Won Ebay Netherlands 2 1/2 Guldens, But They Are Fake. Keep For $15 Each?

This will be the first bad review I have given in 16 years on ebay, and also his first to receive.

Ha.

1) not much money involved
2) I would not mind starting a counterfeit collection (at the right price)
3) I must have pulled the wings off of flies when I was little, because the fact he is so angry makes me laugh
4) I will contest this (to ebay or paypal, which do you think?), but now I will wait a few days to let him think he is clear (since he was not nice)

I once bought, believe it or not, ten Chinese knock-off fishing lures (spinners) that were advertised as a well known product. They even came complete with fake packaging with a legit looking logo.

I emailed the seller and told him I wouldn't be participating in a crime by returning and mailing known counterfeit material through the mail and that I also expected a refund. I kept the fakes, which I've never used, and got my refund.

I would never pay return shipping on a counterfeit item. Not only that, but these guys get this stuff back and then sell it to someone else? Not on my watch. These guys all know they're selling fake goods so I don't feel the least bit bad about not returning the items AND getting a refund.

One very quick glance on the photos already tell me these are fake. Real ones have (even when very worn) much more detail. These look like Chinese fakes like you find them on (Not Allowed). Only there they are sold for 2 dollar apiece (including shipping...) Even 5 dollars is too much to pay for these, so ask for a full refund.

I did the ebay complaint route, (you file a complaint, wait 4 days for a seller response, then ask ebay to step in). No response from seller, I asked ebay to step in, about 4 min. later they decided in my favor.

I do have to send them back, ebay is paying for the shipping.

Yes, ebay linked to a shipping label that has his address and a tracking number, just drop in the mail

You may not believe this but these may be good contemporary circulating counterfeits of the period and not modern forgeries or modern Chinese fakes as most people may wish to call these pieces. Modern Chinese fakes IMO will probably not have this cryptic up and down edge type anti-counterfeiting edge. A normal 2 1/2 Guilden KM#82 (Netherlands) in VF is $100 so $200 if regal. The regal weight = 25.0 grams but normally this may be in brass so its weight may be in & around 20-22 grams. I normally do not buy post-1800 CCC's unless of a rare metal like gold and platinum.
Many sellers sell CCC's under the terms Faux for French items and Falso or Falsa for Spanish-American CCC's. These appear to be rare as I have not seen many 2 1/2 Guildens on the CCC market. Report the weight, sell them as non-regal and describe the edge. BTW the edge reads for regals: GOD*ZY*MET*ONS*. If it does not then this is even more evidence its a CCC and not a modern forgery. IMO. But too late you are returning them ...

John Lorenzo
Numismatist
United States