Buying Unseen And Online?

I've done it, BUT usually it's an inexpensive coin, I know the seller from previous transactions, excellent feedback for the seller, and I just want the coin so bad I'm willing to take a chance. Give us a little more information: cost range; coin has counterfeits possible; looking for a particular grade; reason for wanting the coin, etc. Like I've heard so many times, If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is a scam. Good Luck -- Terrell

I can't speak about ebay........never done it.

Products from the Mint, though, are "safe" from counterfeit possibilities of course. And if you receive something you're not happy with (a scratched coin for example) you can easily return it for another one.
You can only buy Ultra Modern materials from the Mint.......but "generally" it will all be of exceptional quality. (spots on new Lincolns, etc. can still be a problem, and things like that....but that's common to all of them !) Some people will keep on returning things, until they get the exact quality that they want too.
I have no problem purchasing directly from the Mint.
All "Classic" realm purchases, for me, come from Coin Shows, Coin Auctions, Estate Sales/Auctions that have coins, Newspaper, even flea markets........etc. etc......a whole myriad of "other places".
Is this as "convienient" as ebay and ordering from the comfort of your own home ?.....well, of course not, but you know, I kind of enjoy the "hunt" and going out and doing that stuff. And, of course, a good point that you brought up is......being able to buy a coin that you can "actually see" or "hold in your hand" FIRST, before you buy it.
So, although I think about it from time to time.....I have no real desire to participate in ebay at all.....no "online auctions" or purchases online of any kind for me thank you very much.

Rich,

You could post a link to the auction here and we could offer our opinions. I live on ebay and know all of the tricks and warning signs.

I've bought almost all my coins and supplies on ebay, the Internet, or over the phone. You need to stay with established sellers that have good feedback and will allow returns. I did have one bad experience on ebay a couple years back. In regard to the US Mint some of my recent proof sets haven't been great. Most notably spotted dollar proofs.

Hello,

biokemist6 - I'm talking about not being able to hold it. The link you sent was great the picture was huge and the seller had great feedback. I know nothing about older coins but I'd say that appears to be a safe auction.

Rich

I don't buy on the internet at all. Tried it once a long time ago and found for me, just not worth it. As you can see from answers already there are those that have good luck, great luck, bad luck, etc with ebay or any on line purchases of coins and without a decent photo of what your buying, even less of a chance of good luck. Note I keep saying luck. Any purchase of anything you buy via the internet is risky. And without gurantees of all sorts, luck really gets poor.
With loss in mail, paying for postage, handling, insurances and then finding something you don't want but received anyway, just not for me. If you do, good luck. Hopefully it all turns out well.
For me there is way to many places to buy anything so the internet, being to much a guess, is just not for me.
I really can't imagine myself buying anything from ebay.