Is this 3-Legger for Real ?

I was bidding on this E-Bay coin until I kept having some doubts about the color. It finally got out of my range of trust and sold for $ 710.00. What do you think about the authenticity ?

 

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Why would anyone with a rarity or popular error leave money on the table by selling it raw?

Be suspicious.
Lance.

 

I'm no expert but, there is something really weird on that one. color and surface texture just look scary...

 

Or the weirdness could be due to a "scan".

No expert either, and I'm way out of my element, but a legitimate tri-legger (un-holdered) could appear on e-bay. It's the chance you take with that venue, but for that kind of money? I want some assurances.......I want something that's in a reputable holder.

 

You guys made some great points and I feel much better now that I didn't get greedy and take the chance without some assurances.

 

From the die markers I can see it looks legit. I too do not like the picture as the surface looks funny though. And think that could just be because of a scan pict too.
But why chance it even if it is real?

 

I would need larger photos, but the main characteristics are there. I would especially need to see the buffalo's hoof and the Chief's neck. I suspect it is real, but altered surfaces, and that is why it isn't in a slab.

Jim

 

Jim, I am not sure what you mean about altered surfaces. Could you explain further how it can be real but altered.

Thanks -- Dave

 

If it's an important coin, it's not in a slab and for sale on ebay.....that's enough red flags for me to stay far, far away.

 

Well I was going on the photos, the surface looks almost etched, odd reflection. Could be that it was scanned or such, but also possible that someone treated it. If all was upright, the grade is such that I agree with Thad, why isn't it in a slab of some sort.

Jim

 

LUCKY YOU! Because is not 3 Legs....All my dogs and cats has Four Legs.....3 legs must be certified...

 

The coin looks to be an authentic 3-legger. The color is due to the scan, but for the life of me, I don't know why you'd use a crappy scan to try to sell a $700 coin unless you were trying to hide something like color or patina. Personally, I don't think I'd chance buying this coin on eBay because of the aforementioned doubt about its surfaces. At least not at that kind of price.

Jim and Thad:

I recently sold a raw 3-leg on eBay (this last fall) and it sold perfectly well. The reason it was raw was a staple scratch on the reverse. I would have preferred to have it slabbed, but a details holder would be just as bad as raw IMHO.

 

Have to disagree. I have no problem with a genuine holder with important coins like this. In fact, I had a problem 3 legger slabbed just to authenticate it. These are so widely (and easily) faked, a genuine holder will definately add value.

 

i can actually see the missing leg.. look very close and you actually see it.

 

I understand your reasoning,and I beg to disagree, If I was a general buyer, I would prefer the slabbed detail, as I know about the scratch from seeing it. Just a difference outlook on the buyers I guess

Jim

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For those high dollar coins I would prefer the details holder as well, at least I would know it was real along with the issues...

 

On a side note, check out this 3-legger: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370547409768

:too-funny:

 

Dang thing almost looks like a Praying Mantis..........

 

Anyone would have to be almost totally out of their mind to buy a three leg buffalo and it not authenticated. The counterfeiters can make them by the thousands that can even fool most experts. I saw one seller that sold so many three legged bisons I bet he made over a million dollars and still may be selling them. he always said details and toneing looks original. I wonder where the same person got so many of them from. folks check your coins with a magnet is the first thing to do. If they are even slightly magnetic they are mostlikely a fake. there are also many other things to look for such as die markers and the coins weight. The guy I'm talking about as far as I know never did sell a authenticated and slabbed coin that was a three legged coin.

 

Die markers are all good so it is probably real. That doesn't mean it is original. I never trust images to tell me what something looks like (color surfaces etc) because I have no way to know if what I am seeing is how it really appears. But with return privileges I would buy it if I was in the market and I liked the price based on what I see in the image. This one doesn't look too nice colorwise and the surfaces may have some issues so I would be going for a low price on it.