Anybody familiar with MA-shops?

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by Patrick1, Jan 13, 2019.

  1. Hiddendragon

    Hiddendragon World coin collector

    I don't have an issue. I just have not received my orders yet because not enough time has passed.
     
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  3. mrbadexample

    mrbadexample Well-Known Member

    I've not had much of a look, but from what I have seen the prices are through the roof. Then there are the mis-attributed coins. It seems that sellers look up a coin, see it has varieties and pick the rarest one.

    For example, neither of these are 1854/3. They are the normal, (very) common 1854, worth a fraction of what they're asking:

    https://www.ma-shops.com/numiscollection/item.php?id=201310&lang=en

    https://www.ma-shops.com/roose/item.php?id=5161&lang=en

    This one is described as 1858/3, but is actually 1858/2 (I won't get started on the "UNC" grading).

    https://www.ma-shops.com/henzen/item.php?id=30070&lang=en

    They are asking a hopelessly unrealistic €750 for it. A better one sold at LCA just last month for £220+ commission: http://londoncoins.co.uk/?page=Pastresults&auc=163&searchlot=771&searchtype=2

    So where do we stand when the seller says "yes it is" and the buyer says "no it isn't"?

    Caveat emptor...
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2019
  4. Mkman123

    Mkman123 Well-Known Member

    There is a make a offer from some sellers and if not, email them!
     
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  5. Bayern

    Bayern Active Member

    I have purchased German States coins on several occasions from different ma shops dealers (all pre-1700 dates), that were all fairly priced, along with very good shipping rates, too. In particular, some scarce issues, in nice grades~that when I have encountered these coins on eBay, or Vcoins, they were either priced much higher than what I paid through MA Shops, or they were close in price, but were in horrible condition. I have seen some dealers on ma shops as well with crazy prices, inaccuracies in descriptions- but not many in my experience. I think also you will find instances of this anywhere that you have a lot of people selling, including coin shows/fairs, obviously.
     
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  6. mrbadexample

    mrbadexample Well-Known Member

    I've no doubt, and maybe I am being a little unfair. The coins I've highlighted are British, sold by non-British sellers, and I think therein lies the problem: it's not their area of expertise. However, I don't think they do enough to check. They find a scarce variety in a book and they see what they want to see.

    Were your German States coins from German sellers?
     
  7. longshot

    longshot Enthusiast Supporter

    I agree with Bayern, mostly I look at older German States silver, and generally prices are in line with other sources, sometimes even better. Also I find too many coins I want!
     
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  8. mrbadexample

    mrbadexample Well-Known Member

    Ok, so we have a German site with lots of German sellers that's good for German States coins. That's not so surprising. I looked at British coins as that's what I principally collect. It's not good.
     
  9. wcg

    wcg Well-Known Member

    I have been quite pleased with the last few purchases from MA shops dealers. All purchased raw with favorable results once I sent to NGC.

    AU-55

    1743-mainz-half-taler-both-small.jpg
    MS-63

    1732-mainz-halftaler-both-small.jpg

    AU-58
    1774-mainz-taler-combined.jpg
     
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  10. Bayern

    Bayern Active Member

    I don’t recall the exact history, but it was a mixture of German and non-German sellers.
     
  11. mrbadexample

    mrbadexample Well-Known Member

    I get why you're pleased. :)
     
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  12. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    German dealers/ auction houses have very strict grading.
    NGC MS-66/67= Stempelglanz( UNC.)
    NGC MS-65/64= Fast St.(AU)
    NGC MS 63/62= Vorzg+ ( EF+)
    NGC MS-61/60= Vorzg. (EF)
    NGC AU-58/55= Sehr Schon+ (VF+)

    John
     
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  13. ma-shops

    ma-shops Well-Known Member

    That is true @panzerman … and the german definition is mostly not translated to the english standard. Here is an explanation for the grading, from the german definition to the english standards:
     
  14. ma-shops

    ma-shops Well-Known Member

  15. tibor

    tibor Supporter! Supporter

    My order from Sann got to me in four days. Took seven
    plus days from me, N.E. Tn., to reach Omaha. Sann is one
    of the best on MA-shops. All of the dealers I have ordered
    from were wonderful to work with!!
     
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  16. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Actually, I just got a MS-64 AV 1/4 Dukat from Transylvania Empress mariaTheresia 1749 Karlsburg Mint from German Dealer on this site . Coin/ price/ quality=great buy.
    John
     
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  17. mkivtt

    mkivtt Well-Known Member

  18. tibor

    tibor Supporter! Supporter

    Sammlerzeichen is a collectors identity mark. Whether mint made or placed by a collector such as the small "D" placed on one of the 1804 dollars or a mark with India Ink that many collectors and mueums used. In this case there is an identifying rim ding on the coin.
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2019
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  19. mkivtt

    mkivtt Well-Known Member

    Thank you very much!
     
  20. tibor

    tibor Supporter! Supporter

    I will pass along the thanks to my mother, she translated.
     
  21. 7Jags

    7Jags Well-Known Member

    German AU as MS65? I think not, except on rare occasions.
     
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