Best Of

eBay looked into my two reports - one that the coin wasn’t genuine and the other, that the seller was misrepresenting the coin as being certified by NGC and CAC. And they determined that the listing wasn’t in violation of their policy.

Some additional 1916 coins for my Uncirculated set that will take some time.

Big Boy 4014 coming to Northeast Ohio: Where to see world’s largest steam locomotive
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CLEVELAND, Ohio — The world’s largest operating steam locomotive is heading to Northeast Ohio.
Union Pacific Railroad’s famed Big Boy No. 4014 will pass through the region in June and again in July as part of a rare coast-to-coast tour marking America’s 250th anniversary, giving the public multiple chances to see the historic locomotive in motion

CHANCING UPON SAKURA IN FULL BLOOM IN LATE APRIL

A late April visit to Hakodate, Hokkaido's second largest city, is rewarded with catching the cherry blossoms in full bloom. In this playlist ride with us as we drive under a canopy of Sakura in full bloom overhead on Sakura Dori (Cherry Blossom Lane.). Then continue the ride with us past Sakura filled Goryokaku Park,

The BELOW LINKED playlist continues with the discovery of tasty Hairy Crab found at the Morning Market as well as watching the making of Giant Frisbee-sized senbei with smashed squid.at the train station.

Link to video Playlist of Sakura in Full Bloom, Hairy Crab and Frisbee-sized senbei:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLtb5zi734BfZQ7QbdtEIiHmRVCa8YKBbU

Concurrently taken photos:

SHARE A VISIT TO NAGASAKI JAPAN'S HISTORIC DEJIMA ISLAND

In this Playlist see the reconstructed merchant buildings that line Dejima Island's Main Street and then come inside the building where a huge scale weighed the goods that were being imported and exported by the Dutch merchants who occupied the Island after the Portuguese and their Christian influences were expelled as Japan chose to remain isolated for the final 200 years of Tokugawa Samurai Rule before the 1863 Meiji Restoration that brought the Emperor to power.

This small fan-shaped island consisting of just a few blocks was the place in Japan foreigners were allowed to reside and trade during that period of isolation.

Link to Playlist Videos of Reconstructed Trading Houses and Weighing scales on Nagasaki Japan's Denim Island:"

https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLtb5zi734BfbPT4Y12eHCCRGV2dOh3YD6

CONCURRENTLY TAKEN PHOTOS:

Period Drawing of the fan-shaped Denim Island as it appeared in the late 1600's:

Dejima Island's Trading Houses as Reconstructed Today:

Widow's Keep Observation Platform Atop the Central and Main Trading House:as Reconstructed:

Period Drawing of the Observation Platform:

Inside a Reconstructe Trading House with its huge scale for weighing goods being imported and exported:

Period Drawings of the Giant Scales as they were used by the Dutch Traders on Dejima Island:

Views from along the two mile walk from the Nagasaki Cruise Ship Port just below Glover Garden and Dejima Island:

LAST WEEK'S SAIL AWAY FROM YOKOHAMA JAPAN

This Sail Away Playlist has it all: Departing Yokohama's Osanbashi Pier, the Fading Yokohama Skyline, On Deck Sail Away Party Dancing and Music, the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship Slipping Under the Yokohama Bay Bridge with just inches to spare, and even the Captain blasting notes from the ship''s horn to replicate the Love Boat theme song.

Link to Playlist of the Sail Away on the Diamond Princess from Yokohama:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLtb5zi734BfaQbwyO5eG9-DCAtyBEo04r

Screenshot from the above linked video playlist as the ship sails under the Yokohama Bay Bridge with inches to spare:

WW 2 vintage