Who here has an ancient membership badge

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Capgun
Capgun Posts: 981 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

If so, what do you think of the board's evolution over the years?

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  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have one, but not as Mr_Spud, I have an older username of MrSpud that I couldn’t get to work for a while for some reason. So I created a new one with the _ in the username. But then, a few years later, I figured out how to log back in under the older username.

    The forum basically hasn’t changed too much over the years, but it used to be more exciting back in the day.

    Mr_Spud

  • bronzemat
    bronzemat Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I don't really pay attention to these badges, but apparently I do have the "ancient" .

    I miss some of the people that used to post on here, but sadly most have passed away and a few just stopped posting for their own reasons.

    Otherwise, not much has changed.

  • BuffaloIronTail
    BuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "BuffaloIronTail. You earned this badge October 25, 2017 12:10AM".

    I miss my roomies who have passed away the most. I've made some great friends and acquaintances while hanging out here.

    I've also learned a ton.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • Swampboy
    Swampboy Posts: 13,257 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 4, 2026 6:00PM
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    No idea when the badge was conferred on me.

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

  • Swampboy
    Swampboy Posts: 13,257 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Catbert said:
    Now there is much debate by certain members who like to argue.

    Everyone needs a little attention now and then right 😅

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

  • gonzer
    gonzer Posts: 3,091 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Catbert said:
    Maybe it's the summer blues infecting my mood and the natural tendency to remember the past more favorably, but I find the U.S. forum less and less interesting from when I joined around 20 years ago.

    Now there is much debate by certain members who like to argue. Also internet etiquette means little to many. I do credit this forum with being an important source for my hobby education and think my time here has been well spent in the past. However, lately.....meh.

    +1

  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Huh? Damnitman, now I'm ancient?!!

    And by the looks of it, I've been there a while (May 22, 2020). :o

    When I first got here in 2004, it was the Wild West. The Open Forum was still in full swing and the banter was fast and furious. But it was fun, and informative too.

    For me the best balance for banter and knowledge/overall comradery was probably between about 2006/7 and 2012/3 ... although I was on hiatus for a few years thereafter that point and before I got the "ancient" badge.

    Like @Catbert , these days I think sometimes this place devolves a bit. I would say it reaches for the lowest common denominator, and becomes a bit of a cesspool of arguments, trolling and negative comments. I try to ignore it, but since the overall pace of new and informative/interesting threads and posts has slowed over the years, it can be harder not to see the s***.

    My 2c ...


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • oih82w8
    oih82w8 Posts: 13,209 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    What does the "ancient" emoji look like?

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,392 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I still like it here. Very educational, interactive and fun. I miss some of the members who have passed on or moved on, but that is to be expected.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • coinhack
    coinhack Posts: 1,226 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I received it in August 2023. Until today, I didn't even know what it was

  • BruceS
    BruceS Posts: 1,554 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I didn't realize I had one either until this thread, do they stop BD cakes after 11? What's next? Or are we too old for cakes? Lol

    eBay ID-bruceshort978
    Successful BST:here and ATS, bumanchu, wdrob, hashtag, KeeNoooo, mikej61, Yonico, Meltdown, BAJJERFAN, Excaliber, lordmarcovan, cucamongacoin, robkool, bradyc, tonedcointrader, mumu, Windycity, astrotrain, tizofthe, overdate, rwyarmch, mkman123, Timbuk3,GBurger717, airplanenut, coinkid855 ,illini420, michaeldixon, Weiss, Morpheus, Deepcoin, Collectorcoins, AUandAG, D.Schwager, blu62vette, morgan13, torinoCobra71, JWP, promethius88,
  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,814 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Got mine on Oct. 11, 2016, which is probably the earliest anyone got theirs, as there was a Great Platform Switcheroo around that time and all my birthday cakes have that date stamp on them.

    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • Capgun
    Capgun Posts: 981 ✭✭✭
    edited August 4, 2026 10:33PM
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    @messydesk said:
    Got mine on Oct. 11, 2016, which is probably the earliest anyone got theirs, as there was a Great Platform Switcheroo around that time and all my birthday cakes have that date stamp on them.

    Surely didn't realize you are my elder. Got mine March of '18. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge and always being considerate while doing so. You are appreciated! Many thanks also to those who remain professional here!

  • calgolddiver
    calgolddiver Posts: 1,804 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Oct 27 2016 ... many great members are no longer with us ...

    Top 15 Type Set 1792 to present

    Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set

    successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), DesertMoon, Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Proofcollection, Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)

  • oih82w8
    oih82w8 Posts: 13,209 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Ancient Membership
    Nobody remembers a time when this person wasn’t a member here.

    oih82w8 You earned this badge November 28, 2023 12:50PM
    2958 people have earned this badge.

