NO! WHAT ARE THESE BIDDERS THINKING!

I was looking around on ebay and saw this... http://www.ebay.com/itm/1793-8-REAL...37?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item35e343bf09
It appears that some guy is selling a replica 1793 8 reales coin, even on the reverse of the coin it says replica. Anyways, Everyone bidding thinks that it is the real thing, an 8 reales from 1793. Here is a listing the same set for $5
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMERICAS-1S...192?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a492575d0

It is sad that someone will buy it and when they get home open the package and see "replica" stamped on the coin. For the price it is at right now you can get a real one!!

 

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now that is just stupid.

 

It even says that it's a replica in the text on the folder, over the reverse!
However, doesn't the HPA require that the word 'replica' be stamped into the surface of the coin? In this case it's engraved into the die in the same font as the rest of the rev. lettering.

 

I know exactly what they are thinking...

"America's first silver dollar was a replica? I must have it!"

 

Should be reported. Ebay strictly forbids the sale of replicas even if they are clearly stamped "Replica" or "Copy". I was called out on this on several replicas about a year ago. They at least warned me because of my good standing. However, it might be possible to sell these under the medals section there but usually their filters pick up on words like replica and copy and they are taken right down asap with warnings sent to sellers.

 

If you don't look closely, and don't recognize common words in foreign languages, maybe they confuse 'replica' with words like 'republica'? Especially, as ksparrow pointed out, it is raised, in the same font as the rest of the lettering, and "hiding" it by making the crown smaller, placing the word as if it belonged in the inscription, etc.

 

"non-regal" still works

 

The word "republica" shouldn't be there either lol

 

True, true. Just sayin'... ;-)

 

stupid is as stupid does

 

Maybe the bidders don't know how to speak Italian or Latin! LMAO. If you read the insert, it states: This meticulous reproduction is an exact replica of this famous coin

 

When the buyer gets fed up with it, and offer's it to a dealer who makes an offer of $3 it will be the dealer who is accused as a rip off merchant

 

It looks deliberate. There is no indication in anything the seller says that its a replica. The word replica is cleverly melded into the coin, and, the seller claims its silver, but nothing on the package indicates that. The package states the original was .903 silver.
To my mind, it is Ok to buy and sell these things, as long as you are completely up front about it. I once bought a Seated Dollar that was an obvious fraud, because it was only a couple bucks, and looked great in the album. It was known and understood that it was fake.
But, for my money, I want a GOOD fake! In this case, you could have a couple of Silver Eagles for that money, two ounces of silver.
First thought is, someone is going to be very angry, but the eventual buyer may never know.

 

Sent a message to the seller... for what it's worth, her response...
Dear xxxx
Our apologies. This item was listed by a new employee. We tried to end the item or at least revise it but since there was a bid
on it already Ebay did not permit. We have retrained this new employee and will give a full refund to the person who wins the item
Sorry for any inconvenience.

Debbie

- cgob_lynbrook
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From: xxxx
To: cgob_lynbrook
Subject: Other: crc2074 sent a message about 1793 8 REALES COLONIAL SILVER COIN AMERICA'S FIRST SILVER DOLLAR #231446134537
Sent Date: Jan-14-15 05:56:12 PST
Dear cgob_lynbrook,

As a representative of "ONE OF THE MOST REPUTABLE COMPANIES IN NEW YORK" you might want to mention somewhere in your description that you are selling a replica of a 1793 8 reales coin, not a real coin.
- xxxx

 

Very good!
If it was silver, which I doubt, it might be worth it. But it has to be upfront

 

Not to sound negative but she could have ended the auction at any time by simply clicking a box that says "this item no longer available". She also could have written the high bidder to explain why she had to take the item down and not disappoint the bidder who won by giving a refund. I have had to do this on several occasions over the course of my 10 years on ebay. It has always worked to my favor by jumping on these things early so as not to receive negative feedback. But you did the right thing okbustchaser.

 

Even then, $50+ for under an ounce of silver worth $12 is still bad.

 

Not just the silver.
In most cases with these replica's, you get a copy of a very rare coin, such as a chain cent or 1804 dollar, in uncirculated. It looks great in your album, it doesn't cost as much as a 4 bedroom house, and the silver gives it authenticity and some
real value.
But this? Its probably pewter, and is not uncirculated. Its a replica of a well worn coin. Nor is the real coin all that rare, expensive and hard to find.

 

No, it requires the word COPY, to stamped incuse into the coin. Replica (raised or incuse) does NOT satisfy the HPA rules.


And I wouldn't guarantee that that replica is even silver. Typically the copies marketed in those holders AREN'T the original alloy.

 

This just shows how common sense is evaporating from the species' heads at an accelerated pace. They equate a lower price as a "bargain" and get caught up in the "auction fever"Too bad for them!....