A seller with 94.1% feedback, based in Russia, selling three coins in a lot, each coin supposedly rare and should fetch hundreds on its own...
And people are bidding on them!
Everything about these coins screams fake, I don't understand how someone could fall for this? Even the seller's feedback reports of fake coins. When will people learn?
Here's the link, if anyone else would like to shake their head with me.
Men resemble their times more than they do their fathers.
There's near perfect fakes of 1934 wreath crowns and gothic crowns out there which sell for over £1000 each, and the buyers even give them positive feedback assuming its real.
I think everybody gets burnt by fakes, especially if they are new. I have done, on one of those exact coins.
This is why I don't buy coins off ebay even though every now and then I spot coins that would fit perfectly into my collection for a low price. I'm no where near enough experienced to spot a fake, especially not off just a picture, so whatever is cheap I just assume it's a fake and stay away...
I collect and deal in ancient Roman coin. In case you're looking for affordable ancient coins or need any help with the coins you already have send me a message.
94% rating is pretty lousy, I would stay away from anything less than 99% because these ratings get massively manipulated upwards by ebay itself.
Secondly, if the pictures are not clear then I stay away unless the catalogue value is so low that counterfeiting is not economical.
I also really check what the sellers are selling. If they consistently show clear images and the bidding crowd is substantially diverse and the items are consistent (similar values or themes) then I trust it more. Someone that is selling a few items with catalogue value >500€ next to some scrap coins I cannot take seriously.
Thanks to some forum members like pnightingale there are some really good threads in detecting fakes. They were posted around a year ago.
The rim of the 1922 Ruble looks suspicious. The 1912 Ruble could be real but if there's one fake there's usually more. No idea what to make of the 1812-1912 commemorative.. Resolution of the image is not high enough for proper investigation.
I find it rather funny that the lot's description is in "Russian" for that extra touch of "authenticity", but to anyone who actually speaks Russian, it will be painfully obvious that it was auto-translated rather than written by a seller in Russia. Even if I didn't already have doubts about those coins, I wouldn't bid based on that alone.
Quote: "oggy"Ironic, I just bought one of those.
Some coins you just don't buy on ebay.
There's near perfect fakes of 1934 wreath crowns and gothic crowns out there which sell for over £1000 each, and the buyers even give them positive feedback assuming its real.
I think everybody gets burnt by fakes, especially if they are new. I have done, on one of those exact coins.
I'm happy to say that I'm the proud owner of a beautiful toned 1921 star ruble, my favorite piece. I got it off eBay, so there are good coins to be found if you do your homework. Russian coins require a little extra homework, though-- these days I don't think I would buy one whatsoever off eBay unless it were slabbed. I love them, but it's a dangerous area with all the fakes...
For a Gothic crown that's honestly still too low to be a believable price. It's a shame, people thinking they're getting a good deal... you're right, some coins you just don't buy on eBay.
Men resemble their times more than they do their fathers.
Quote: "oggy"Ironic, I just bought one of those.
Some coins you just don't buy on ebay.
There's near perfect fakes of 1934 wreath crowns and gothic crowns out there which sell for over £1000 each, and the buyers even give them positive feedback assuming its real.
I think everybody gets burnt by fakes, especially if they are new. I have done, on one of those exact coins.
I'm happy to say that I'm the proud owner of a beautiful toned 1921 star ruble, my favorite piece. I got it off eBay, so there are good coins to be found if you do your homework. Russian coins require a little extra homework, though-- these days I don't think I would buy one whatsoever off eBay unless it were slabbed. I love them, but it's a dangerous area with all the fakes...
For a Gothic crown that's honestly still too low to be a believable price. It's a shame, people thinking they're getting a good deal... you're right, some coins you just don't buy on eBay.
I'm still hunting for a 1921/2 rouble and 50 kopeks in XF or better. I did buy a 1924 ruble on E-Bay recently, but it was from a reputable dealer (aspencoins) and quite a few a people were bidding on them.
As far as buying slabbed coins... You would just be taking someone else's word for it, instead of doing your own homework and checking. There are plenty of fake slabs and slabbed fakes and unless you crack the slab open, you can't check the weight, etc.
Quote: "Houseofham"I'm still hunting for a 1921/2 rouble and 50 kopeks in XF or better. I did buy a 1924 ruble on E-Bay recently, but it was from a reputable dealer (aspencoins) and quite a few a people were bidding on them.
