Jim Bisognani’s Coin 12 months in Overview – NGC Weekly Market Report ……
Wow, one other Christmas has come and gone, seemingly within the twinkle of a falling snowflake. The times main as much as the twenty fifth of December blitzed by, actually not like the perceived agony of these passing days in my youthful years. Again then, every day in early December gave the impression to be slowed down in molasses! I imply, it appeared just like the twenty fifth would by no means arrive again then.
All the time — a minimum of, inside my lifetime — the month of December has been crammed with conventional carols and in style tunes of the vacation. In fact, Beth and I did our justifiable share of watching vacation classics on TCM.
Seemingly scripted in Hollywood, Christmas Day was lovely right here in New Hampshire. We acquired simply the correct amount of snow on Christmas Eve. It was a nostalgic sight for positive, with everybody both dreaming of or wanting a white Christmas. And — to not be a Grinch — hopefully we don’t get any extra for the rest of 2024!
Yours actually was stunned with a number of nice numismatic presents from Beth! By Jove, she does have a eager and discerning eye. The 2 Malaya and Austria silver cash she selected are blast-white, frosted perfection. I can’t take my eyes off of them! I additionally picked up this lovely gold coin from the mid-Napoleonic period. This 1810 20 Franc is only a surprise to behold. I should get it graded by NGC someday quickly! The portrait of the laureate bust of Emperor Napoleon simply oozes traditional Roman coinage, I dare say.
But maybe my most appreciative and stunning reward was that from one among my fellow coindexters, who partly wrote to me:
“Jim, I positive do recognize the nice columns you publish. For my part, you ought to be included in Coin World’s “Most Influential Individuals in Numismatics” roster due to your wonderful work and dedication to the passion. Hope you could have an exquisite vacation season!”
Thanks, my fellow coindexter Dan G., for these form phrases!
As I replicate on all my years of being a coin nerd (firstclass!), I need to admit that the nice pleasure now’s for me to impart the numismatic information saved in my noggin. So, my fellow coindexters, if in case you have any questions, please be happy to contact me.
Properly, the calendar says we nonetheless have just a few days left in 2024. So, I say let’s roll out my 14th Annual NGC 12 months in Overview – Half 2.
What numismatic merchandise was in your first want listing?
Bob Inexperienced – Proprietor, Park Avenue Numismatics
It was a 3-Legged Buffalo!
Jeff Garrett – Founder, Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, Inc.
I began like thousands and thousands of others with a Whitman folder for Lincoln Cents, 1958 thus far. I attempted very exhausting however may by no means discover the 1941-S cent. I ultimately bought one via the mail from Littleton Cash Co., my first numismatic buy.
John Brush – President, David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC)
The primary one I can bear in mind was the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel. I labored lengthy and exhausting to construct my circulated Buffalo Nickel assortment, however that coin was only a dream for me. It remained on my want listing for a few years till I grew to become an grownup and eventually added one to my assortment in my 20s.
Charles Morgan – Editor, CoinWeek
Objects? Nothing particular, actually. However I at all times needed the chance to work with sensible numismatists, day in and day trip. I nonetheless do!
Jeff Kierstead – Proprietor, MintProducts Auctions
Again once I was a child, I’d undergo penny rolls that I’d get on the financial institution. I actually needed to seek out an Indian Head Cent.
Kevin Lipton – Proprietor, Kevin Lipton Uncommon Cash
I at all times needed a Bust Half. I assumed they had been actually cool and outsized!
Who was your first numismatic mentor?
Lianna Spurrier – Inventive Director, Numismatic Advertising and marketing
Like many individuals, a 1909-S V.D.B. was the “huge ticket” coin I needed for years. I stuffed most of a wheat penny Dansco album looking out via bulk wheat pennies and scouring eBay, however that S V.D.B. was the holy grail for my middle-school self.
Dan Goevert – Uncommon Cash 101
It was the 1950-D Jefferson Nickel. As an 11-year-old, I managed to finish a full set of Jeffersons, apart from the elusive 1950-D, so I positioned it on my Christmas want listing that 12 months. Santa was beneficiant and stuffed my stocking with an uncirculated instance. I foolishly eliminated it from its protecting holder as a result of I used to be so anxious to fill the empty slot in my blue Whitman folder. Thank goodness it wasn’t one thing like a Gem 1909-S V.D.B.!
