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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,320 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
The latest auction went live today: http://vauctions.com/Lots of good stuff, including a very nice selection of Sassanian AR's on page two of the Eastern Greek section. |
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Moderator
 United States
34419 Posts |
Yes agreed, although I guess I'm not too happy that they are selling a modern forgery (lot #184). Even though they are clear about what this piece is during this auction, the moment it sells to someone, there will be the opportunity to try to sell it as the real thing.  "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7066 Posts |
Quote:
I'm not too happy that they are selling a modern forgery (lot #184). Ouch, yes, I see that, Dave. And you're right about possible resale as genuine down the line. The description states, "fortunately not very deceptive" but, come on. We've seen lots of more blatant fakes purchased by unsuspecting folks on this board. |
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Moderator
United States
34419 Posts |
At the risk of being a bit of a rabble rouser, is it worth me sending them an email asking to pull it down? There are a few other things that I might bid on, but including counterfeit coins seems to degrade the entire auction a little.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
I think Frank Robinson does the same thing in his auctions...that is, sells modern forgeries/replicas alongside the real stuff. It's a nasty practice, for obvious reasons. Better these things get relegated to a black cabinet...
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
There are some very nice coins in this auction. there are several I am definitely interested in.
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Valued Member
Australia
205 Posts |
It is surely unethical to attempt to put a fake back into the market place.
This is much different from dealers buying modern fake dies and deceptive fakes for the purposes of studying them.
If it is being sold for its bullion value (gold), then convert it to bullion!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Quote:
...there are several I am definitely interested in. Me too, Andrew. Quote:
It is surely unethical to attempt to put a fake back into the market place. Agreed, Peter. It also bothers me that the forgeries are sold right smack in the middle of the legit coins of that region. That's a disturbing practice. It puzzles me that Frank does this too...he's a very reputable dealer. Here's the VAuctions coin-in-question, below, along with an example of a fake in the midst of the kosher coins in FSR's last auction.   |
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Valued Member
Australia
205 Posts |
Agree, Very strange and nothing really to gain from selling the Alexander III fake as a fake for a nominal sale amount. Why sell it at all? You don't need to go to a reputable auction site to buy a fake. Quite sickeningly, there are thousands sold on ebay each year. |
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Moderator
United States
34419 Posts |
email sent to vcoins: Quote:
I am writing with regard to lot #184 of the current Triskeles auction on vcoins. This specific lot is a modern forgery and while that fact might be obvious to the person who bids on this piece, I am concerned about the possibility of it being resold as genuine, especially considering that it appears to be made from good gold. Including a forgery in a vcoins auction gives provenance to a known fake and that is a bad news for all numismatists.
Please advise if you will be taking any steps to remedy this situation. I'll update this thread with the reply. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Moderator
United States
34419 Posts |
Here is an update to my prior post. I heard back from John and he has politely declined my suggestion to pull this lot from his auction. To follow up with him I responded thusly: Quote:
John, thank you for your quick response. I really appreciate you getting back to me.
I still don't agree with your decision to sell this forgery. In my experience, these pieces move too quickly from auctions with full disclosure (such as yours) to other on-line sales with deceptive descriptions that seek to legitimize the coin by referencing prior auctions as provenance. If you are unwilling to pull this lot, then please consider taking the simple step to deface it (e.g. by stamping "copy") prior to selling. As there is no numismatic value to this piece, this action shouldn't affect the eventual purchase price. Additionally, I have decided to not bid on any lots from this auction on principle. Short-sighted and petty of me perhaps, but it feels like the right thing to do. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Thanks for the update, Dave. I admire your principles.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,320 |
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Posted 06/09/2017 9:47 pm
