Fake Slab Listing From Hong Kong

Indeed - this is why NGC now scans the coin image to enable comparison.

I have been hit on this forum before when I said "lookout for China", but I will say it again, lookout. Buy from known sources, even if certified.

Certainly an interesting post. I am not 100% convinced that it is fake. The image is too small for a real analysis of distinguishing marks, but it sure looks nice. The color would indicate a scan vs photo and the positioning would indicate rotate due to poor slabbing. Even the slight fold in the label to the right of the grade is consistent. Tough call on that one but I would lean towards legitimate. If fake, the repetition of the markings is uncanny.

If it is fake, they did a fantastic job on the coin and slab. If I saw this coming from any place other than China or Hong Kong I'd say it was the real thing.

I have seen at least 4 AU pieces of the same date/type in NGC holders in the past 18 months, and I feel like I have seen that exact same piece on ebay. I seem to recall liking the darker slightly uneven toning on it. Zohar does this register any memories from last year? We are unable to do searches that far into the past, but it would be interesting to see if the current seller was the buyer when it sold last time.

If it is fake, the toning sets a dangerous precedent. That piece exhibits some very unique markings that would be quite difficult to replicate.

The bottom line is that I agree with you - I would find it hard to find any reason to buy a coin from China regardless of the dealer or reputation.

I will never buy a coin from china but the problem is people from all over the world are buying these coins and they are all over the place I am scared to death to buy any high dollar key date coins because you just don't know. heck I am scared to buy lower value coins because I think I might be buying fakes I have a good idea of what I am doing but they are becoming so good at this it is scary.

by the way don't you have to have to sign up to the ngc site to see these photos of the coin to copy the slab

They copy what they see. They always buy an original first. So you get a new "coin" with as much detail as the one they copied. We have recently seen many copies of Norwegian coins, 2 kroner, 1 krone and 50 øre Oscar II (1874-1904). In all cases the original was a coin in grade Fine. So the copies are all in grade F, too. They are too sharp in the edges for F, but that can be sandpapered off.

well we all knew NGC and ANACS slabs were copied way before they started copying PCGS slabs because of the cost of the PCGS slabs. The small holder ANACS was widely copied as was this type of NGC labels and slabs. When they perfect the PCGS slabs (they are close now to the unknowing buyer) they will really flood the market with them