http://www.ebay.de/itm/281387444510?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Seller doesn't say anything about the coin except "no warranty, no returns"... it's a 1893-S Morgan, checking the PCGS cert verification it turns out it's a $11k coin. What do you think?
I think this: High imitation XF45 1893 - s Morgan silver copy coin & free shipping US $130.00 / piece
I think it's an excellent opportunity to get an example of that fake slab for free. Buy it, report it as fake, get your money back from eBay. If eBay wants to ignore reports of bogus auctions, they're volunteering to subsidize your fake-coin collection. My only fear is that they'll eventually deal with the surge of fakes by suspending or limiting Buyer Protection for coins, and that'll be the end of eBay as a viable market for coins.
Jeff, let's assume I would buy it, how can I proof it's a fake slab? Send it to the PCGS branch office in Paris and ask them to verify?
That's what I thought. Also, PCGS in Paris may ship it to the US as they probably do not have any graders/specialists here.
I'm not sure what they would require for proof, and I don't know how different it would be if you're in France. I probably wouldn't take the chance. Here in the US, I've reported two counterfeits to eBay. In the first case, the seller refused to cooperate, and eBay refunded my money without requiring a return. In the second case, the seller refunded my money, and eBay says the case is closed; since the seller is continuing to sell counterfeits on eBay, I'm not willing to return this coin so he can try selling it again. In the first case (the one where the seller fought), I provided photographs and a link to the Web site for the supplier of the fakes, and that was enough for eBay. In the case you're pointing out, I imagine that the link for the "high imitations" showing the same number would be enough proof for them -- it would be helpful if you could demonstrate that the official PCGS photo for the real coin shows different features from the one you received, or if you can photograph incorrect details on the slab you receive.
Looks like this dealer was taken in by this same counterfeit. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=161367832269
It has the same cert number as the other one. If this is the real one, I'd be upset if I was that dealer.
Doh! Didn't notice. I was looking at the coin. If these are both from the same mold, the pictures certainly make them look different. And yes, I do mean mold as I'm assuming these are cast, not minted.
