eBay: Risk of a fake

It does matter. Beginners and those who are in an 'early state' of collecting would easily be fooled by such a fake. Thus it becomes quite important if a potential buyer were to ask our opinion. And we as a community should impart our experience and opinions. We should never hold back or hide behind our pre-conceived notions. We simply cant expect that any potential buyer should know what we do or have our experiences.

Anyway, another music parallel, I am wondering how many might make the connection:

 

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Hmmm... I am still figuring out the connection that heavy metal IS music?!?!

 

Ebay has plenty of good genuine coins, buyers just need to research first before buying. Remember that old saying "buy the book before the coin?" Part of that message was to get you to know what exactly you were buying so that you wouldn't get a dud or pay too much. Familiarity with the material comes from repeated exposure to coins - in hand and published. You won't get that from constantly asking real or fake. Buy or borrow books, auction catalogs, etc and read them over and over.

 

That fake tetradrachm is sold for 220 pounds = 280 dollars

https://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTREMELY-...vip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l44720

Do some people have too much money?

 

More money than sense.

 

...more dollars than sense. I’ve always liked that saying.

It should be the title of my next thread... then we can post all of the coins that we’ve probably paid too much for and the coins that we’ve gambled on and found fake. I know I have at least a few of those.

 

Hah, what a diplomatic categorization, I like it! I was ignorant of the existence of this forum, the FORVM fake reports, and many other resources when first expanding beyond antiquities into coins in a serious manner. I didn't know where to even begin building knowledge, but at least now have a better foundation to build upon. I'm still wallowing in my vast ignorance and learn many new things every day from y'all here, and aside from the specific tips and observations, a valuable gift has been the general mindset or perspective employed when approaching and attempting to vet unfamiliar coins and dealers.

 

I am 100% with Victor on this one. If you wonder if there is a chance a coin might be fake, you might investigate further. If you think a coin IS fake, save time and just walk away. There are enough good apples in the barrel that you don't need to eat the rotten ones. This is not a 'innocent until proven guilty' matter.

 

I haven't seen any coins in this thread for a while - I think the following pictures speak many words. I bought these more than a decade ago as declared "replicas" they are made in a press (not cast) and are silver plated brass or copper. I suspect that many could mistake these for genuine, especially with a photo or holder that attempts to make it harder to see the flaws online. For me, this illustrates the risk of not getting what you expect (and potentially not recognizing that you have a fake even when you receive it).
Personally, I think it is better value to trust a reputable dealer and benefit from their expertise.

 

I see that fel temp pop up a lot from German sellers.