Because the Greek government has ridiculously strict antiquity laws and only allow counterfeits to be exported, legally. Authentic coins have to be grandfathered in and have a paper trail to prove it; if they are to be exported. Have to keep as much valuable property in their country with an economy like that.
Add my vote for having a forum here for fakes. We have new members joining everyday and many don't have the experience and or knowledge of various other other sites to educate them on the fakes that are out there.
Ebay needs to crack down on these Greek sellers of fakes. And while their at it nail those sellers from China who are doing the same thing.
A cursory glance at that link Bing provided and my first impression was that they looked too good to be true---and especially at the prices listed....but they are pretty good fakes....and some could very easily fool me---and that always scares the hell out of me. I think JA's observations are invaluable to keep in mind. Not to mention always taking Bing's advice and check the forgery listings
I love the fakes databases but dislike having to look multiple places to be sure the one I seek is not on one but not the other. Considering the vast number of fakes already on the existing databases, the addition of yet another seems unnecessary. There is one other problem with fake databases and fake seller lists. None, however magnificent, can be 100% up to date with the latest fakes entering the market. If a collector, particularly a new collector who does not understand the situation, looks at a list and fails to find his example he must NOT assume his coin is good. If it is sold by a fake seller, it should be considered a fake. If it is listed as a fake in a database, it should be considered a fake. If it looks suspicious with signs of fake statue (casting, funny style, whatever!), it should be considered a fake. This is not a game where you need three strikes to be out. One will do nicely. Buy good coins from good people for good money. If you want to support the failing economies of Greece and Italy (as well as a few other countries who forbid export) just send them your money as a gift. Don't give them the laugh that they fooled the stupid American as well.
