Henri Charriere

... he is, 20 to 3, at half-time, anyway ...

You are being too kind. Actually, this Ike is rare, if not unique. Behold the crater on the right side of the bell left behind by a meteorite strike amidships and adjacent to the three similarly-sized strikes on the lunar surface.

...the "next fad" isn't one until it becomes one -- and when it becomes one, it's too late...

My uninformed guess is Kegs were heavy and unwieldy. Canvas had a limited service life and developed holes over time. (I doubt there was concern over damage with prolonged friction.) But linen? Was silk too dear? Was Linen used as an interim measure? 🤔

Merry Christmas, my friend!

Still hard at work combing through the files of history, on a holiday yet! I have never given this much thought before, but then why would I? Silver started to vanish 60 years ago? Nevertheless, this was probably the origin of the expression: I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!

FWIW: Oklahoma and Missouri have both filed bills for the 2024 legislative session that would eliminate state sales tax gains on the sale of gold and silver. Both are already among the 42 that do not levy sales taxes on gold and silver bullion.

Blast from the Past! 🐓 : Very informative topic, and Sandon's argument was not only clear and convincing, but logical. Irrefutably so. Q.A.: Yup, now I know why your older brothers tend to be a coppery color and your younger ones are a gorgeous honey golden hue. Uncle z said you were all of the gold bullion persuasion but we now know the Originals circulated a whole lot more than the Restrikes, a sizeable number of which not only did not circulate, but were minted many decades later which explains their lovely original mint luster. Do have a Merry Christmas! A bientot! 🐓 : Merci. 2024 is going to be a good year. I am getting a strong feeling we'll find my brothers, "Ten," "Thirteen" and "Fourteen," in tip-top, fleur de coin, shape! Merry Christmas to all!

Anyone with bank and perseverance can dethrone me. It comes with the territory. Nothing personal.

I can save you the trouble -- and tears. Whatever the reason, varieties as we know them are not recognized in the Rooster line and there are a few. As you know, "Dieu Protege La France," or God Protect France is the edge lettering used on the Originals (1899-1906). "Liberte Equalite Fraternite," or Liberty Equality Brotherhood is used on the Restrikes (1907-1914). Malhereusement, an unknown number of Restrikes bear the earlier edge lettering, and with the absence of official recognition, edge lettering on many encapsulations completely defeat any attempt to distinguish which restrike may have it. While the older roosters appear to be darker, many new ones can be found bearing a distinct coppery glow, and yet the alloy used for both are the same.

Kindly remove the coin from the flip to enable viewers to more accurately assess its finish.

As one rather vocal seasoned veteran, expressing his own opinion, put it, in substance... the vast majority of coins neither require nor belong in sarcophagi. I will attempt to answer your opinion with an anecdote. The amount of time spent authenticating and grading and encapsulating a coin takes about as much time as a powerhouse Washington, D.C. attorney spent deliberating a problem put before him years ago. His reply was, "No." His fee for a few minutes work? $10,000. Why? Because he saved his client a million dollars he would have squandered had he gone thru with a business deal. Although many hobbyists will deny it is a factor in FMV, I not only believe it is but would go so far as stating coins certified by the top grading concerns will command a measurably higher price than one put out by a marginal, lesser-known company without a proven track record of reliability.

[To Moderation: where exactly should I look to find my previous content that "has been cleared by the Editor, and restored."]

Fundamentally flawed.

... and a blast-white, bright and shiny Peace dollar to all!

100 Years Old! Nice!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! May your holiday be filled with warmth, comfort, and joy.

They may be "color-blind."

[Vocabulary tsunami! You have nothing to fear. I merely wanted to point out that all sources, including the "French Red Book" insist the Restrikes are distinguishable from the Originals by their redder color. However, I have plenty of high-grade examples which suggest there are many exceptions to the contrary. Problem is, the entire F20F GR line is comprised of an identical 90% gold/10% copper alloy.]

If true, i.e., the use of subpar materials, that doesn't bode well for an upstart. At the very least, I would expect a state-of-the-art museum-quality mausoleum with chip technology to insure the integrity of the product in repose has not been compromised.

According to the Ten Commandments as set forth by member Captainrich, regardless how I feel I must argue vociferously and convincingly that this is a fake... so, sorry, my hands are tied. 🤣

I would say so but I wouldn't be able to tell you why. Coins simply occur to me. I either like it, or don't. I have a peculiar buying policy that no one would ordinarily admit to. I don't care about provenance and if the coin has no luster or toning, it makes no difference to me. I do not even have to see the coin. I keep it simple. Right now, I am in the market for any one of three F20F GRs. If it's in a West Coast slab, so much the better. I can kill two birds with one stone: avoid a risky criss-grade and avoid a membership fee which is only necessary for submissions for certification. There is a psychological aspect, too. If a DE were slabbed and you hid the paper insert, I wonder how many people would change their pecking order. That last slab is chock full of information. A slab like that beats a blank any day. And, to me, the coin simply looks better. Price? In the mystical world of FMV, purely a formality which imparts no meaning.

I suspect the venerable VKurtB will get a rise after reading this little snippet. 🤣

You answer lies within the description: "Tribute Penny." That expression is understood to mean an authorized counterfeit the marked disparity in weight of which signals this is a faithful reproduction.