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 Replies: 31 / Views: 3,690 |
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Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
The coin looks fine to me, but I would be a little leery about buying an un certified coin like this on ebay. |
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Valued Member
 Canada
242 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
I can see why you are tempted. I can't tell from the slab who has certified it. I don't know the seller. There are lots of promises of a refund. If you want to take the chance and have it authenticated, it is up to you.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
The slab is not by service that I know of. The Constantius I IMO is a bronze coin that has been gold plated.
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Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
The Constantius coin weighs 5.446 grams, and is 1.73 cm in diameter. The seller states that it is 24k gold - is it possible to know if the weight shown is appropriate for a 1.73 cm coin? I could figure it out if I knew the width of the coin of course...but that's not provided.
I am very tempted...but I also know that I quite amateur as this!
I'll try asking the seller if he can provide a thickness maybe...
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Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
hmmm...this is tough...he has a number of beautiful coins on his site. I asked about a registered US business address; however, I didn't realize that was against ebay's policy. I also asked about certification, etc, and the response was straightforward: "My dearest friend Mark. the coin comes with a certificate of authenticity from 2 very notorious European numismatics. However, if you are the winner, there is an extra service we offer for our clients. We can send the coin, for grading and encapsulation in NGC ( numismatic guaranty corporation.) It will cost you only their grading costs and shipping back and forth. Coin is absolutely genuine, and pure gold. We would never risk our reputation for some quick dirty money. Also, it is a felony in USA if you sell counterfeit. There is a third reason. ( Probably you know this expert's trick ) NO MATTER HOW SMART A FAKER CAN BE , HE CAN'T FOOL THE GRAVITY TEST. I run the test myself and the coin is pure gold. IF you are winner, you are covered for 60 days to check the coin. I hope you are a winner. Be aware that most bidders will bid the last second of the auction. Best regards |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
579 Posts |
I wouldn't buy the gold coin based on the listing. Item location: Authentic Coin, United States? No, thanks. But that is purely on how the buyer presents himself The coin looks good though: http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2026412 It sold June 15 for ~1200 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
" certificate of authenticity from 2 very notorious European numismatics"
Notorious?
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Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
haha I thought the same thing ('notorious')! It does instil negative connotations...!
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Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
Just received his reply back about the expert numismatics and location (New York):
"Dear Mark. We are located in NY , USA.
You will see the 2 numismatic in the Certificate of authenticity. They are very respectful in numismatic circles in Europe. Besaid that, I already offered you the grading and encapsulation of the coin from another third party . It is a international corporation, the most respectful in numismatic circles. NGC . One of my coins, Augustus silver denarius, is graded from them.
As you see there is nothing to be afraid. Your concern now must be the Win. Most of high end collectors,will put their maximum bids in the last seconds of the auction. We advise you to put your maximum prior of that. There is good chance that this coin will sell between $ 3.000-4.000.
Also you might consider the "Melissa of Phocae" Nymph as Goddess of Beauty .We will accept $ 2.400 from you and it will come with free grading and encapsulation from NGC.
It is not encapsulated yet. if you buy it, We will send it for encapsulation and grading. Think about it , it is a great opportunity."
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3445 Posts |
What bothers me is the sellers insistence that the coin is "pure" gold ! As the listing states it is supposed to be made of 'Electrum' which is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver. Generally 45-55% gold content and based on the color of this one that seems to be the correct range.
It is a bit like those TV sellers offering mass manufactured jewellery plated in "pure 14k gold".
There ain't no such thing !
Something smells funny
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Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
I'm wondering a bit too... Check out this coin: http://www.ebay.com/itm/30123794955...refresh=trueThe first and the third pictures are different I think. I wonder if the first is included simply to show detail of what the original coin would have looked like? The 4th and 5th pictures are also different, but they're there clearly just to show a background price of a similar but higher quality coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Outwardly the coin(s) look genuine. I am just a little leary of the circumstances they are being sold. The price for the Electrum coin is almost worth the gamble. The coin would be worth close to $2K if legit. I worry that the person might have a high quality fake mixed in with mid ranged NGC slabbed coins to throw off the skeptic. I would think that if this person wanted to get maximum value for the coin they would have had it NGC slabbed already, but they left it in some unknown 3rd party case. I would tempted to big but I have to follow the rule....when there is doubt there is no doubt. I would pass or grab up the NGC Augustus coin, just make sure you check the serial number with the NGC website to verify its not a fake Chinatown slab. Goodluck my friend.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
 Spotted the gold coin on ebay a few days ago and didn't have time to investigate it myself. I had similar thoughts about it as those above, it may well be fine and authentic but the write-up from the seller actually put me off rather than drew me in to bid. |
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Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
hmmm...Is it possible to fake an NGC slab/serial number? They have offered to send it to NGC, have it slabbed and authenticated, and then send it on to me... Is there any opportunity to fake this process (e.g. switch the coins)?
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Replies: 31 / Views: 3,690 |
Posted 07/13/2014 4:54 pm
