I purchased a coin on VCoins from a dealer named Athena Numismatics that seems to be based in Amherstburg, ONTARIO Canada. Its been more than a week already and I have not gotten a shipment email yet. I've asked the dealer about whether the coin has shipped yet or not but I get no response. Here is the coin, Alexander III AR Drachm 4.04 grams Miletus mint circa 325-323 Price 2088 Lifetime Issue I've did some reading online regarding Athena Numismatics and overall the reviews have been negative. On his silver coins, he seems to have put some chemical, naval jelly or done some procedure that puts blueish toning on the coins which looks totally hideous and artificial. My original plan was to remove that artificial toning, remove the deposits on the coin and retone the coin natrually. But based on all the bad feedback he has gotten over the years, should I be worried that I might not even receive the coin? Has anyone ever run into this issue with a dealer on VCoins?
I have bought from Athena before in the past and have noticed a lag in communication. I believe it is a one man operation and he doesn’t check his orders or emails everyday. I don’t think you have to worry about not getting the coin. In the event you don’t hear from him, VCoins would step in and make sure you are taken care of. Nice coin btw.
Thanks, hopefully it won't have to come to that since I do have "plans" for this particular coin and I even already typed up and cut out a coin flip insert for it already.....
Athena is rather notorious for repatinated bronze coins, so I wouldn't be surprised to learn he's tinkered with the silver as well. But I don't think that one looks so bad. I do not think the seller is an outright crook, either, even if he is a coin doctor. A week is still not quite long enough to be overly concerned. I do think you'll get the coin. FWIW, I have never done business with him.
I once ordered from a Canadian seller on VCoins and it took a week for them to ship. Apparently, they lived close to the US border and would make weekly trips to a PO in the US to send their US packages. Kind of irked me though since they charged me the shipping as if it was coming internationally, didn't even hide the ship cost on the package!
To be fair, I looked over some of his current listings and did see that at least three of the orangey-colored bronzes were honestly described as having "applied patina". That was not in the description of all of the suspiciously orange looking ones, but it was on a few.
Have you tried contacting them directly through Vcoin? That will usually get a response. I have ordered from them and they like some on Vcoin are just slow in shipping. I doubt there is any scam going on. I have bought from them also. The worst I have had issues like this with are European sellers. They ship but some can be very slow. I don't know if they get backed up or what. I have only had one issue I had to resolve myself on Vcoin. I bought a coin and it showed shipped but the tracking said the post never received it. The seller never really stood up and gave a refund so I had to do a credit card charge back. I got my funds back but it was a bit strange they never did it themselves. This is why I will never pay by MO, wire, bank draft, ACH ect. Credit card and Paypal. That way if its a scam or something goes wrong I can at least get my funds back.
Finally gotten a reply by Salem saying that he will ship the coin out today! Thanks everyone for the responses and advice, it seems it's true that he rarely checks his messages. I have a feeling that he wouldn't have shipped the coin out today if I hadn't sent him a fourth message! I will try to give him some advice in regards to toning, that naval jelly thing he is doing ruins the look of his silver coins. Letting your coins tone naturally is a better bet.
That naval jelly thing is just supposition. I'm sure he does something to his silver coins the same as he applies desert patina to bronze coins. As far as giving him advice...he has sold many thousands of coins in the 20 years that he has been doing this...but I'm sure he would appreciate your advice; especially since you must have more experience than him if you are throwing out advice.