Brian Timmons – Proprietor, Brian Timmons Uncommon Cash (BTRC)
Like each blue-collar coin-collecting child, I started with Lincoln Cents, Indian Cents, Buffalo Nickels, and Jefferson Nickels. I couldn’t afford silver cash but and was fascinated by gold, however it was approach out of my value vary. The primary “numismatic prize” I had my eyes on was a 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent — the important thing date that even non-coin collectors have heard of, wanted by all Lincoln collectors and coin fanatics! I wasn’t capable of personal this rarity till my late teenagers, once I had a gentle paycheck. I bear in mind it effectively… a Selection VF+ coin with authentic chocolate brown colour and a pleasant mild wooden grain look. It was an ideal collector grade for my blue Whitman folder (which I nonetheless have).
Chris B. – Ancients Collector from New Jersey
The 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln penny in 1966.
Brian Hodge – Associate, Lee Minshull Uncommon Cash (LMRC)
A 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent and a 1916-D Mercury Dime.
James Sibley – Collector from Texas
Like most likely each child boomer — a minimum of, these of us who began accumulating as children — my want listing contained a 1909-S V.D.B. Cent. Once I returned to coin accumulating after retiring six years in the past, it was the very first coin I purchased: an NGC-certified MS63 RB, bought on the Houston Cash Present in January 2019. It’s one among my few regrets — now, older and hopefully a bit wiser, I notice that I ought to have purchased an MS65 or MS66 RB; once I improve, I’ll be promoting the 63.
Jim Stoutjesdyk – Senior Vice President and Associate, Heritage Auctions
I actually received enthusiastic about cash once I was about eight or 9 years outdated. On a wet weekend, my father introduced his coin assortment house from the protected deposit field and unfold it out on the kitchen desk. I instantly grew to become hooked and needed to begin filling within the holes that had been lacking in his albums. One of many cash I used to be decided to get was the 1909-S V.D.B. Cent that Dad was by no means capable of finding in circulation. In order that grew to become nearly an obsession for me to get and was on my first want listing.
Which coin(s) in your private assortment maintain(s) essentially the most significance for you?
Chris B.
My historic Rome assortment.
Bob Inexperienced
I owned 20 Gem Isabella Quarters that I bought after my daughter, Isabella, was born. They graded (for my part) MS66 to MS67. When my daughter began school, I had all of them graded by a 3rd social gathering, and plenty of of them graded even greater! They funded her tuition, however I stored one MS68 for her.
James Sibley
Whereas the late Larry Miller’s (Utah Jazz) 1913-S Barber Quarter in MS65 is a favourite, I feel I like Walter Husak’s 1802 Giant Cent (MS62 BN) essentially the most.
Lianna Spurrier
I’ve two solutions for this one. First is a reasonably unremarkable Seated Half Greenback — once I was 11, my household helped clear out the home of a relative, who was a hoarder. We discovered just a few stashes of outdated cash that I received to maintain, essentially the most worthwhile of which was this Seated Half. Cleansing out that home is what actually received me enthusiastic about cash, and the Seated Half is the one coin I do know I nonetheless have that got here from that home. I even have the container and newspaper clipping we discovered it encased in!
The second coin is a gold reproduction of the Nova Constellatio Quint sample, produced by David McCarthy in 2018 for an Instagram giveaway. I gained the giveaway, then needed to be taught extra concerning the Nova Constellatios. I didn’t have lots of free time for coin analysis as a university pupil, however an project got here round later that semester to make a brief documentary about any historic matter of my selecting. So I took the excuse to analysis the Nova Constellatios. I put my ultimate documentary on YouTube, and that venture is what ended up catapulting me into my complete profession in numismatics. I’ve a photograph of the coin that began all of it printed on a mousepad in my workplace, and it’s a bit I’ll by no means promote.
Kevin Lipton
I’ve no private cash now, however the Gem Uncirculated Birch Cent and Wright Quarter had been my “faves” till I bought the pair a number of years in the past for near $10 million.
Brian Hodge
I’ve a lot enjoyable doing what I do day-after-day, and gaining access to such extraordinary items of historical past makes me not really feel a lot want to carry any cash personally anymore. I’m excellent at seeing alternatives for my prospects and once they rating and get what they need, I really feel fulfilled.
