Not only juiced but harshly cleaned IMO. Beware of the seller. Have heard bad experiences from him before from many collectors.
I have bought one coin from great southern.....however I watch a lot of their auctions. Its really mind boggling how many great looking coins they get (just look at the sheer number of raw proof coins they sell), which is why I have hesitations when buying from them. I dont know if they are cracking problem coins out of slabs and selling them raw or what. This seller also gets unheard of premiums on many of the coins they are selling which is a risk I dont want to take buying raw. That being said, this coin looks harshly cleaned....I see hairlines all over it.
Thats why I'm so suspicious of this seller. Im into the Indian Cent series and they have soooo many raw proofs its ridiculous. Something seems up, but I don't know what.
That's been a question I've had for a long time. They seem to have an endless supply of nice, raw coins. And, they get extraordinary bids on them, usually at least 30% above the average selling price for like coins. I do have to hand it to them...their photography is top notch. This particular coin looks a little suspicious considering the entire reverse is covered in parallel horizontal lines...whizzed?
Can't speak to that coin, but I have purchased coins from them before and was happy with the transactions. I noticed the pictures are pretty small, and although nicely done do not show much detail, I always wish the picture was twice as big. Not sure about why they get premiums, but keep in mind some coins are rare varieties which deserve a premium. I purchased one such 1847 large cent in xf40 for 330 and the coin was a steal at that price. People who don't know large cent varieties probably thought I was crazy, but it was the rariest of the three 7/7 varieties.
Thank you all. I was going to bid as it looked so much better than the one I have (I finally completed my Walking Liberty book and am now looking to upgrade some of those early buys) but something didn't look right. You guys are great. I really appreciate all the help you can get from the good folks on Cointalk. As a collector that has only been serious for 4 years I'm not sure where I could get the help I get here. Ya'all rock :yes:
Thank you all. I was going to bid as it looked so much better than the one I have (I finally completed my Walking Liberty book and am now looking to upgrade some of those early buys) but something didn't look right. You guys are great. I really appreciate all the help you can get from the good folks on Cointalk. As a collector that has only been serious for 4 years I'm not sure where I could get the help I get here. Ya'all rock <img src="http://www.cointalk.com/images/smilies/36.gif" alt="" title="Yes" smilieid="64" class="inlineimg" border="0">
GSC is known to a few collectors on this forum as coin doctors. They juice photos, sometimes doctor authentic coins, clean them, all for a good sale. Most collectors get duped when they try to send one of their coins off to grading and get "Genuine" Grades. I have seen a few nicely re-tooled coins that they have sold here.
I think Texas has it right. Top notch photos. On Ebay the photo sells it and GREAT photo presentation adds a percentage to the bids they get. Something to take note of and learn from if you are selling. I picked up a few, (maybe 3 or 5, don't remember exactly) Morgans from them and was happy but I also was out bid on more than I won. Generally, as already stated, they seem to get to high a price for their auctions. Bid what you think its worth and don't let it bother you if you are outbid.
Its amazing what kind of pictures you can get by playing with the light. Plus the photoshopping, I'm guessing many of their coins are about two grades off. Treat them like any other ebay seller, if its not slabbed don't buy it.