| Author |
 Replies: 19 / Views: 3,255 |
|
Valued Member
United States
416 Posts |
Hi all, I am in the weird dilemma of: 1) don't want slabbed coins 2) really-really don't want counterfeits 3) despite careful comparison with PCGS pics and the like, am not confident I can truly detect a counterfeit coin from ebay pictures. Here's one example, among countless others - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-1793-...274356362293Constantly posting coins here for free expert advice seems like "pushing it"  What does the board think on this topic? Thank you! |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1494 Posts |
If you really, really don't want counterfeits (neither do I) and don't want slabbed coins, you can always buy the coin in a slab and then break it out. You may pay a little more, but you'll have more confidence that the coin is legitimate.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
34397 Posts |
Quote:
Constantly posting coins here for free expert advice seems like "pushing it" I think that you will find that we are a pretty tolerant group here. With that said, @owatchman's strategy is a good one (as long as you are careful not to purchase a counterfeit slab). Also, remember that you are buying the coin and not the slab. "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
|
|
Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Isn't there a website that lists fake coins? John1  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
Buy from a reputable dealer who guarantees his coins, and then post detailed pictures of the coin here. If the people here question it, do a return. You're all but guaranteed not to get a counterfeit.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I always like examining any coin in hand before making a decision to buy; always better than just comparing pictures on screen. Nevertheless one of my favorite tactics is to go to Google Images and search for similar coins for comparison. In addition with ancients, it is possible to not only compare similar coins, but also to get a reasonable idea of current market prices for similar coins all in one search. It is part of doing 'due diligence' before closely examining valuable coins in hand. With ebay, just make sure that the seller has an unquestioned return option. None of the coins in my collection are slabbed, and a few of them are valued in the $thousands, but vast majority of them would be valued at less than $25. Slabbing just doesn't fit the way I buy coins or display them. But that is just me. I agree that buying a slabbed coin then breaking it out after purchase can be a legitimate way to go. If you do this, you get to check the weight, and closely examine it in hand. Unfortunately, if you are unsatisfied with what is in the slab you may be stuck with it. That is one of the aspects of buying slabbed coins on ebay that can cause problems, and may deter some buyers - there is no way of proving to the seller that what you have received is a dud. You have just broken his slab. That is why it is best to buy from sellers who have an unquestioned reputation, but makes it harder for honest sellers who are just starting into the market. |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
5239 Posts |
@John1, I believe that there are a few websites listing fake coins but unfortunately the number grows daily so they can never be comprehensive.
I am inclined to agree that buying from a reputable dealer with a return policy is your best insurance. I would go so far as to say in all of commerce it is better to buy from someone reputable with a good return policy.
|
|
New Member
United States
48 Posts |
I'll chime in with support for buying from a dealer you know and trust, but if you're dead-set on buying from ebay, there's nothing wrong with cracking a coin out of a slab. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4469 Posts |
Set a risk tolerance level on buying raw coins on ebay. My level is $200 and any coin that I purchase over $200 on ebay is slabbed by NGC or PCGS. There are some very good old copper counterfeits. I have been buying some $2.50 and $5 Indian gold on ebay and there is not way I am buying raw gold coins as some of the counterfeits are simply too good to detect from some ebay photos. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
By from a dealer you trust. Don't buy on ebay unless you can tell the difference or its slabbed. |
|
Valued Member
 United States
416 Posts |
Thank you all for the replies. I often see folks post ebay links here for opinions, and everyone is so helpful, it just doesn't seem .. "sustainable". Buying from dealers and cracking out slabs sure would work, but of course is a lot more expensive. Here's a tool I haven't tried yet, but looks worth a shot - $5 for an opinion that is surely way better than mine! https://www.NGCcoin.com/expert-review-ebay/ |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I would never buy from someone on ebay. Just way to much of a chance of a fake. And also, a chance that a return doesn't work. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
Buying slabs is a little more expensive than buying raw authentic and accurately graded coins. It is a lot more expensive than buying raw coins of questionable authenticity and / or grade.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
The guy selling the coin in your original post is a member here. I see it went for almost 2 grand.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
153 Posts |
Anyone have any idea of what percent of high end coins on ebay are fakes? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1613 Posts |
ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon
Edited by Ballyhoo
05/13/2020 10:09 pm
|
| |
Replies: 19 / Views: 3,255 |
Posted 05/11/2020 05:24 am
