Apparently folks don't have time to do their homework, just write checks... I have files on most key date items but have several "go to" sources for various series/ items. In this case I go to the Barber Coin Collectors' Society, where they have authentication tabs for key dates: http://www.barbercoins.org/BQ1896S.shtml Their diagnostics for this date: And an image I created with the Bay subject coin in the middle: This one's pretty bad, but I still go through my steps! Best, Jack.
Great post OP. With the Chinese fakes nowadays I would never try to score a cheapo on Ebay. Way too many fakes unless I had deep knowledge like you demonstrate. Good coins are recognized by everyone, go to a good dealer and pay a fair price for something you know is authentic.
There are quite a few dealers actually, who do not certify valuable coins. Some of these dealer are legit. Some are not. There is one in the Midwest in Shawnee Mission who does not offer any certified coins, and many are very high priced. I found out when ordering a Liberty Seated Half and Quarter for my Dansco Type set. Both were listed as B.U. and graded out at A.U. 53 cleaned. I had decided to send them to ANACS after reading more online. My bad choice, long past the return window plus removed from the 2X2's. On the other hand I see Jim Long does not offer certified coins, at least not in his print ads, but does come highly recommended. Yep, know your dealers for sure. But I am surprised, that after all these years, the first dealer I mentioned, who has regular ads in Numismatic News, has not been shut down from NN by complaints.
And you don't need all the fancy die pair diagnostics - it's Reverse 3!!! That reverse didn't exist until 1900. Icing on the cake - it's also Obverse 3. Guess what? Didn't exist until 1900. Bidders really need to learn to do their homework. Edit - post a link to the listing and I'll be glad to go rip them a new one.
I think I know who you're talking about. I've never bought from him, but now I know not to. I've seen his ads from time to time.
Nice work Jack. The sad thing is, we'll never get to see the faces of all those big bidders when they see the listing just disappear.
You could make a listing on eBay selling the information on why that 1896-S barber quarter previously listed disappeared and why those bidders saved money by not winning the auction. $5 BIN for an email once their payment clears. Cheap education and maybe someone will take notes.
@Jack D. Young Your posts, both here and on Facebook (CoinWeek), are extremely interesting and educational. You do all of us a service with your information and the calling out of the fakes. THANKS!
It's basically the same thing we used to bust that 1901-S quarter - wrong reverse type for the year. Your "attribution!" mantra applies, although it's hard to have all the types and years memorized for every coin out there.
