| Author |
 Replies: 20 / Views: 4,179 |
|
Valued Member
United States
94 Posts |
I have been looking at a lot of 1916 D Mercury dimes on ebay, It seems that they are split roughly 50-50 between raw and certified. I know that the 16-D is one of the most counterfeited coins out there, and that a lot of them show up on ebay. I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what percentage of them listed on ebay are fake. I am curious also as to how many would take a chance on a raw dime if the price was right. |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2077 Posts |
I'm not a big fan of certified coins, but in the case of a modern (not early) key date I believe it's the best way to go. There are deceptive sellers out there and some honest ones that don't realize they have a fake. Safest for this is to buy certified.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1659 Posts |
Since I don't know what to look for in order to authenticate them, I would not take a chance on a raw one. In my opinion, I'd rather spend the extra money and get a certified one.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
My grandad had 4 in his collection when he passed away. All were fake. My local coin shop won't make an offer on one until they have it certified. They are comfortable judging S-VDBs, 32-S and -Ds, but not 16-Ds.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Quote:...I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what percentage of them listed on ebay are fake... 100%.  Just kidding of course but that's the way you should approach them. The 1916-D Mercury dime is probably the most faked coin in the world and some of the fakes are very good. PCGS has stated they see added "D" 1916 dimes in their grading room every week. Buying a raw 1916-D Merc on ebay is something to be handled carefully. I would do it if the price was right and then Next Day it to PCGS or NGC for Express Service. That way it could be returned/refunded quickly if proven counterfeit. Price I'd pay for a raw one? Way under current wholesale, probably half but no more than 2/3 of wholesale. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1812 Posts |
 to our little family. When I was in the business of buying & selling coins way back when, one of the items I purchased was a pocket sized reference book titled "Bill Fivaz"s Counterfeit Detection Guide" (printed in 2001) that shows photos and genuine characteristics of key date coins that are most counterfeited. Bill Fivaz is also co-author of The Cherry Pickers Guide to rare die varieties that had started me on checking for said varieties. The 1916-D Merc. Dime has a listing of what diagnostics to look for and strongly recommends that it be certified by one of the major grading services. I don't remember what the price was for the pocket guide at the time of purchase, but do know it could be worth it's weight in gold if you purchase a well made counterfeit believing it to be genuine. |
|
Valued Member
United States
180 Posts |
How are they faked? I have dealt with baseball cards for years and know they can be faked by printing. I would assume they are not printing new dimes. I know I am a noob with a noob question |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2077 Posts |
The two predominant methods are to alter an existing coin or mint one from counterfeit die.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
180 Posts |
I had no idea that they could actually make a new coin using a counterfeit die
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
|
|
Valued Member
United States
293 Posts |
Remember that even IF you can tell a genuine 16-D from a fake one that the guy you want to sell one to may not. So this is a coin where no matter how good a numismatist you may be this is one that should be slabbed. The TPG should be either PCGS, NGC or ANACS. |
|
Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
If your going to buy a 16-D on ebay, I cannot emphasize this enough. ONLY purchase a PCGS,NGC, or ANACS certified coin. swcoin.ecrater.com
|
|
Valued Member
United States
256 Posts |
I recently picked up an Anacs g4 for $695 off ebay which I thought was ok. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:
I am curious also as to how many would take a chance on a raw dime if the price was right. Possibly if you dont mind the hassel of having to use buyer protection. The good thing with ebay is if its fake youll get your money back, the bad part though is youd have to spend a good amount for a quick turnaround from a TPG if that was your plan for authenticating it. Personally I would just stick with the PCGS/NGC/ANACS ones and save the hassel. If there was one from a reputable seller I've dealt with in the past I might consider a raw one, but know that youd potentially be in for a hassle if you do. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2077 Posts |
Here's my logic on buying any "might or might not be" rare and valuable coin on ebay. Say one in ten available were real. Untrue, but let's go with it for now. If you bought ten coins at one tenth the standard price, you'd spend the same amount and get the same thing plus 9 junk coins. However, from what I've seen, these coins usually go for about half of their value. On top of that, the one in ten figure is probably closer to one in fifty. It's never worth the risk. The only time I participate in those types of auctions is if I'm completely certain and I've communicated with the seller and they agree to extend the return period for as long as it takes to get the coin certified. Most sellers refuse, but some do agree. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Quote:If your going to buy a 16-D on ebay, I cannot emphasize this enough. ONLY purchase a PCGS,NGC, or ANACS certified coin. Completely agree! Q. David Bowers told me once back in the mid 1980's that at any major coin show about half the 1916-D dimes could be proven to be fakes on the bourse floor. Doubt that has changed much in the raw coins today. Not a chance I want ot take with my hard earned money. Very good advice vermontensium! "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
| |
Replies: 20 / Views: 4,179 |
Posted 06/11/2013 11:52 pm
