Henri Charriere

This is a really tough one to pin down. You've got a signed slab with a carbon spot, slabs from two different grading services, one w/o any reference to Wells Fargo and the fourth and last that looks very official. Since cheating is a no-no and I know nothing more than each has a sizeable premium, I will go with the last slab.

Attn: @powermad5000 Hold-up-wait-a-minute! So-and-so "destroys all my nickels,..." How so? Why? (If I may be so impertinent as to inquire...) 🤣

And to think one "highly-acclaimed" seller without hesitation figuratively challenged me to a duel to the death over my suggestion he modify his price by knocking off the silly $2.03 on a purchase which ran north of $600. I know there are collectors here that feel the same way. I like even numbers. This was before state sales taxes were imposed on eBay. Ah, the good ol' days.

Unfortunately, I see two, actually three problems, here Your "highly-rated" seller will claim he did not grade the coin. The Mint will claim the coin is no longer in OGP and was no longer a recent purchase. I seriously doubt anyone would own up to admitting PMD is common and take no steps to address the problem. Two members have suggested returning the item. A reputable dealer, mindful of reviews and reputations will likely comply.

It's been so long since I have seen any of the three F20F GRs I desperately need graded MS-67, that my thoughts have drifted to the unthinkable; shifting my focus to the 10-franc gold rooster line. Three irregulaties became immediately obvious... 1. Four dates were never minted; the series parallels the 20-Francs' line, 1899 to 1914 -- but the '02, '03, '04 and 1914 are non-existent. Do I know why? Surely, you jest! 2. There are 10 sets listed -- but three collectors share the same rank: # 6, and each features a single coin! In fact, fully half the sets consist of only one coin. The average coin runs about $500. I have not seen one graded as high as MS-66, much less MS-67. 3. Reviewing the various compilations, I can detect no rhyme or reason to the grades collected. Apparently, the optimists sprung for the highest grade first -- and then reality sunk in. They settled for whatever they could get their hands on. While none are "scarce," they all are and the fact an MS-65 can command a $1,000 selling price tells you everything you need to know about attempting a "world-class" set. Every piece commands an inordinately high price and as the highly-esteemed member of few words [z] put it, in substance, it is what it is. The Fair Market Value of each varies with the current spot price of gold and auction results. They are, after all, bullion and managed to survive the ravages of wars, meltings and exports. As can be assumed, every 10-francs coin is 1/2 the size of its big brother, the 20-francs rooster -- and contains precisely one-half the amount of gold bullion: roughly a tenth of an ounce.

I challenge, i.e. dare anyone to introduce a follow-up feature, entitled: "Ten Tips from an Old-Timer for clueless, "couldn't-care-less" Members." Don't tarry! You never know when Dena, or the Grim Reaper may show up, unexpectedly.

It is not like no one saw this coming. If there were something they could have done, they would have already done it. Now there is nothing left to do but wait for the fickle market to render its verdict. Money talks, [barnyard epithet] walks.

At the very outset, allow me to assure any newbie or novice reading the foregoing for the first time, that I hold this member in the highest regard and in no wise should anyone feel his tone is less than cordial or respectful. To the contrary, I am honored by his very presence and consider the comments he posts with undivided attention. Tho I lack the mobility I once had, my set registries, # 6 "here," # 1 "there," have found favor with him, more particularly the latter. I am tickled pink. For all intents and purposes, lack of availability in the Rooster line has brought my ugrading efforts to a grinding halt. I am now little more than a dues-paying lurker. Should I find favor with He who created the birds of the air and formed dry land, I will assume the role I have prepared for my entire life: philanthropist. I shall Set up a mahogany desk in a public space and begin righting (writing) the wrongs every member has suffered in silence. Like Santa, I have kept a list going back many years. I do not need any more money than I already have. Set Registry building is merely a surrogate activity no different than those who collect orchids, classic cars, old bottles and fossils of trilobites. I serve at the pleasure of my hosts. 🐓

Unfortunately, the lesser of the two was sold before I had a chance to take a second look. If I see a coin whose price -- and this has happened on occasion -- is below rooster melt (about $400, as we speak) I will contact the seller and let them know. Without delay, all thank me profusely.