As far as buying slabbed coins... You would just be taking someone else's word for it, instead of doing your own homework and checking. There are plenty of fake slabs and slabbed fakes and unless you crack the slab open, you can't check the weight, etc.
That's a pretty ruble, I don't have the 1924 yet myself. I'd say if the dealer has a good reputation, has been around for a while, etc., then it's safe to go for it. I got my 1921 from drbarsky. Unfortunately I'm away at the moment, so I can't post a picture of it.
That's true, actually there are a few slabs that appear to be fake on the seller's account from the link I posted above. If the TPG is reputable then you should be able to look up the coin's number on the slab though; I'm not a huge fan of slabs myself (I've cracked open a few), but it makes it a little bit safer.
Men resemble their times more than they do their fathers.
Quote: "oggy"Ironic, I just bought one of those.
Some coins you just don't buy on ebay.
There's near perfect fakes of 1934 wreath crowns and gothic crowns out there which sell for over £1000 each, and the buyers even give them positive feedback assuming its real.
I think everybody gets burnt by fakes, especially if they are new. I have done, on one of those exact coins.
I'm happy to say that I'm the proud owner of a beautiful toned 1921 star ruble, my favorite piece. I got it off eBay, so there are good coins to be found if you do your homework. Russian coins require a little extra homework, though-- these days I don't think I would buy one whatsoever off eBay unless it were slabbed. I love them, but it's a dangerous area with all the fakes...
For a Gothic crown that's honestly still too low to be a believable price. It's a shame, people thinking they're getting a good deal... you're right, some coins you just don't buy on eBay.
Yep, that is true actually. If it's a reputable dealer it's no problem to buy very expensive coins on ebay.
One UK example would be Jonblyth who has a history of £1 auction starts selling very beautiful and authentic coins. There are others, but it probably deserves its own thread.
That said, coins like the Gothic Crown are so dangerous they almost always need post purchase authentication. Even serious dealers can make a mistake.
I shall post my lovely 1912 commemorative rouble tomorrow ^^ The real ones are absolutely stunning coins, with a great history including an insane Napoleon. What more could you want from a coin/!
Quote: "jokinen"94% rating is pretty lousy, I would stay away from anything less than 99% because these ratings get massively manipulated upwards by ebay itself.
Secondly, if the pictures are not clear then I stay away unless the catalogue value is so low that counterfeiting is not economical.
I also really check what the sellers are selling. If they consistently show clear images and the bidding crowd is substantially diverse and the items are consistent (similar values or themes) then I trust it more. Someone that is selling a few items with catalogue value >500€ next to some scrap coins I cannot take seriously.
Thanks to some forum members like pnightingale there are some really good threads in detecting fakes. They were posted around a year ago.
Thank you for the tips! Whenever I see these types of threads around I hope to learn a few things about how other users spot fakes. I'll definitely try a search for those threads too.
Quote: "oggy"I shall post my lovely 1912 commemorative rouble tomorrow ^^ The real ones are absolutely stunning coins, with a great history including an insane Napoleon. What more could you want from a coin/!
I'm going to be checking this thread again to see that coin, it's in my wish list it seems. What a beautiful coin-- I'm going to be looking for one in a couple months when I'm ready to spoil myself with a nice coin again
In response to your previous post, there are good coins to be found from respectable dealers on eBay. It's helpful for collectors like me, there's no extensive coin stores a hundred miles in any direction here...
Men resemble their times more than they do their fathers.
If you don't feel you can do what is needed to positively ID the coin as genuine, then you stay away from it. I never buy a decent value coin until it has been through every check possible.
I can't trust eBay when it comes to Gothic crowns or similar value. Including slabbed coins.
Restoration addict : Verdigris Removal : Zinc White spot removal : Iron Rust Removal : Silver brooch/necklace mount Removal
Quote: "Fluke"If you don't feel you can do what is needed to positively ID the coin as genuine, then you stay away from it. I never buy a decent value coin until it has been through every check possible.
I can't trust eBay when it comes to Gothic crowns or similar value. Including slabbed coins.
Depends entirely on the seller for me. Some I'd buy from without a doubt.
I got it off eBay, so there are good coins to be found if you do your homework. Russian coins require a little extra homework, though-- these days I don't think I would buy one whatsoever off eBay unless it were slabbed. I love them, but it's a dangerous area with all the fakes...
