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 Replies: 19 / Views: 2,671 |
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New Member
 United States
17 Posts |
I can't figure out how to quote a post yet, dangit. Not in the tutorial that I can see. silverwolf - The coins were NOT listed as replicas. They were listed at authentic, but I received replicas. Coinfrog - The seller publiished a stock photo, not of the actual items. helpmethanks - I should've taken a photo, but I was so mad I just mailed them right back for a refund. I understand we are in the modern coins section, so I don't want to go down a reichspfennig rabbit hole here, but here's the listing https://www.ebay.com/itm/323971262376My main concern is of being new to collecting in a place where there is more deception than I realized. |
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New Member
United States
17 Posts |
I forgot to mention that I am a proud bottom feeder. I don't have a lot of money but I love coins dearly. I love what many consider cull and junk, and I look for things on the cheap because they are still beautiful to me. But I don't want to pay for cheap garbage from China. So I'm in a bit of a bind - Going to my dealer I am often faced with bigger price tags than people unloading junk drawers on ebay. Also, I'm stuck at home recovering from surgery for a while, so I can't go to my local coin store and dig through the junk boxes anyway. The reputable online coin sellers I've seen so far have bigger price tags and not a lot of rejected coins. (very worn, bent, etc) |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3733 Posts |
o.k, so the next question would be, why do you think the aren't real, they are low value coins, being sold as lots, with stock photos,,
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New Member
United States
17 Posts |
Hi silverwolf
Even someone as Green as myself could s immediately that these weren't authentic. I regret not taking photos.
The three coins arrived loose on a plastic baggy. OK. But when I dumped them out, they were very obviously not zinc and not 80 years old. They were very shiny with a black patina that looked very fake. They felt and looked like carnival tokens, not old zinc. They looked brand new and felt like a cheap alloy, not 80 year old zinc
When I looked closer at this particular seller, it seems this is all they really sell : lots and lots and lots of "old" German coins with stock photos. So there's something I could do next time.
I'm not a suspicious person by nature, so this really threw me off.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
600 Posts |
In some ways, the cheap replica is actually the good kind of fake to receive since it is obvious and you can just return. I wouldn't get too discouraged. Certainly, the higher the value/rarity of the coin, the more the counterfeiters are willing to invest in getting it just right. If you are buying inexpensive coins and there is a return policy, just make sure you have some books/references to double check how the coins look. Of course, when I say inexpensive coins, I mean low value/rarity coins and not a $400 coin you found for $40. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are some amazing fakes that are posted here periodically.
People here have been very nice about commenting on coins as genuine or fake when folks post pictures. You can always do that if you aren't comfortable. I personally have never bought a coin based on a stock photo because I'm picky about eye appeal even on those cheap coins.
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Moderator
 United States
34419 Posts |
Quote:
I can't figure out how to quote a post yet I can't fix your recent purchase, but I can help with this. Copy and paste the text into the reply box, then press the switch to full reply button. Highlight that text and then press the little button on the format line that looks like a sheet of paper with a red arrow. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Valued Member
404 Posts |
Just as a further note, that is a lot to pay for the zinc 3rd Reich coinage. Even the bronze and brass stuff can be had at that unit price - I have a pair of better grade Reichspfennigs up on my ebay for around $4 each ATM. As a rule, unless completely UNC, or a key date / mint combination, the Zinc stuff should not exceed $1-2 a piece. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
Looking at that seller's listings, the coins don't necessarily look fake, but many look harshly cleaned, including those in the listing you purchased from.
In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8938 Posts |
going through his listings he seems to have dozens of listings for fakes. If he's not willing to remove them himself then they should be done for him.
Edit: Anything that is not strictly bullion or a flag or US is fake. There may be a few that aren't but I'd still run
Edited by GrapeCollects
10/16/2020 03:21 am
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New Member
United States
17 Posts |
Quote:
the coins don't necessarily look fake, but many look harshly cleaned That's interesting. But again, the coins I received looked nothing like the stock photography. They were very shiny with a very dark patina and no evidence of wear. I am kicking myself for not taking a photo. How would I know if I have a fake US quarter or other modern coin? Does that happen often? |
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New Member
United States
17 Posts |
Quote:
he seems to have dozens of listings for fakes Thank you! The 100% positive reviews plus the coin business name convinced me it was OK. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Actually, the collection, close inspection and the accumulation of knowledge regarding fake and counterfeit coins, complete with with a good reference library on them including the methods of manufacture, is the
best way of identifying them for what they are, and to protect yourself from being scammed.
Most professional coin dealers maintain a 'black' collection for this reason, to protect both themselves and their customers.
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New Member
United States
17 Posts |
I have to say, I am overwhelmed with how helpful, kind and knowledgeable everyone is here. I'm astounded by how quickly people respond to my questions. This is an amazing forum. I'm so glad I found this place and wish I'd found it sooner.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5673 Posts |
When buying on ebay, I would definitely avoid buying from anyone using stock photos. He clearly had this in his description: "The coins you see pictured may not be the ones you receive but they will be in the same condition." It's surprising how he has overwhelmingly positive feedback. Maybe you just got unlucky, or perhaps people just don't know what they're buying. |
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Moderator
United States
188770 Posts |
Quote:
I'm so glad I found this place and wish I'd found it sooner.  |
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Posted 10/15/2020 8:07 pm
