Have you ever been disappointed with a coin you bought ?

Like say for example you bought a coin that looked good in the pictures but when you got it it looked a bit different due to the lighting or it was smaller then you thought it would be.

 

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Of course. Buyer's remorse is normal on occasion when you get a 'what was I thinking' moment. Similarly, other coins that you had in hand at a show and decided to leave can live on in your mind wishing you had bought it. I suggest people learn enough about the photo techniques of their favorite sellers that they can have a good idea whether or not they will like a coin 'in hand'.

 

I'm always disappointed when I add stuff just to "make the shipping cost worth it." But there's always a silver lining: each piece that you are not really loving is a new puzzle in its own right, which adds some value to your knowledge even if you'll never end up loving that particular object.

 

My first ancients purchases were random coins from lots for rather cheap, I was enjoying identifying as I learned. The first few were okay but then I got a real dud, a nearly unidentifiable Galeria Valeria that I only know is such because Victor has so much knowledge and experience with LRBs and is generous with his help as well.

 

I have more regrets about NOT buying/bidding than I have ever had about doing so. I regret the ones that got away.

 

Of course....when you can't go in person to examine the auction lots, it can surely happen. I recently got this one which looks quite unimpressive in hand.

On the contrary, I got this one which looks bad in the photo but very nice in hand, the crystallization is almost invisible

As long as there are no hidden defects in the photos that you can only discover when you receive the coin (eg edge marks), you should allow yourself a reasonable risk of this issue happening...

 

I tend to have seller's remorse more often than buyer's remorse.

 

I wish it was that easy....

Here's the same coin with a difference of one year between the auctions. I know both sellers. I am pretty sure that it won't be as bad as in the first photo and certainly not like the second.

 

The coins in hand are always a bit different from the seller photos. Usually they are better as the detail looks more 'detailed' in hand as coins are small and photos are always enlarged. As Doug said, if you stick with specific sellers you can have a good idea of what the coin will really look like.

But for a thread about 'disappointing' coins, the examples posted so far are stunning!

 

The worst of course is when you buy a prize coin and find out later it's a fake. That has to be the worst feeling.

 

I was watching an auction for a 1778 Morgan CC and thought the bidding seems low. Photos didn't show the coin quite clearly. Not having a CC Morgan I thought this was my chance to add on to my modest collection and I like that it was a 1778. I was so happy when I won!. Couldn't wait to have it in hand. When it arrived I thought "this is a nice coin". Then I turned it over . Just below the mint mark was the tell tale indication of the beginning contact of a small drill bit. I went back to the original posting but the reverse photos didn't clearly show that area enough to see the damage. Hmmmm. I still have it. I really like the coin, but lesson learned. Still can't figure out what others saw that I could not. I could have sent it back I guess, but .....no. I'm gonna keep it.

 

Did you mean to type 1878 Morgan CC? A 1778 would be a find.

 

fat fingers yes

 

Dust yourself off, don't look back, move forward. Most of us have had a wake me up moment it's no fun but that seems to be part of the process of learning, been there done that! Good luck

 

Often.

 

Got an 1896 Barber Quarter in XF for $27 many years ago. They dumbed down the pic, because when it arrived it had been polished. Too bad, nice coin otherwise.

 

Too often I buy laaaaaaaaaate at night or bid after I lost a coin I really wanted and my judgement is off a bit.
I returned this one bought at a coin show. When I looked at it at home, I thought - this is not a coin I want to look at often.

the coin is still on my wish list, but I will wait for one that looks a bit better

 

They're both very nice coins.

 

Try to keep expectations at a reasonable level, and if there are any issues that make you really unhappy with the coin return it. I try to take a relativistic approach, trying to be as objective as possible (good luck with that!).

Lots of variables affect how a coin appears as an image as opposed to the Real McCoy in hand. Also, other factors, such as rarity and price paid come into the mix.

I have been somewhat disappointed in the past, but I really have not done much in terms of returns. On the whole my purchases have been good ones, on the average, with some really good ones and some not-so-good at either end of the spectrum.

We collect very old coins. Lots of things have happened to them on their journeys to our collections. If a coin arrives and appears to be more encrusted, or somewhat darker, or has some old scrapes, that's okay with me.

However, if a coin has been altered or misrepresented, well, that's a whole different issue.