Jim Stoutjesdyk
Within the Eighties, my grandparents took me to a used ebook sale at a mall (sure, individuals truly went to malls within the ’80s!). I discovered a 1st Version Crimson Guide in almost mint situation and purchased it for $0.50. Later, I bought that Crimson Guide for $300 and used the cash to purchase a 1909-S V.D.B. Cent for my dad. Now that my father has handed away, I personal that coin and completely cherish it. I wouldn’t promote it for any value… effectively, possibly $100,000. I’m a coin supplier, in spite of everything!
John Brush
I’m a collector at coronary heart and have a tough time eliminating sentimental gadgets. I nonetheless have my set of circulated Buffalo Nickels that I treasure. I additionally proceed so as to add to my assortment of baseball-related silver rounds that I’ve labored on since I used to be six years outdated. I even have my dad’s Dansco album of Peace {Dollars} (that had been hidden within the roof of my home rising up — one other story for one more day!), my mother’s set of Washington Quarters and Three-Cent Nickels…
However now, I acquire gadgets which have that means to me from collections or cash that I’ve bought. These sentimental gadgets imply much more to me than the cash. As an example, I’ve a Saint from the primary $1 million deal that I purchased from Don Bonser — a buddy of mine — when these cash would have value you lower than $500. I used to be the one individual left within the workplace as a present was occurring someplace, so it was a transaction that I needed to deal with. It meant quite a bit to me that we received all of it to work!
I even have a Tiberius Caesar Silver Denarius that I acquired on my thirteenth birthday at a coin present on the Atlanta Waverly Resort in 1993. I even have the holder of the Buss 1984-S dime that I acquired for the Hansen Assortment, the NGC label from the 1885 Proof Commerce Greenback that I acquired in public sale for a similar assortment, and a number of other different items of numismatically adjoining collectibles that I’ve picked up alongside the way in which.
Jeff Garrett
I began accumulating British Commerce Tokens (Condor Tokens) once I was very younger. They had been minted within the 1790s and are available in very good situation. I’ve over 1,500 cash, with my favourite being the Woman Godiva difficulty.
When do you know that you simply needed to be a coin supplier?
Chris B.
I want I had the time to be a coin supplier!
Bob Inexperienced
I’m nonetheless a collector at coronary heart, however my first six-figure deal made me consider that this passion could possibly be a vocation. That was 40 years in the past, and as a collector, I haven’t labored a day over the previous 40 years. It’s simply enjoyable to carry all of the numismatic treasures and make lifelong associates alongside the way in which.
Brian Timmons
Inside an hour of attending my first coin present, I knew this was my calling. The motion at coin reveals is like nothing else on the earth for me. The chances and pleasure of discovering a really recent coin to the market that hasn’t seen the sunshine of day in a long time? Nothing else will get me up at 3 a.m. speeding round the home to get out the door just like the worry of lacking out on a very neat coin or assortment.
Jeff Garrett
Throughout my senior 12 months of highschool, I used to be provided a job in a outstanding Florida coin store. I made a decision to skip school and begin my numismatic profession at the moment.
John Brush
Throughout my first 12 months of grad faculty/seminary at Emory College. I did my first semester of courses and a required class internship as a Chaplain on the VA hospital. The expertise was sobering and enlightening for me, however I noticed that my abilities in life weren’t taking me into this calling. I cherished serving to individuals, however I discovered that working with collectors was additionally one other approach that you could assist. You are able to do a lot in your church and group as effectively, exterior the realm of “work.”
I completed my first semester, acquired a “B” in a category that I do know I deserved an “A” in, and because the second semester started, I began engaged on job interviews. I had presents from Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, Merena and even Spectrum Numismatics. I had interned for Heritage — which was a improbable expertise — however Dallas was a bit heat for my liking. I took the supply from Bowers, however it was later retracted as a result of company points. Spectrum proved to be the most important wild card, however it was a chance to go to California, so I took that. It ended up being an unimaginable alternative to be taught, and I’ll eternally be grateful to Greg Roberts and the group there that gave me an opportunity.