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • TurtleCat
    TurtleCat Posts: 4,692 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I would have if I had resumed my old nwcs handle when I rejoined some years ago. I think that was from 2001 or so. But I have seen a lot of changes here from homerunhall and gmargulies to the acg lawsuits and such. Some better, some worse. But it's still overall the better coin forum out there and I appreciate the job the moderators do to keep things in check.

  • WinLoseWin
    WinLoseWin Posts: 1,912 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @oih82w8 said:
    ...

    Ancient Membership
    Nobody remembers a time when this person wasn’t a member here.

    oih82w8 You earned this badge November 28, 2023 12:50PM
    2958 people have earned this badge.

    So it is saying we all have bad a memory. ;)

    "To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

  • GaCoinGuy
    GaCoinGuy Posts: 2,867 ✭✭✭✭
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    Joined November of 2001. Been lots of changes since then.

    imageimage

  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,167 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Had to go look. Said I became an Ancient One in November of 2016.
    When I hit 20 years, do I get a "Ye Olde Fart" badge?

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • oih82w8
    oih82w8 Posts: 13,209 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @CaptHenway said:
    Had to go look. Said I became an Ancient One in November of 2016.
    When I hit 20 years, do I get a "Ye Olde Fart" badge?

    Don't give the moderators any ideas!

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • Agflyer
    Agflyer Posts: 951 ✭✭✭
    Options

    Hmm, I guess I've got one. Woo hoo!

    I've had great transactions with people like: drwstr123, CCC2010, AlanLastufka, Type2, Justlooking, zas107, StrikeOutXXX, 10point, 66Tbird, and many more!
  • lkenefic
    lkenefic Posts: 9,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I guess I know now what I was doing on May 13, 2017 11:25AM... earning the Ancient Badge! lol!!

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have one. I have never thought about it.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • FlyingAl
    FlyingAl Posts: 4,470 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @pursuitofliberty said:
    Huh? Damnitman, now I'm ancient?!!

    And by the looks of it, I've been there a while (May 22, 2020). :o

    When I first got here in 2004, it was the Wild West. The Open Forum was still in full swing and the banter was fast and furious. But it was fun, and informative too.

    For me the best balance for banter and knowledge/overall comradery was probably between about 2006/7 and 2012/3 ... although I was on hiatus for a few years thereafter that point and before I got the "ancient" badge.

    Like @Catbert , these days I think sometimes this place devolves a bit. I would say it reaches for the lowest common denominator, and becomes a bit of a cesspool of arguments, trolling and negative comments. I try to ignore it, but since the overall pace of new and informative/interesting threads and posts has slowed over the years, it can be harder not to see the s***.

    My 2c ...

    Most informative threads get wiped off the front page within a day. The bad threads stay for weeks.

    I agree, the forums are much less fun than they used to be. The connections made have been worth it though!

    Coin Photography

  • SDSportsFan
    SDSportsFan Posts: 5,232 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @messydesk said:
    Got mine on Oct. 11, 2016, which is probably the earliest anyone got theirs, as there was a Great Platform Switcheroo around that time and all my birthday cakes have that date stamp on them.

    You have me beat by two days.

    SDSportsFan You earned this badge October 13, 2016 3:51PM

    Steve

  • HATTRICK
    HATTRICK Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 5, 2026 12:17PM
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    I got mine 2 years ago but I feel ancient also.
    In the words of the great Ozzy “ I’ve done my share of bad things and I’ve done your share too” 😈

    I have learned much from the forum and also enjoy the entertainment.

    " If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. " The 1st Law of Opposition from The Firesign Theater
  • coinkat
    coinkat Posts: 24,542 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I am guilty of having a so-called ancient badge. The forum remains a work in progress. The collecting community is better off with it than without it. And I’ll take a moment to thank our host for sponsoring and maintaining this platform.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • JBN
    JBN Posts: 2,007 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks for the info. Me being ancient is a MO - so no surprise.
    Several posts from above are true. [Great education source, thank you to PCGS]
    Miss the big ones like Ricko and Bear.
    One of the big positives over the years is the quality of coin photos posted, both from a human ability perspective as well as digital advances.

  • relicsncoins
    relicsncoins Posts: 8,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Just passed my 20 year anniversary on July 18th.

    Need a Barber Half with ANACS photo certificate. If you have one for sale please PM me. Current Ebay auctions
  • mattniss
    mattniss Posts: 863 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Part of the club of almost 3,000 forumites. Looks like you can still earn it to this day, someone earned it yesterday apparently.

