Fun Thread - Worst Coins On Ebay, Etsy, Craigslist, And Other Buying Sites!

Dearborn, it can go both ways. As of now, nothing. No response.

ebay item number:227214362636

Here's a fake, intentional (IMHO) counterfeit reproduction of a Spanish cob. The maker used silver & copper in the correct mix, (close enough) to match the Royal specification (.931) of the era. The weight is fairly close (underweight), but it's not unusual to find underweight (genuine) Spanish cobs.

At a cursory glance, this fake could fool many, including coin dealers.

Knowledgeable collectors / dealers will spot numerous problems

I contacted the seller early on. After listing & diagramming 7 problems (there are more...), I suggested he contact a well-known, experienced dealer (Dan Sedwick, Winter Park Florida).

I also contacted Dan, as I have contributed to his catalog of fake cobs. Dan already had this fake in his extensive file on this subject.
The seller let the auction continue to it's $380 conclusion.

As a side note: a genuine Spanish colonial cob from the Potosi mint, of this era (Chas III), showing this much surface detail, would retail in the $1400, or (much) more range.

Rather than listing all of the red flag mistakes on this fake, I'll ask if any of you guys can spot the problems...



..........................................DAN SEDWICK'S EXAMPLE OF THIS FAKE.......................................

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145480155978

1946-2019 Jefferson nickel BU (Random Date)
Buy with confidence & Free Shipping from APMEX on ebay!
US $27.80

Honestly, that's just offensive from a big professional dealer. $27.80 for a single BU nickel, from a random year from 1946 to 2019? 2019! Appalling. I hope no poor suckers fall for that pitch.

Yeah, Errers, in my early years collecting these, I bought some (non-returnable) fakes on ebay, learning the "hard way". I feel for the buyer ...

...I don't expect someone who doesn't know me to take my advise or opinion. When contacting sellers, I always encourage them to contact known experts in this field., who are more than happy to get these fakes off of a site.

Talking about "Cobs" - good thing you're getting implants

You'll be back after that corn in no time, Dearborn!

...Don't blame ya, Dearborn ... cobs (Spanish, that is...) are an acquired taste, especially to those used to fully-struck coins.
...Less than 1% of dealers / collectors know much about them. After 30 years (off-n-on) collecting, I still seek advice, & consider myself far from an expert ...
...However, learning to spot fakes isn't as difficult as it may seem, once you familiarize yourself with the "basics" ...