Please advise!

Hey there everybody. I have just started collecting Morgan Dollars (I guess it's a great place to start) and won an auction last week for an 1886-O coin. Today it arrived and I am a little conerned about the quality. It is VERY bright, and I would say it has to be uncirculated (from my limited experience) but I am wondering if it is quite as great as the listing said. Here are the two images, I know they aren't the best .. I scanned them on my flatbed scanner which has issues...






Can anyone tell me what they think it's worth??

Despite the wonky images, you can see all the feathers on the eagle's breast and the very fine hairlines on lady liberty. Some how the scanner blinds them out a bit.

I am hesitant to say what I paid.

Jim

 

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No need to. As for the value, that's a pretty expensive coin if it is indeed uncirculated and has not been dipped. I know that scans can not show mint luster very well. Does the coin have cartwheel luster in hand?

 

Tought to tell from your scans. I save the pics and zoomed in on them...it looks to me this coin has been whizzed or polished.
Look closely at the obverse - see how the surface closer to the device (head) is different from the rest of the surface out to the rim?
Look closely at the obverse - I notice a difference in the surfaces inside the wreath and outside the wreath also.
Is this true with the coin in hand?

 

ugh...

I got out my digital camera and took some decent angles. I am really starting to worry here.

http://www.mofrad.net/coins/1886/

Here is the auction itself that I won...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=180336235597

he says.....

"NEVER CLEANED OR POlished"

Now I wonder....

I think I am feeling a bit sick to my stomach now

 

Return it... Looks like it has been overdipped and polished in my opinion. The luster is not original. Send it back with full insurance and delivery confirmation. Then if he doesn't give you your $$$ back, file a claim as not as described and forward all of your shipping information to paypal. Tom

 

I agree now, in the listing he mentions that he takes returns within 3 days. I am going to ship this back to him tomorrow morning (I received it today) He does say that "Slabbed coins are not returnable" I don't think a coin in a paper holder would be considered slabbed would you??

Thanks so much

Jim

 

Yes, return it and get your money back. I agree with tdec - dipped/polished. The luster isn't right at all.
I would not buy a raw coin off eBay unless I absolutely know the seller, and there is a money back return policy in effect. I will not buy any high priced raw coins at all off eBay. It has gotten real bad with frauds, shysters, and counterfeits.

 

ugh... lesson learned! And at what a cost!

I am returning it asap overnight with signature required. I wonder if he will honor the listing promise that it is returnable in three days. I'll bet he regrets putting that in there, at $799 I am not so sure he will do the right thing. Maybe I can force him through ebay, I paid via paypal and all my questions to him have been via ebay's "ask seller a question" so it's all logged.

Thank You guys

Jim

 

First of all let me say I think it is a great coin. There is no way though, that this coin wasn't dipped. Not with that aluminum foil - stainless steel look to the surfaces.

Ruben

 

I agree with the above and also, do not think it would grade as high by any means. I don't think you will have any problems as long as you get it posted with a tracking number within 3 days. He does say you must email him first, so do so, with a cc to a friend or someone. Many want you to email them first , so they can make an offer at a lower price. Should be fine.

Jim

 

Well I am just back now from the Post Office. I had to drive to Bradley Airport in CT (about a 45 min drive) to the only one open evenings within a 100 mile radius. I've overnighted the coin to him with signature verification.

We shall see what happens next. He still hasn't replied to my email.


I'll post an update when it happens.

Thanks everyone!

Jim

 

Hope it works out! Keep us in the loop!

 

You can copy your email and replies to this thread and I'll coach you on how to confront him but good and well. Guaranteed results. Ask Arizona Jack.

Ruben

 

Hopefuly the guy has emailed you back, and your money will be refunded shortly.

I do suggest that before you buy any coin of that ammount that you first put in some long hours of study. Check out books on grading, and how to detect fakes. Look at books on topics of interest..such as Morgan Dollars. Read as much as you can, and look at as many photos as you can......as most of all....ask questions.
If you are looking at an auction and would like a 2nd persons thoughts...post the link here on CT! We will be glad to be of service

Good luck!

Speedy

 

You guys are the greatest! Thanks so much for all your help. I have my fingers crossed he will stay true to his listing and refund the coin if returned in 3 days. I was asured by the postal worked it would be there no later than Wednesday morning, well within the three days.

Till then I'll hold my breath, and listen to your advice to do my research a bit better next time.

Jim

 

I have usually found that when they say something like " 3 days", that you mail it within 3 days of receiving. You can't ever be sure of delivery. At least I can't from the desert.


Jim

 

If you're ready to drop that much money on a coin....BUY IT IN PERSON! No matter what, buy it from a reputible dealer. The main place I deal with would NEVER allow a cleaned, dipped or counterfeit coin in their shop. If I were to ever buy such a coin from them, send it in for grading and it comes back as such....they will refund my money. Why even take the chance on eBay? I believe a good number of the coins on there are on there for a reason, they've been cleaned, dipped or altered and nobody in person would be willing to buy it.

 

Well I couldn't agree more now. I learned my lesson, I was a newbie and made a bad impulse ebay buy. I will be much more careful in the future.

Thanks!

Jim

 

Unless someone else on cointalk comes in a sweeps up the coin, not that that has ever happened

All things being even, Speedy is right on the button. I usually take 3-6 months to make a major purchase and I'll make several smaller purchases on the way of the same type coin to get a feel for it. And then I'll ask a half dozen other people on cointalk what they think.

I'll look at hundreds of examples and compare them, both in hand and on the internet. By the time I'm done and I make the purchase, I might not be an expert on the coin, but I'm sure as heck an educated buyer.

In fact, this process is one of the core facets of collecting coins that I enjoy. It sort of reminds me of how people used to purchase stereo equipment in the 1970's. You spend a $1000 on equiptment and $2000 on audophile magazines

Ruben

 

*update*

I received the following email from the seller after I emailed him that I was not satisfied and wanted a refund, per the listing.


"Dear mofrad,

You can return the coin if you have not opened it or tampered with it in any way. there is also a 10% restocking fee to pay for e-bay fees,etc. sorry you did not like the coin it has more detail and breast feathers than any 1886-0 I have ever seen. thanks"


I replied to him:

Dear XXXXX,

I shipped it back to you last night with overnight priority. You should have it today or tomorrow.

If you refund me the entire purchase price there will be no ebay or paypal fees. I will file a dispute with ebay if that helps. From the listing it is clearly indicated the coin is in MS form.

The coins grade is AU, and has been cleaned and possibly dipped. The luster is not natural, I have checked with two experts. The difference in value between an AU and even an MS60 is hundreds of dollars.

Thanks for the response

Jim

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We shall see what happens now....