I am certain my expulsion, to the delight of my legions of detractors and ignorers will be assured with the revelation -- yes, I plead Guilty with an Explanation -- that I am not only in complete accord with the statements made hereinabove by the two learned gentlemen NGC palms off as mere Newbies, but embrace them entirely, hook, line and sinker. Why take that risk? Because what they strongly suggest makes perfect sense. It's been said you are never too old to learn. At 72, I am over the hill and in my final lap. If I am sadly mistaken and much work remains to be done, NGC [and the Great Zadok, compiler of pallets] will let me know in their own inimitable ways. If resisting NGCX is an actionable offense, I am prepared to receive my punishment for this monumental transgression. Nevertheless, I remain open to divergent viewpoints. Should anyone advance a compelling argument against these trains of thought, I will take back every misguided thought I have entertained.

I quote, "....every coin has its own FMV." But it is not necessary "for like coins to have the same FMV." HUH? Same coin: FRENCH 10-FRANCS GOLD ROOSTER. Same date: 1910 Same grade: MS-64... Certified by the same TPGS. So far so good. Asking prices: $556.66 and $432.36 (and not a penny less; that's when I got my lecture: "We believe the price to be the FMV of this piece....") Recalls that line used at the McCarthy hearings... "Have you no decency, at long last, sir?" I guess not. I don't see the U.S. Mint selling products made-to-stringent-specs on a sliding scale. Numysticism.

It certainly does but it's way out of my league. Maybe in my next life. 🤣

Is this your quaint and polite way of suggesting I spent hundreds of dollars for nothing AND worse, member @VKurtB's brash entreaties over the years to the contrary, had substance??? (Attention Dena: It has come to my attention by powerhouse, @powermad5000, that I am not worthy of the honorific, "Rising Star," graciously imposed on me and hereby surrender same, minus protestations, forthwith.) My only possible defense is certification is a prerequisite for inclusion in the Set Registry, but I have not been able to locate that elusive clause stating membership is mandatory. Drat! I hope the owner of that stone-cold coin from Yap doesn't see this.

I never should have retired. 🤣

I find myself in fundamental agreement with everything member PM5G just said. Now, let's ratchet it up a notch with a single simple question: what is the FMV of a '33 SG DE? Truth be told, we have some idea what it was, but have no idea what it may be. The price guides will indicate it sold for X million in year X. The presumption is the FMV will have risen since. It likely has. Unique coins are generally exempt from discussions about FMV. Set aside its storied history and The hype and hullabaloo which is sure to follow its re-sale (if there is one) and I would imagine, contrary to prior reports that the buyer did not choose to buy it because he was smitten by its look. Recall, too, that its prior owner also had a small block of stamps featuring the Inverted Jenny airmail stamp from 1918, as well as the unique 1847 British Guiana stamp. The concept of a Fair Market Value for these items do not apply as well. If there are such things as auction-eligible items, these top the list. There are, of course, coins that were stolen or are missing. Once again, FMV, as was very ably explained by PM5G in the previous post, will have to be established by a small group of investor types. Or someone who plies the owner with offers he hopes he cannot refuse. I began to realize this when I consulted the French Red Book (and web site listings) which supported the values cited which bore no reality to the prices American collectors routinely pay for coins overseas. This is particularly true for fairly unremarkable coins in the highest grades. Prices may be listed, but absent recent auction records, the collector, particularly set registrants, are on their own. Imagine the shock and awe routinely experienced by collectors of my series 🐓 who, in selling, are told encapsulation was superfluous and did not add value to the coin. It is my personal belief, FMV consideration aside, most coins -- more so those minted in recent years and already sold in OGHs, do not require encapsulation.

