eBay counterfeit coins and lack of response to reports

So, given all the discussion above, what are the best ebay alternatives in 2025 (understanding that the answers may be different for buying vs selling)?

Let's assume one does not have $500+ coins to sell, or can't afford to buy coins at that level. All, or at least most, of their collection are comprised of raw coins that would fall in the $0.01 - $299 range. Auction Houses like Stacks or HA are probably out of the question to either buy or sell such "low-value" coins, no? Who can, or has, been a comparable option to ebay?

It seems that ebay still holds the market for buying and selling lower-value coins. Where else is one to go to "get a deal"? But, if one is buying $500+ coins, maybe there are better options.

Thoughts?

 

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To reach the market in numbers for low / medium price buys there's really no comparison to ebay. There are still a few good sellers there. When buying coins it's wise to carefully inspect each coin. When buying coins on ebay that holds true as well for inspecting the seller. Good guys usually have 99% or better good feedback and have been doing this for a while. The less than desirables usually have little to no feedback and have only been around a short time. What feedback they might have also could be shills with those members having little history as well. It does take a little bit of leg work but doing your due diligence in investigating beyond the window dressing can help make a decision.

 

Ebay is still a convenient place to buy coins... but be careful, and I wouldn't go there for coins of significant value where it's too easy to sneak a fake in. If it's modern coins in their original government packaging, coins of relatively low value, or coins certified by reputable TPGs, I'm not too worried I'll get something fake. Otherwise... I just steer clear and will visit one of my local coin stores that I know are staffed by honest and knowledgeable people (unless it's a seller with a great reputation, known to be knowledgeable and honest. There are quite a few, but know who you're buying from).

It's a common saying that you'll save thousands of dollars if you make friends with an honest mechanic. I would say you should expand that to include an honest coin dealer if you're going to invest a lot in this hobby.

Coveat Emptor.

 

Actually you do...

 

In terms of my searches, I have a tendency to stay within North America (alot of sellers from China passing off fake coins as genuine that for 20-40 bucks that should be going for 2K+ in the same condition if the were) and even then: I look at their reviews and how much they've sold. It's gotten bad, I even looked up megalodon teeth for the lol and they're doing the same thing (though I have come across a store that I've bookmarked that sell real ones)

 

What I meant is I have direct reporting ability.

 

Sort ASEs by lowest price and you'll find dozens to hundreds of Chinese sellers hawking fakes. Sadly their photos often look good (because the photos are of genuine coins) and sadly they find buyers.

Early on they were easily distinguished because they were selling for $5 or $10. Then people started advising that it's an easy way of distinguishing fakes. So now many are selling their fakes for $20 and $25.

 

Which, considering silver is still over $30 an oz. it is still an easy way of identifying fakes.

 

This seller shows a picture of the edge, clearly showing the casting seam, so you know they realize what it is but don't say so. People are still bidding on it! It boggles the mind that people can throw that kind of money away on something they clearly know nothing about, I mean this one isn't in the least deceptive. 1788 MASSACHUSETTS Cent Colonial Copper Coin 1C | eBay

 

Wow, that is bad...

 

The 1788 was reported to eBay and removed.

 

You saved someone from wasting their money! I wonder how many people there are out there that owe you big time and they don't even know it. Those souvenir shop quality replica Massachusetts cents must be the most common fake going. There is at least one on ebay at bout any given time.

 

I may be mistaken but isn't it considered male fraud to use the US postal service for a counterfeit coin?
Clearly it is fraud.

 

I understand the rules for this sort of thing are changing, but I don't think this is a gender issue.

 

That's what I get for not proofreading my voice to text. Technology is Grand until it isn't

 

Yes, I believe technically it is mail fraud. You would have to prove that they knowingly sold you a counterfeit though. According to USPS:
"Any fraud that uses the U.S. Mail®—whether it originates in the mail, by phone, or online—is mail fraud. It’s a scheme to get money or something of value from you by offering a product, service, or investment opportunity that does not live up to its claims. Prosecutors must prove the claims were intentionally misrepresented and that the mail was used to carry out the scheme."