No doubt some bidders on this will hate me for drawing attention to it, but I've never seen an error like this before: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190484649603&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Though it's billed as a double impression error, it appears to be a triple. How could the BEP quality checkers miss something this blatant? Does this seem like the real deal?
The BEP did not miss this because when it left the BEP the note was fine. The extra seals and signatures were added by an unscrupulous person to try to pass this off as a legitimate error. Here is how you can tell this is fake: The Fed seal is printed at the same time as the serial number and Treasury seal. All of these elements would have to show the multiple impressions. More importantly, the signatures are part of the intaglio plate along with Washington's portrait, the frame, and all the other face text (except the seals and fed numbers). In order for the signatures to show up three times, the rest of this would also have to show that many times. This is not the first time this seller has tried to sell this note. He has been told before that this is not a genuine error.
Sorry, it's a fake. Signatures are part of the face plate, applied during the second printing process. Seals, fed and serial numbers are applied during the third printing process. Therefore the "error" illustrated is a physical impossibility. Before bidding on error notes, you need to learn how notes are printed, then you will recognize a fake when you see one.
What's really interesting is it's *not* the same note...but the serial number is only 167 away from that earlier note. I wonder if this means somebody made two whole straps' worth of these things.... :headbang:
Thanks for the good info, guys. This is not one that I've bid on. Another example of "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is." Does anyone know how to report something like this to eBay?
I just read through icandiggit's earlier thread. There are some differences with this eBay item -- first, it was posted on eBay.au (Australia), and next it has no reserve. So it appears that this dealer really is trying to ripoff the buyer, assuming he's aware it's a fake. I am going to send him a message to that effect. I tried reporting the item to eBay, but as noted previously, it can't be reported as fraud until the transaction takes place. And the report must be filed by the buyer. Ridiculous, but eBay doesn't allow anyone to *prevent* a fraud from occurring.
This seller from Australia has tried to sell these before. He has been contacted about his previous auctions and this one. He refuses to acknowledge that it is not a legitimate error. In fact, at this point he refuses to acknowledge my messages to him at all. It is not clear whether he bought the item and did not know it was a fake error when he bought it but he certainly knew before he put this auction up that this was not a legitimate error. Keep vigilant and keep reporting. PS to gsalexan: I imagine any potential bidders that haunt this site are thankful you brought it up.
That reminds of the show i went to today. I was looking through the sorted bin when a guy comes up to me and tells me to give him the Indian Heads that I come across. (so I am thinking ok maybe there is something in there like a die variety or error that others are not aware so i am going to keep an eye out for it). Anyhow out of the blue he tells me that he buys them (mind you at $1.50 - $2.50 each) and wraps in "unsearched" wheat rolls and makes a killing..on EBAY! Wish I caught his name..
Success! The buyer took down the auction early and cancelled all bids. No response to my message, but obviously it made a difference, especially if others sent similar notes. This dealer still bears watching, though, so stay vigilant.