The topic seems simple enough: supply vs demand, right? Maybe not. As a member taught at the knees of those consummate professionals who are intimately familiar with the concept, one would expect my complete acquiescence to apparent numismatic authority. But a recent review of various websites suggests something else is amiss. Take the French 10-Francs gold rooster, 1910 "restrike," certified at MS-64 on one site. A seller on the site (as we speak) is asking USD 432.36, while another, on the same site, is demanding USD 556.66. What is the Fair Market Value? What factor(s) may account for the marked disparity in prices? Elsewhere, two 1905 "Originals" certified as MS-64 by two different parties elsewhere on the site are listed with an identical selling price: USD 659.35. Is that the magical Fair Market Price? Maybe. Suppose neither sells? Suppose the price of gold goes up? Suppose it goes down? Suppose Seller B spent more money to acquire his coin? Is he not entitled to attempt to recoup his investment? Is it the shopkeeper's fault if he wishes to make a profit on his wares? Can we really point fingers at eBay sellers to whom the only principle that applies is the Law of the Jungle? They will post an outlandish price to simply test the waters. If they elicit a bite, so much for FMV. My point is the true collector should regard any figures presented by any publisher as not only dated, but mere ballpark figures. And the buyer, after exhaustive examination and investigation, is always free to accept or reject a non-bidding price. What about the coin, coin set or extensive collection for which no Fair Market Value has been determined? Or the coin that has eluded the open market for years? For that "merchandise," there is the auction with or without reserves. What, if any, is your take on FMV? Are there presently any undervalued coin series? Absolutely. Have some become too overpriced? Indubitably. Feel free to express your thoughts!

Sounds like the story of my life with French roosters. Edit: Just took a quick overall peek at your compilation. I do not quite understand the distribution of points awarded, but your rank is # 1. That is something you can take great pride in! (First time I have ever seen an MS68 that was not a Top Pop. A truly magnificent collection and achievement! 🐓

I suppose one could be excused for wondering what a member with the formidable moniker @World_banknote_collector would expect to find on a forum devoted to coins. I think a former member's sidekick, Ricky the Rooster, 🐓 , tongue-in-cheek, expressed his displeasure the best... Blast from the Past! "I don't like it over there, (CT). All they do is talk about coins."

FWIW... I should like to direct the attention of all participants (and inadvertent guests, lurkers and other passer-bys) of this topic to a column featured on Google, and presumably other sites as well, entitled: "Coin Talk Reviews and Complaints," featuring 3 negative out of three complaints received, dating back to 2021. If you feel you have something germane to add to the compilation, I would urge you to do so. You would be doing all parties involved an immeasurable public service.

Here's a bold statement... They need ME, more than I need THEM! So there.

(Enquiring minds would like to know whether unavailability explains why you have not filled the slots for '76, '89 and '00 on your Set Registry or whether the examples you have found are not CAC-worthy in your opinion. That's a very powerful set!)

This is a great deal more complicated than simply "expediting" a matter. You are, essentially, advocating for someone with whom you are unacquainted. To date, no one knows what he allegedly said or did. I am not familiar with their Guidelines, are you? Many prominent members here, were forced to emigrate from there. Every Forum is a living, breathing thing whose atmosphere and ambience can change in a heartbeat subject to who is on it at the moment. Complicating matters are unseen forces which may militate against retention and, most troublesome of all, participation is a privilege -- not a God-given, or constitutional right. To truly understand your "client," you would have to appreciate the complex inter-personal dynamics at play there at different times of the day. Apparently, early on, an assessment was made your "client" was not a good fit within the confines of their Forum. By all means, work your magic. I would need a lot more information first, and the luxury of time is something I don't have. *** Blast from the Past! 🐓 : So, if everything you've said is true, how were you able to come back... so many times? Q.A.: Easy. It's generally referred to as putting on an Academy-Award winning performance. 😉

The bad news is you didn't get it. The good news, if you can call it that, is the shipment wasn't lost. I am willing to bet your correct address may have been misread (if NGC confirmed) the address you provided was correct. Whatever happened to that "if you absolutely, positively" need it shtick? If memory serves, you are entitled to a reimbursement of costs. (My claim was honored.) I would not ship through another carrier. What I would do is contact FedEx after reading their online spiel, provide the tracking number assigned and request an explanation for the failure to deliver. You may also want to consider taking down that poster on your fence that reads: "GO AHEAD [blown-up photo of gun pointed directly at viewer, followed by] MAKE MY DAY! @GoldFinger1969 : This is your cue to re-post that video of the fast-talking FedEX man.

I am aware of the discrepancy (and controversy involving the two relay sled teams fueled in large part by lore compounded by artistic license as promoted by the revisionist history as presented in the Disney film, but am not prepared to challenge your eyewitness account. 🤣

Nope, no can do. As the late great Oldhoop would have counseled: "Go look it up!"