Jim Stoutjesdyk
In 1989, I used to be a pupil on the College of Michigan. The coin market was actually robust as a result of rumors of Wall Avenue uncommon coin fund cash coming into the market, because the comparatively new NGC and PCGS slabs had been revolutionizing how uncommon cash had been bought. I’d go to coin retailers after class and purchase cash, then promote them at coin reveals on the weekend.
My 5 roommates that I lived with in our off-campus home all had jobs making the then-minimum wage of $3.35 an hour. In the meantime, I used to be making about $3,000 a month with my little coin enterprise. That’s once I determined that being a uncommon coin supplier was most likely an excellent factor!
Jeff Kierstead
I had dealt in cash for a few years, however wasn’t positive that I’d make it a profession till I attended my first main present. That did it for me!
Brian Hodge
I began accumulating on a small scale at round 15 years outdated, however I didn’t decide it up severely till I used to be 19. I used to be honorably discharged from the Navy and wanted one thing to do, so I began shopping for and promoting cash. I in the end discovered Lee Minshull and the remainder has been an unimaginable journey.
Kevin Lipton
I knew that I used to be going to be a coin supplier after I purchased and bought my very first coin at 12 years outdated. I used to be at Carolyn Coin Trade in Paramus, New Jersey. There have been six sellers who had counters there. I purchased a unclean “Uncirculated-ish” 1840 No Material Half Dime for $10 from the man within the again, then bought it to Chris Stahle up entrance for $35. I used to be utterly smitten!
What has modified essentially the most with your online business since its inception?
Bob Inexperienced
Properly, for positive, the web. Our first web site was launched in 1994. It’s morphed into one thing we couldn’t have imagined again then. Investing within the tech aspect of the enterprise has completely reaped rewards.
James Sibley
Properly, as a collector from age 10 to senior citizenship, it’s a complete new world: Third-party grading, the web, set registries, improbable imaging, giant auctions… You identify it!
Lianna Spurrier
I began with numismatic advertising on the very starting of 2020, so whereas it’s been a a lot shorter timespan than others on this article, it’s lined some very tumultuous occasions. The most important change has been within the quantity of labor; for the primary 12 months or two, it wasn’t clear if it could be financially possible to make this a long-term profession. 5 years in, I’ve been capable of rent another person part-time and it’s trying like I’ll be capable of stick round for the lengthy haul.
Chris B.
As a severe collector, it’s the creation of the third-party grading companies — particularly, NGC and PCGS. With out them, the coin market wouldn’t be thriving within the style it now enjoys.
Jeff Garrett
The supply of data, for positive. Once I first began in cash, I bear in mind coin retailers wouldn’t value cash till the brand new Crimson Guide arrived. All the things concerning the passion is now obtainable with just a few clicks. You may amass a world class coin assortment with out leaving your basement! The web led to explosive development for numismatics. The invention of third-party grading is an in depth second.
John Brush
Wow, it is a nice query! I joined DLRC in 2006. It had already gone via lots of modifications, rising from a mail order operation headed by a former collector to an enormous internet-based operation. I got here on board shortly after the Richmond auctions had concluded, so it was an fascinating time for DLRC. I had the chance to work and be taught from John Feigenbaum for 10 years earlier than taking cost and shopping for the corporate (with my associate, Dell Loy Hansen) two years later.
In my earliest time there, we continued to give attention to the retailer mindset of coping with collectors and increasing the web public sale focus in addition to going via the ups and downs of the 2009-2011 market changes. Since buying the corporate, the most important modifications have been studying the right way to handle a rising group of roughly 20 individuals, doing an entire redesign of our web site and backend know-how and increasing the corporate to providing a weekly high-end boutique public sale — referred to as the Crimson Carpet Rarity Collection — that ends on Thursday nights.
These occasions, together with working with some main collections — particularly the Hansen Assortment, of which I’m the curator — have stored me on my toes. As we are saying, day-after-day there’s something completely different taking place. That’s what actually energizes us to maintain making DLRC higher!
Jim Stoutjesdyk
Once I began working at Heritage in 1991, the web was mainly unknown to most individuals. We had no web site. Throughout my early years at Heritage, one among my jobs included being the editor of our month-to-month journal, the Heritage Insider. That publication was mailed out to our shoppers and included an inventory of our stock on the market and articles that I wrote. When the web began being broadly recognized, the executives at Heritage shortly realized that it could be a sport changer and invested closely in creating a very good web site to get a head begin on our opponents.
