How Some Sellers Describe their Coins

I will begin by saying that I have never sold a coin over the internet through eBay or any other forum. If I were to do so, I would write a general description of the coin that is intended to catch the buyer's eye, take pictures that are as close as possible to the coin in hand, and then, if applicable, highlight any issues I think the coin may have.

This post is about the first part: the general description of a listed coin intended to catch the buyer's eye. More precisely, I want to talk about words I would not use in a description unless the coin had issues.

Details: "choice AU/UNC details," "great details," and "BU details." Details grade indicates the amount of wear a coin exhibits but because of a problem, the coin cannot receive a regular numerical grade. When "details" is used in a coin description, is the seller indicating the coin has a problem or is it just a nice problem-free coin? I wonder, especially for listings that add "nice original luster" after saying "BU details." I would not use the word details unless the coin was a "details" coin. Then I would describe the issue I think makes the coin a "details" coin.

Genuine (when used to describe a graded, slabbed coin): Genuine is used by PCGS for a coin with issues that cannot be graded. For example, a coin with a numerical grade that is described by a seller as "certified genuine graded" is superfluous and confusing. A straight grade coin is genuine or it would not have graded. Overly picky here? Maybe but it tells me the seller is probably not familiar with coin terminology.

Never cleaned: "Never cleaned" is a problem for me unless the seller is the original owner. I see "never cleaned" in listings for coins that are 40, 50, or 100 years old, even for coins that have circulated. The seller would have to be older than the coin and have bought it from the mint to know for sure. So I ask, can a seller who is not the original owner of a business trike coin that has been issued or circulated really know if the coin has never been cleaned?

What are your thoughts? Any coin descriptions you would avoid?

 

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Usually, when you send a coin in for grading, they will be able to tell if your coin is cleaned. It is possible that they won't be able to tell though. But honestly, I wouldn't even say anything about whether it was cleaned or not, because you wouldn't know.

 

The word "rare" in a seller's description is a turn off for me. Some coins do deserve the designation. However most of what I see termed as "rare" is anything but rare.

 

I usually try to avoid descriptions that try to be all flashy. I find it annoying, to be honest.

 

Bee shure too mispell evereething...espeshully "shinny".

 

For me, the photograph says it all. If the seller can't show me a clear photo of the coin that represents it best, I pass. Period.

 

L@@K

MONSTER

UNSEARCHED

 

All terms that are heat but no light.

 

FS-101 for every year, doesn't matter if it exist for that year, or not ..

 

I would assume that any raw coin sold on eBay is a details (problem) coin unless there were very clear photos indicating otherwise. Even then I would be hesitant to pay full “problem free” money.

Also keep in mind that the higher the value of the coin, the more likely it is to be a problem coin if raw. Otherwise why would someone leave money on the table selling it raw? Being found in a 200 year old safe doesn’t cut it...

 

Depends on context. with the examples you listed "choice AU/UNC details," "great details," and "BU details.", I would expect the first and third to be coins that can't be straight graded. The second could be anything but probably just means "it looks nice"

That is confusing because as soon as I see "certified genuine" I immediately think "problem coin". And saying graded just makes me think it has been "graded" as a problem coin. But then you say it has a numerical grade which makes me ask "which service" because ANACS and PCI both used to give numerical grades to problem coins.

You nailed the problem with this one. Unless the seller bought it personally from the mint, or it is still in its sealed OGP (and that doesn't always hold true) they have no way of guaranteeing that someone before them didn't clean it.

If it has been improperly cleaned that is probably true. If it was properly cleaned it leaves no signs and they wouldn't know.

 

I prefer to keep it simple. So no flowery language or click-bait titles.

 

++++++++++++

 

I always describe it with as many flaws as possible highlighted; makes it more difficult for those pesky buyers who love to claim the item is "not as described."

 

A coins appearance can be so manipulated through photography
That I would never consider purchasing one online that could not be returned.

 

Good point and yes, the coin is in an ANACS holder. Holder does not say genuine, just AU58. The seller added "certified genuine" which would make me question the listing but more to the point, a graded coin (PCGS/NGC/ANACS/ICG) means genuine. It is superfluous to add genuine to listing.