Recently another member posted one of these and I really liked it and decided to investigate if they fell within my price range. First I checked eBay but didn't really like my options, so next I went to MA Shops. They had a lot of examples as expected, seeing as how many sellers on that site are in Germany. I was looking for the sweet spot where condition was good enough to see a lot of detail but the coin still fit my budget. I found several candidates and finally narrowed it down to one to purchase. Unfortunately, the next day the seller contacted me saying the coin was not available but offering one they said was similar plus a 10 euro refund for the trouble. They sent a photo and I thought it looked similar so I agree. The coin arrived yesterday and I have to say I'm disappointed. It is obviously cleaned. It does have a decent amount of detail but at this point in my collecting life I just don't really enjoy cleaned coins the way I used to. This is a problem I find with MA Shops. Many of the coins are cleaned, and many of the sellers photograph them in such a way that it's hard to tell what they really look like. I think I heard once that Europeans don't mind cleaned coins as much. Maybe that's true, but I don't. I guess the lesson might be that I just need to pay more to get an example I'll be happy with. Either that or really scrutinize the photos for any sign of cleaning. Here's the coin in question.
Here's the photo they sent. I guess I should have known it was cleaned. Maybe I just wanted to believe the best. It does look better in their pictures though.
I've done OK with MA-shops, but do try to avoid anything that looks harshly cleaned. This one was cleaned to death, and it shows even in the seller's pictures, but by comparing your pictures with the seller's, I can see why you were disappointed. I hope you're not out too much money. On the bright side, it's still a big piece of 200-year-old silver with a neat design.
I think it was around $70 shipped. Eventually I'll probably try to find one I like more and see if I can unload this one on eBay.
When you leave feedback on MA shops for this seller, mention the problem and give him a lower rating. Also, it doesn't hurt to contact the seller before you give the rating. Unfortunately, misleading photos are all too common. I've even seen photos with flaws "photoshopped" out. It is really quite easy to do. Getting back to your coin, it will tone over time. The problem with these over cleaned coins is that every flaw and circulation mark really stands out on such a overly bright surface. Time will help return the coin to a darker appearance, but cleaning will still be part of the coin's state. Here's a Chinese tael that is quite heavily hairlined from an overly aggressive cleaning, which is a shame. I've had the coin out for over a year now, putting it in the bathroom for a while, near the shower, and it is acquiring a toning of sorts, but if the coin is rotated, the hairlines still appear, albeit in a more muted way. If you enlarge the image, the cleaning is still quite evident. China, Sinkiang Province, No Date (1905), Tael (Sar), Y 7. 35.39 grams.
I have this one - good detail and patina, but unfortunately pierced... Priced accordingly, and still a good type coin. https://norantyki.com/german-coins/p/german-states-prussia-1818-a-silver-thaler
I'd contact the seller, but would give them the benefit of the doubt and not be too hard on them. I don't think there was any deliberate intention on their part to hide the fact that the coin is harshly cleaned. A coin's appearance can vary widely based upon different sets of photographs. That is certainly a better looking example. I'd just chalk this one up as a lesson learned.
I kind of feel like the fact that they sent me a picture and I said it was OK kind of means I can't complain now. Maybe I'm just being too nice but I rarely complain or ask to return things. I do feel though that their photo hides a lot of the problems. It might look cleaned but the surface looks a lot better in their picture than in real life.
I think you should at least express your disappointment and see if they offer any potential resolution.