Quick ahead to immediately and Heritage Auctions has essentially the most visited web site within the collectibles business, with a mean of over 45,000 distinctive day by day guests and over 31 million annual visits. Fairly a change from after we had been mailing out {a magazine} and ready for days — and even weeks — till our telephones began ringing with orders.
Jeff Kierstead
Simple — undoubtedly the web!
Brian Hodge
We’re extremely effectively diversified with all kinds of tasks that attain even exterior the first enterprise of uncommon cash, attracting new consumers from different collectibles and industries. We’re always reinventing the when with what the passion can take, and I feel we’re true pioneers in that regard.
Kevin Lipton
We have now gotten into the trendy coin enterprise in a big style.
Do you could have any recommendations on the right way to appeal to and encourage new collectors to the passion?
Charles Morgan
I’d inform tales about cash — tales that join cash to tradition, historical past and shared experiences. For contemporary cash, promote cash as enjoyable life-style collector objects. Promote cash for truthful costs to the patron and set up two-way markets that promote shopping for and promoting.
Bob Inexperienced
Discover a collection you’re keen on and benefit from the journey. Constructing a group is a enjoyable and rewarding expertise!
Brian Timmons
I feel what PNG is doing with Subsequent Gen is improbable, and something the leaders within the business can do to sponsor and assist these younger numismatists discover their footing within the enterprise will assist safe extra collectors within the passion long run.
James Sibley
It’s a fantastic riddle: Can members of the alphabet generations, who grew up on all issues digital, be attracted in giant sufficient numbers to switch us getting old child boomers — who, in lots of circumstances, started accumulating cash as an off-shoot of delivering newspapers? Positive, there are YN’s, however are they going to be a big sufficient group to supply the demand essential to maintain costs? Taking part in with that piece of smartphone plastic in your hand is just not the identical as holding an inanimate plastic slab. It’s a fantastic query with no nice reply.
Chris B.
Begin the fervour early and encourage accumulating normally — there are only a few individuals on this world that don’t acquire something.
Jeff Garrett
It’s already taking place, however using social media is a huge enhance for the passion. There are lots of new, younger collectors now due to social media. Final week, John Feigenbaum and I began a brand new Crimson Guide Podcast. Each supplier ought to discover methods to make use of social media to develop their enterprise.
Jim Stoutjesdyk
With the ability to acquire cash out of circulation has at all times been an effective way to get new individuals within the passion. My father discovered a 1916-D Mercury Dime in circulation within the Nineteen Fifties, and he was hooked on coin accumulating for all times afterwards. I used to seek out the occasional Wheat Cent in circulation within the ’80s, which spurred my curiosity in shopping for a Whitman folder to begin accumulating Lincoln Cents. Within the 2000s, my daughter seen the brand new State Quarters in circulation, began placing them apart and finally tried to acquire one among every sort and mint mark. Making dramatic modifications to the designs of the cash presently in circulation would undoubtedly be a great way to draw new collectors.
Jeff Kierstead
I feel it’s a really exhausting proposition lately. Perhaps with the nation’s 250th anniversary arising, we’d see the final inhabitants take extra curiosity in historical past, which can hopefully appeal to and convey some new individuals in.
Dan Goevert
Podcasting. Youthful generations have turned to podcasting to get their information, info, and leisure. That’s the place the motion is lately.
Movies. It’s superb what number of views US coin-related movies can get on YouTube and elsewhere. Clearly, there’s an viewers there hungry to be taught extra about numismatics. On the danger of tooting my very own horn too loudly, I not too long ago entered the video promotion realm with this video. For me, it’s been enjoyable and inspirational to speak about U.S. cash and their place in historical past.
Brian Hodge
I feel conventional coin-related media is dying. Magazines and newsletters have gotten a factor of the previous that folks simply now not pay as a lot consideration to, so the longer term in reaching new blood is certainly on-line, in individual and thru social media.
Kevin Lipton
The attain in multi-media advertising cash has by no means been higher. Extra younger persons are conscious of coin accumulating via social media than ever.
