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 Replies: 49 / Views: 4,563 |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
I'm very sorry, I too have doubts about authenticity. With the link that Pinenut posted, it looks like your mm is too low and too far to the left. $550 would be a great price if genuine, but there are more fakes than real examples of this popular key that are raw, some very convincing. You should only buy a coin like this certified by PCGS, NGC, or ANACS. I would show it to a reputable dealer to be sure one way or another(I really hope we are wrong).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6396 Posts |
I looked at a bunch of certified 1916-D Mercs on Heritage. In every case the mintmark was tucked in pretty tight in that triangular space between the thick branch and the bottom olive leaf. The mintmark on your coin does not have normal placement and so I would bet it is a fake. You should be protected by ebay's buyer protection policy. You should get a confirming opinion from a local dealer if possible and notify the seller you suspect the coin is a fake. If they do anything other than immediately offer a full refund you should then file a dispute with ebay. FYI, here is a VG-8 NGC-certified example that recently sold on Heritage for $1380 (including buyer's fee). You can easily see how the mintmark location differs from yours. IMO, it would be worth paying the difference between what your coin cost and this price to get a MUCH nicer example, guaranteed genuine and problem-free, with excellent eye appeal.   |
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Valued Member
 United States
70 Posts |
I have authenticity papers with it, it was a no brainier there was 28 bids on it. MY big concern now is the ole switch-a-rue.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
"Authenticity papers"? Authenticated by whom? Anyone can type up some official-looking certificate but it is almost always only worth the paper it is printed on.
Edited by biokemist6
05/11/2011 2:46 pm
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
AG3. At this level of preservation, I am concerned about an added D. The mintmark appears way too sharp and defined for a coin in AG3. Also, the position of the mintmark concerns me as well. I would not have bought this coin raw.
Let me guess, no return policy? If he has one, return this coin immediately. I was also going to say, what is an authenticity paper? From who? Take a picture of it for us.
swcoin.ecrater.com
Edited by vermontensium
05/11/2011 2:52 pm
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
A return policy is not really necessary, I don't think - this is a patently fake coin and was therefore sold illegally under ebay's counterfeit policy. All 4 potential mintmark locations are known and publicly available - this coin doesn't have one of them - so an immediate claim through Paypal and ebay should be initiated. This is the definition of "Significantly Not As Described," if the seller claimed it was real. I was unable to find any record of this auction in ebay's "Completed Listings" results, so I can't offer assistance regarding a possible bait-and-switch - I can't see what initial pictures were offered. "Authenticity papers" are irrelevant in numismatics, unless they're in the form of a sealed plastic slab with the identification of a major TPG on it. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
I agree that something looks off about the mintmark's position and degree of wear. While the authenticity papers have been dealt with, for future reference, the number of bids on a coin means nothing. You don't know who's bidding. There could be straw bids, and real bidders may have not done their research either as, unfortunately you have failed to do. I don't want to be harsh, but if I was in your shoes, I would take this as a learning lesson, get a refund and research the diagnostics of a real 1916d dime and for added insurance, purchase a slabbed coin.
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Exactly Super, the OP should contact ebay immediately and file a claim. I have no doubt he bought a bogus coin. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
PCGS, and there is a 7 day return policy. It come in a plastic holder from PCGS, with the G4 grading. It looked to be sealed, but really hard to tell.
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
It may be a fake slab if the coin you showed at the beginning is in a PCGS holder (is that what you are saying?) I feel bad for not mentioning anything about checking the authenticity earlier on. I don't know the markers for 1916-D dimes, but I do know that they're often faked as most people do...
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Quote:
"Authenticity papers"? Authenticated by whom? Anyone can type up some official-looking certificate but it is almost always only worth the paper it is printed on. Which do you think would be easier to fake, a COA, or a coin? Which do you think would get you hard time at a federal Graybar Hilton? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Post the pix of the PCGS holder. Holders can be faked, in fact, that's becoming more common.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
I'm a little confused here. The initial description appears to be that of a raw coin, and the pictures you posted appear to be of a raw coin, unless they've been altered. The coin pictured is definitely not of a coin in a PCGS slab with their clear plastic inserts. Was the picture taken before it was sent to PCGS? I'm lost..  Edited by johnny54321
05/11/2011 9:23 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
PCGS doesn't have "authenticity papers", they have coins slobbed in plastic.
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
I am with johnny here. The op's coin appears raw. What do you mean PCGS? Did you crack it out?
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Replies: 49 / Views: 4,563 |
First Page
Posted 05/11/2011 11:45 am
