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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,847 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
627 Posts |
I'm sure this isn't a novel concept, but it seems that "so-so" pictures on ebay can often equate with really good deals if you can "read between the lines". I have been looking for an example of a "To Hanover" token for about 3 months. You can read about this particular token here ( http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/...IC_ID=3503). I finally found one on ebay that I thought had potential. Now, don't get me wrong, the seller's photographs were not horrible. I have seen MUCH worse, but they were less than what I would consider optimal. Here is the seller's photo:  I received the token in the mail today, and I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the strike and the beautiful color/luster. Below are the photos I took this evening. I was the only person to bid on the item, and I paid $4.99.  ---------------------------------- Example 2:Now, here is a more extreme example that was another purchase in the past month. This one was listed as "Neat Jetton from Germany?; pict of horse running right; pic of Nicolaus Kais.? (French?); see picts for details" The picture listed on ebay was this one (this is the full size shown also!):  When I received the token in hand, the first thing I noticed was that it had some silvering still present. It was not uncommon for these early Jetons to be silvered brass. Well, I took some photos, and I consulted with a jeton dealer online that I trust. He reaffirmed what I thought, that it was likely a Nuremberg Jeton, in silvered brass, and he said that it was in "superb condition for the issue". I have to agree, and I absolutely love the token. Below is my composite photo of the token. I was the only person to bid on the item and I paid $9.99. ----------------------------------- IN SUMMARY, I have to say that if one can "read between the lines" for some of the photos (or scans) posted on ebay, some real bargains can be had!
Happy hunting! |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Now you know how I've been working on ebay for years.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
Yeah, the quality of the picture almost always equates to the final bid. It's not just coins, either. You need to know what you're bidding for, and then read between the lines. I'm amazed at some of the final bids I get some items for. I usually search out the "deals" based on what I know about the item, how bad the description is, and if the buyer has a return policy to cover me in case the item really is as bad as the picture...Ray
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
you all have truley touched on the most important thing, knowing what your bidding on, and the quality of the detail of the coin, despite a poor photo....Many a listing is just from average people without good cameras and the know how to make the most of there camera so they get few bids, and on the other side of the coin....there are those with thousands of sales who intentionally blur blind the coin with light to HIDE distracting marks effecting the grade and hinting that its a real high grade...the photo's you posted, DID have the "WINK" signs as I see them too between the lines, but it is from knowledge one can see them...and that's a composite of knowledge of photography, and time to know a coin and its wear patterns.....Well done and very nice photo's  and coins... |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
627 Posts |
Edited by brg5658
11/09/2011 12:58 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Nice!  I've had some nice finds too, where close scrutiny of the details turns up something really good. Sometimes, sellers will bury the secondary picture where few look, and fewer notice that key detail. I have found some good varieties in lots of US coins.  |
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Valued Member
Canada
185 Posts |
I think it really depends on a case-to-case basis. I just bought a 1934 Canadian mint penny recently based on one very small, dark and unsharp picture and the fact that it was certified MS62RB. Paid about 1/3 of CV and the coin ended up beautifully toned with outstanding eye appeal. There was no way to tell that by the picture.
On the other hand I also bought what I thought were nice looking coins based on the bad pictures and they were either cleaned, dipped or had other issues the seller was trying to hide with bad pictures. It really is a bit of a gamble.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1590 Posts |
I agree with all the above. I have sold on ebay and find that a nice large and clear photo sells the best. It also btw protects you from a buyer with remorse that claims he got the wrong coin. You can simply point to a couple of pups and compare the pic and the coin. Which is silly when you offer a return policy. But some people like to complain and/or have a reason for anything. Back to the point, I also carefully look over the photos and note things not described in the ads....little things....like MINT MARKS. I once was the only bidder on an 1883 S high AU Morgan that was described as "Old 1883 Morgan silver dollar". 99 cents. Or the "Damaged Peace dollar- STILL HAS SCRAP VALUE"; which turned out to be an 1924 Broken Wing Peace dollar. A Very desirable VAM. You just never know. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Bad pix are either deliberate or accidental. You can usually tell by whether the seller has a bunch of other coins that "might" be worth big bucks "if".
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
Not to mention a "TELL TALE SIGN", when the rest of the sellers photo's are good, and the one your looking at is "not"
is a pretty good indication something is wrong, It only takes a few minutes to re-shoot before you post them online...
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
Quote:
Bad pix are either deliberate or accidental. You can usually tell by whether the seller has a bunch of other coins that "might" be worth big bucks "if". Agreed, and their general selling patterns, etc. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2150 Posts |
Yeah just grabbed this one not too long ago. Sellers pics...  In hand...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
The pic is very dark so what tipped you off for the gamble?
return policy? the photo is obvious to lack of fine detail..
nice gamble by the way...
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,847 |
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Posted 11/08/2011 11:45 pm
