Spotting Counterfeit/Fake Coins When Buying Online Or On Auction Sites

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,734
LukeDARLING Valued Member Australia 56 Posts	Posted 11/05/2011 7:39 pm I have bought a few coins online. I haven't spent too much on the coins that I have bought, because I am weary of scammers trying to palm off fakes. Do any of you seasoned coin collectors have any tips on how to avoid getting scammed when buying from the web? Is there anything you look for in photos/descriptions etc that would help me prevent getting ripped off? Luke Report this Post to the Staff

BH1964 Bedrock of the Community United States 10982 Posts	Posted 11/05/2011 8:00 pm I follow two rules: Rule #1: Don't buy raw key dates online. Rule #2: See Rule #1. Report this Post to the Staff
Tim Stroud Pillar of the Community United States 2661 Posts	Posted 11/05/2011 9:56 pm See above. Also if there is no pic, don't buy. Report this Post to the Staff
BuffalosRock Pillar of the Community United States 500 Posts	Posted 11/10/2011 8:23 pm My fear isn't so much fakes as improperly-cleaned/scrubbed/ruined coins. I think there are 100X more of those that sellers try to pass off as uncirculated than there are actually fake coins being sold - at least of those I am after which are typically 1900-1963 coins only. I'm sure some of those I have bought probably are cleaned/dipped, I just try to keep them to a minimum. That's why I don't buy many big $ coins that aren't PCGS or NGC slabbed. But I have taken a few "chances" and have had to return a few as a result. Report this Post to the Staff
SsuperDdave Moderator United States 23522 Posts	Posted 11/11/2011 1:35 pm There's no easy answer. You have to become an expert on the telltale signs of cleaning, on interpreting sometimes-iffy photographs, and the characteristics of the specific coin you're contemplating. This method of buying coins is not for the inexpert. I like to think I'm fairly good at it, and I got burned by my last purchase earlier this week. Best bet - stick to the coins with photos which are good enough to remove all doubt. Report this Post to the Staff
coinguybrian Rest in Peace United States 5375 Posts	Posted 11/11/2011 1:56 pm ^^ pretty much, even when you're pretty good at it you can get burned since photos can be very deceiving. You can just eliminate SOME, maybe most of the doubt. Edited by coinguybrian 11/11/2011 1:57 pm Report this Post to the Staff
BuffalosRock Pillar of the Community United States 500 Posts	Posted 11/11/2011 2:39 pm Quote: I like to think I'm fairly good at it, and I got burned by my last purchase earlier this week. I hope you mean "burned" as in having to go through the hassle of returning the coin for refund - and being out the shipping cost! I've had to do that for about 5% of my online purchases. I've kept a couple that I'm not sure of, but in those cases I made the conscious decision to not return them - so I really don't consider that a "burn". A real burn is getting ripped off and not being able to return the coin! So far, whether ebay or just online "coin shops" I've not had anyone refuse to refund ( a couple even paid the shipping back as well ). I just consider the cost and hassle as part of the deal when buying from pics. I will say that I've been pleasantly surprised with coins being better than I expected, or than they looked in their pics, more often than the opposite - and having to return them. I can say that has NEVER been true of blind dates or women's pics I've seen online, at least in my experiences. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,734

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Spotting Fake Coins When Buying Online Or On Auction Sites