Silver spot appears to be a discount within the $30 and up vary. What sort of silver cash can be the most suitable choice for any coindexters with round $2,500 to spend?
Bob Inexperienced
I feel a set of Gem Silver Eagles is a enjoyable and satisfying solution to spend $2,500 on this market. Keep in mind, silver was $50 earlier than and can get there — or go greater — once more.
Chris B.
Excessive-grade, NGC-certified silver ancients of Rome and Greece!
Brian Timmons
Purchase 1-ounce Rounds and Silver Eagles – or greater bars for a good higher discount. Silver ought to hit all-time highs in 2025.
James Sibley
You may’t beat the American Silver Eagles, whether or not bullion or Proof. They’re lovely to have a look at, enjoyable to carry and — you’re most likely proper, Jim — silver has received to begin catching as much as gold’s value escalation.
Jeff Garrett
Purchase as many various date MS64 or 65 Morgan {Dollars} as you could find. They’re a fantastic worth.
John Brush
I at all times counsel Silver Eagles when the premiums are only a few {dollars}, or silver Rounds near soften. There’s one million methods to put money into silver, however it’s additionally cumbersome, so I’d counsel simply shopping for a $20 Saint!
Jim Stoutjesdyk
I’d suggest something made out of silver that you could purchase for near the soften worth. Silver appears extraordinarily undervalued to me, contemplating gold hit an all-time excessive in historical past this 12 months. Purchase some pre-1964 90% silver cash or silver bars each month so that you value common your purchases, and I feel you’ll be very completely satisfied 5-10 years from now.
Jeff Kierstead
You should purchase some good Morgan and Peace Silver {Dollars} for a bit of over soften worth. That’s most likely an excellent place to begin.
Brian Hodge
I feel I’d simply purchase $2,500 value of Silver Eagles and journey the spot marketplace for a bit of enjoyable. If I had been doing it to additional my curiosity within the passion, I’d purchase a low-grade 1916-D Mercury Dime or some traditional rarity that could be a blue chip of worth.
Kevin Lipton
The silver commemorative collection from the Columbian Halves via Washington-Carvers is chock-full of bargains for Gem Uncirculated cash within the $100 to $250 vary.
What are your gentle or daring prognostics for 2025?
Charles Morgan
2025 goes to be a grind.
Bob Inexperienced
It’s going to be a fantastic 12 months for the passion, and for America!
Chris B.
I feel the high-end coin market (of all nations, and all collection graded by NGC and PCGS) will preserve going up. These are pretty liquid and moveable investments (when in comparison with different collectibles, resembling artwork and work) that many have discovered the right way to take part in tax-free.
Brian Timmons
I feel there shall be a lot greater metals costs and a large flow-in of recent collectors, and new cash into the passion.
James Sibley
2025 most likely gained’t look materially completely different from 2024 except the geo-political danger goes south. If Moscow, Tehran, and Pyongyang roll out nukes, all bets are off.
Jeff Garrett
There shall be some stunning consolidations of firms concerned within the passion.
John Brush
Properly, the College of Tennessee wins the nationwide championship in a minimum of one sport…
We’ll see a serious U.S. assortment hit the market. We’ve not seen one on {the marketplace} in just a few years, so it’s time to seek out one which’s far lesser recognized enter {the marketplace}. It ought to carry document values, as all uncommon cash are lately!
Jim Stoutjesdyk
As I write this in December 2024, Heritage Auctions is ending up its finest 12 months ever within the historical past of the corporate. All year long, I’ve seen broad-based demand for uncommon cash and bullion, with a substantial variety of six-figure — and even seven-figure — cash bought at public sale going to new shoppers. This 12 months, Heritage bought the 1932 Babe Ruth “Known as Shot” jersey for $24,120,000 and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939) for $32,500,000. My prediction for 2025? Maintain on tight: it’s going to be a wild journey!
Jeff Kierstead
The Crimson Sox will win the World Collection!
Brian Hodge
It’s going to be epic! Buckle up!
Kevin Lipton
There shall be document costs for CAC’s finest-known cash.
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Thanks once more to all of my coin comrades! For all intents, this brings down the curtain on 2024. I’ll see you all in 2025 with the thrilling conclusion of my 14th annual 12 months in overview!
Till subsequent time, be protected and completely satisfied accumulating!
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