U.S. 1-cent mint error 200X (date) struck 20% off-center PCGS MS64RD, (cert # 42906327) price: €150; $166.48.

It took me a great deal of trial and error to determine what are the best times and dates to publish, and breaking with my own disciplined approach, coincidentally answered the latter part of your question in an excruciatingly exhaustive piece this past weekend (a big no-no for me) and as I predicted the entire production was promptly sidelined, later "cleared" per the Editor -- and predictably never saw the light of day. My departure is imminent and entirely voluntary.

For any member, guest or lurker who, having just read the foregoing comments and feel slighted, offended or humiliated, all I have to say is wait until the unpleasant surprise that awaits you when you, or your heirs, attempt to sell your holdings. The opinions volunteered are valid because they are informed by personal experiences, my own from years ago, included. To those who indulge in entertaining these gimmicks and bet not with their heads, but over it, your only saving grace will be less ebb and more flow in precious metals markets. As always, those who collect modestly and enjoy the hobby immensely, will come out best having made commitments they can comfortably live with.

Flawless proof coins exist otherwise they would not have been awarded the highly-desirable "perfect" PF-70 distinction. Is it a scam? I cannot see any TPGS willfully and voluntarily putting their reputation on the line to get involved in any such sordid scheme. If a collector chooses to involve himself in this specialty pursuit, there are two primary factors to consider: 1- if not specified in the ad, contact the seller to insure the coin you see is, in fact, the coin you will get, and 2- does the seller have a return policy with a realistic time frame. Prominent, long-term dealers with impeccable credentials and reputations will have no problem boasting: "If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, return it for a complete refund." Every coin collector should be aware of the possibility that a problem in their purchase may develop later on down the line if not for them, than for their heirs. I can recall dealers in the 1960's "assuring" me that so-called carbon spots in circa 1950's proof sets, specifically those stapled together in flimsy glassine holders packaged in square flat packs, were a common phenomenon. I have no opinion on the matter, one way or the other except to say U.S..Mint sales tactics of late are a bit aggressive and their prices are exorbitant if not outright extortionate. After all, if you are a collector of annual sets, in particular, what choice do you have but to continue to pay the ever spiraling issue price if you wish to maintain the momentum of your holdings.

Hypothetical... assuming a coin clearly exhibits only three of its four digits. Can it be, should it be Authenticated, Graded and Certified? Yes or No, and why?

[For the "kids" defined by one member as being under the age of 35, Kolkata and Mumbai, both cities in India once known for their squalor and abject poverty, were once known as Calcutta and Bombay, respectively.]

I am glad you decided to hang back on this. Submissions, contrary to what some "nattering nabobs of negativism" may believe, should not be regarded as a learning experience. Exhorbitant cost (in the case of unknown coins) is but one consideration. What will you write onto the submission form when asked what the value of your coin is for insurance purposes? No, the correct approach is to gather information and develop leads. First identify what you have, then submit it for confirmation if the circumstances warrant it. In light of what's been said, I would still hold back. Submissions, I read somewhere today from an authoritative source, can run from as little as $30. to $100. And I have heard members here say they would hesitate submitting anything whose value is less than $150 to $200. Find out what you have first, feel free to share your findings here and perhaps someone would be willing to make an informed decision for you. Good luck.

Trust me... I am intimately familiar with the feeling.

Looks like your report may have worked. I scrolled through a dozen cell-pages of listings for this item and could not find it. The least expensive offering was for $1.49. The most expensive went into the thousands of dollars. Anybody ever hear of an error described as a "dew-drop mint mark"? Me neither. If the price or claim is egregious enough, I will report it. This is why I continue to maintain buyers should not venture onto these sites without a chaperone. This applies to adults, too.

Technically, you're correct. But many sellers have parallel listings. When I discovered a seller I know and have patronized for years on eBay, I simply walked to his store and bought the item at a reduced price.

Ditto. Perfectly understandable!

I think it only fair to state I accept, without question, the facts as set forth by each of the participants in the above thread. There are so many facets to numismatics in U.S. coinage that it is virtually impossible to master each one. I wish to thank one and all for broadening my knowledge in one such facet.

Very fine line-up! Of note, the date on the obverse of the 4th piece, [14 July 1790] marks the first anniversary of the French Revolution. I would guess the French coins, and the Irish penny were not products of the Soho Mint. (Incidentally, an asterisk should appear next to the reference to FUN, and a note a la Sandon reading: "Attendance courtesy of Mrs. Spud.") 🤣

S A C A G A W E A.

Regarding that final A in AMERICA, any such contact constitutes harassment and if the bird depicted is a bald eagle, this is actionable under Federal law punishable by both a possible fine, a term of imprisonment -- and embarrassment.

Two things one may not do in the physical absence of the subject of the inquiry: a psychiatric analysis, and a medical examination. Give it two aspirins and have it come in when circumstances permit. 🤣

This past month, I paid my rent with a USPS m.o. that was over six years old -- which cleared because they do not expire. Would it be safe to say I came out ahead considering the devaluation of the instrument over time? (Rhetorical question.)

In that case we will depart from tradition and designate it, over any objections, as a 1957-D AU-59 MS (most steps). I am afraid designating it an MS (Mint State) after finding it in circulation by your own admission, would set a dangerous precedent. 🤔

While I can fully appreciate the point you are trying to make, comparing an MS-67 certified by one TPGS with an MS-62 certified by another, is inherently unfair. I am afraid, while you may be correct, those unacquainted with the series cannot be expected to proceed solely on the strength of the evidence, or lack thereof, presented. Any presence of wear can be ruled out and who graded what when is irrelevant, but to illustrate your point effectively, the viewer requires silver dollars minted at two different locations at, or very close, to the same grade and year.

Have you searched the internet for this item? There is a wealth of information to be found, particularly under Numista. The eBay listing is refreshingly honest for a gentleman with high ratings and a coin that is a dead-ringer for yours. He points out the authentic examples cost thousands of dollars and are made of gold and silver while stressing his is neither. There is also the punchline: "Buy three coins, get the fourth one as a gift." He is selling his example which is nowhere near as fine as yours for $14.99. Numista notes the silver one is .802 fine with a melt price of $16.14. This is just a brief overview. Doubtful yours is authentic, but only the guy who occupied the attic knows for sure.