  • Sapyx
    Sapyx Posts: 2,616 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have to say, I am shocked. The Ancient Ones have been summoned, and there's only been one mention of the Open Forum so far. B)

    I seem to have joined the forum sometime around 2006, and I well recall those early days. I normally just hung around "my people" in the little Darksider village, only occasionally venturing down the road to the US forum, and rarely heading off into the big city of the Open Forum.

    I didn't post much then, and still don't, really.

    In terms of the OP's question of the evolution of the forum, well it has evolved, and more than just "over half the forum membership disappeared when the Open Forum closed". But a lot of that evolution has had to do with changes in numismatics itself. For example, interest in errors/varieties was around back then but nowhere near the "craze" levels it's at these days.

    What has increased, sadly, is the amount of misinformation and disinformation about coins that the forum has to try to counter. This again is due to things happening outside of the forum, notably the rise of social media echo chambers like Facebook and YouTube where people can go and be told their carpark finds are super-rare errors and no-one will contradict them. This in turn has seen the rise in... let's call them "angrily misinformed newbies", people coming onto the forum to show off their carpark finds and getting angry when their bubble is burst and they're told their coins are trash, not treasure.

    Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.
    Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"

    Apparently I have been awarded the DPOTD twice. B)
  • crazyhounddog
    crazyhounddog Posts: 14,250 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I’ve been here for 18 years now and all I can say is this is without question the best coin forum on the planet. I love the PCGS family and I’m proud to be part of this forum. I have made some very close friends here and I have some great memories we have made together.
    I hope to be here another 18 years.

    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • Coinlearner
    Coinlearner Posts: 2,599 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Did not even notice it. (You earned this badge April 6, 2018 2:41AM),... Miss many of the forum members no longer with us. It has pretty much kept with/to it's purpose .

  • mach19
    mach19 Posts: 5,053 ✭✭✭✭
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    I'm ancient.... not sure about a badge !

    TIN SOLDIERS & NIXON COMING image
  • Manorcourtman
    Manorcourtman Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @messydesk said:
    Got mine on Oct. 11, 2016, which is probably the earliest anyone got theirs, as there was a Great Platform Switcheroo around that time and all my birthday cakes have that date stamp on them.

    You got me by 5 days!
    Ancient Membership
    Nobody remembers a time when this person wasn’t a member here.

    ManorcourtmanYou earned this badge October 16, 2016 11:34PM
    2958 people have earned this badge.

  • pcgsregistrycollector
    pcgsregistrycollector Posts: 2,325 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wow! Some of you guys joined before I was born. Hard to believe that this forum has been around for so long. Only been here for 1.5 years, but I've been loving it.

    Proud follower of Christ! I love the USA! Land of the Bright and Beautiful! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • cameonut2011
    cameonut2011 Posts: 10,877 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I never realized I had one until now.

  • Goldbully
    Goldbully Posts: 18,557 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I just discovered I too have an ancient membership badge. Thank you to the Academy for this honor. 😉

    Now, who has a Combo Breaker Badge out there???

    Highly coveted I hear!! 😂

    Earned badges for 5 different things in one day (now you can say it was 6!).
    GoldbullyYou earned this badge October 11, 2016 7:48PM

    2817 people have earned this badge.

  • yosclimber
    yosclimber Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 6, 2026 2:22PM
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    How about your rarest badges?
    Mine are:
    153 - 5 Answers
    172 - 1,000 Agrees
    248 - 2,500 Likes

    But of course, we know @Ricko was the forum king.
    His rarest badges:
    5 - 100 Answers
    6 - 10,000 Agrees
    7 - 10,000 LOLs
    38 - 10,000 Likes
    https://forums.collectors.com/profile/Ricko

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 6, 2026 3:00PM
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    @yosclimber said:
    How about your rarest badges?
    Mine are:
    153 - 5 Answers
    172 - 1,000 Agrees
    248 - 2,500 Likes

    But of course, we know @Ricko was the forum king.
    His rarest badges:
    5 - 100 Answers
    6 - 10,000 Agrees
    7 - 10,000 LOLs
    38 - 10,000 Likes
    https://forums.collectors.com/profile/Ricko

    If they should have hall of fame, ricko should be the first one in, jmo

  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,167 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Remind me what the cheezbooga cheezbooga cheezbooga one is for?

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • yosclimber
    yosclimber Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @CaptHenway said:
    Remind me what the cheezbooga cheezbooga cheezbooga one is for?

    The "Combo Breaker" badge is when you get 5 different badges on the same day.
    Usually it happens when forum software is updated to add new badges, so it's kinda trivial.

  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,167 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @yosclimber said:

    @CaptHenway said:
    Remind me what the cheezbooga cheezbooga cheezbooga one is for?

    The "Combo Breaker" badge is when you get 5 different badges on the same day.
    Usually it happens when forum software is updated to add new badges, so it's kinda trivial.

    Thanks

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.

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