A Reeded Edge 1803 Bust Dollar - Check It Out.

I enjoy watching people make fools of themselves when they buy a coin before learning about it. Hence, I don't want to delete the scams. Moreover, I am trying to build a black cabinet of good-quality fakes for educational purposes and don't want to miss the chance to acquire them. It is a sad commentary on our society, however, when people do have more money than brains. Whatever happened to basic education? I have supervised lawyers (7 years of college) who have no idea when the American Civil War was fought because they "didn't major in history." I guess that is why I see coins from the 19th century offered in the "colonial" section on ebay. But, what the heck! The news media prefers to cover the antics of Paris Hilton than the 3500+ young peopole who have died in Iraq. Lets get a college degree in anything these days --- basket weaving, tantric sex, etc. --- and if we do not know what we are doing with the money we have, who cares (so long as the gas tank is full).

What is the Scumbusters Link? I sent a sardonic message to the seller that his coin must be very very rare to have a reeded edge 25 years before the technology. He replied "BOY ARE YOU SMART." So, he knows the coin is fake and is foisting it as genuine. Is there reallly a link to get this kind of fraud removed? Can we contact the high bidder about the coin?

Thank you gentleman very much for talking amongst yourselves about my coin. Just so I know for future reference, what are your qualifications for being experts in coins? Also, how does one get a job commenting on other peoples coins with no intention of ever buying said coins. I looked up what some of you folks buy on ebay, and I see that at least one of you buy ceramic animals that you stick up your nose...not once...but you bought two of them. Why is it that the people that do most of the complaining don't do any of the buying? I'm looking forward to all of your responses...I'm sure it will give me hours of entertainment. I am not claiming that I am a coin expert, I am just trying to make a living. I would much rather comment on other peoples coins if one of you fine gentleman is willing to pay me. I work cheap :)

Mr Biokemist6,

What are your qualifications for calling me a fraudster? I offer 100% money guarantee on everything I sell. Do you offer a 100% guarantee or any guarantee on your comments? I put my money where my mouth is...whats backing up your mouth?

Thats the first reasonable comment I've heard on this forum. As of right now..I will extend my 100% money-back guarantee to 30 days. No Questions Asked...what more can I do to be fair to all buyers?

This is a copy of the e-mail I just sent the buyer of this coin. I hope this quiets down any doubts about my integrity.

dear buyer,

I have received some comments about this coin telling me that this coin is not real. My experience tells me that these busibodies don't know what they are talking about..but just to give you full disclosure, I am letting you know. I personally don't know if this coin is real or not. Therefore, am letting you know what I know. If you still want this coin, I am going to reduce the price to $50 postage included...if you no longer want this coin, I understand, let me know so I can take appropriate measures. Even if you do buy this coin for $50, I still will offer you a 100% money-back guarantee no questions asked for 30 days. I hope this sounds fair, as my reputation is worth more than one coin.

Thanks,
Mitch (zang9)

I am not a "busybody," zang9. I am a moderator at a relatively prominent online community dedicated to numismatics. Part of my mission here, my job, is to help protect the hobby we love from the inroads of fraudulent sellers, by educating the membership. I am failing to do my job if I do not tell you the truth, since you have been man enough to come here and listen to it.

You do not have to believe me or anyone else here. The information which proves your coin a counterfeit is freely available on the Internet. Go look for yourself, rather than calling us liars. I will be happy to provide you with links. You are playing with fire this time, man.

You've done right by the buyer, in my opinion, and as a result have left yourself the clear option of claiming good-will belief that the coin was genuine, since you reacted immediately to the allegations that your coin was not genuine.

Mitch, there is a large and entrenched body of fraudulent sellers in numimsmatics, especially on ebay. They operate with the tacit endorsement of ebay, which has been warned many, many times about the operations of these people, and has been provided with incontrovertible evidence to that effect, yet still does virtually nothing to prevent these sales. As a result, every single day people who have failed to properly educate themselves, or are just plain greedy, wanting something for nothing, lose money they shouldn't spend on coins they shouldn't buy. There are many like me in the hobby who are no longer passively watching as this happens.

You've been perceived as one of these fraudulent sellers by this auction. I don't care for your attitude towards me, but I think you've done the right thing with your auction and that's far more important than my personal popularity.

I will be locking this thread in order to avoid further dogpiling on the part of the membership. You are welcome here at Coin Community; I recommend that, even if you don't stay, you take a look around and note some of the information available here concerning alphabet slabbers and other numismatic ripoff artists. That will give you an idea of why our reaction was so dramatic.