I dare say this company has been featured before but I couldn't find a post. I have just read a book about a particular shipwreck and the coins recovered and wanted to find an example. A google search led me to this outfit where they had an example at a really great price. I considered buying it but when they advertised free shipping to the UK for an obviously underpriced coin I realised it was a scam. On searching deeper, it looks as if this outfit uses fake advertisements and other sites images to steal data. It took me about two minutes to realise that if it is too good to be true it usually isn't but I thought I would make a post to alert others who may be taken in. They feature prominently on Google, and have a great website, but from my research the address has been hijacked from a bona fide coin dealer. This is the coin I was looking at. Ex-Lutine with original 1938 box and COA delivered to the UK by Fedex for $200! If you were really stupid, they also list the identical coin for $255 if you wanted to be conned more enthusiastically!
My buying habits have really changed over the years. I have to see the coin in person before paying anything or the dealer has to be someone I know really well and trust. Trust is the main thing. My favorite dealer of all times made it easy for me. I never ask for this but he would send me a coin I ask about on an open invoice. He showed his trust in me first. I could send him a check or return the coin. I never had to return a coin. A few years back I sent all the coins I had bought from this dealer (50 to 60 coins) to CAC for the bean. Over 80 something % received the green or gold.
I'm not finding any company with that name. How about a link to their website or a listing? In my casual observation it seems like a lot of scammers operate out of Florida for some reason.
Their address is the same as Gables Coin & Stamp Shop. That seems off. I messaged the latter and asked if they are also operating as Ancient Rare Coins, Inc. We'll see. Edit: Completely different websites, totally different inventory. I smell a rat.
I wonder if Ancient Rare Coins may have swiped the street address. If they do business only online, they don’t need to have a valid street address on their website. Gables Coin & Stamp Shop looks legit. Owner claims to be lifetime member of ANA. Friendly website with lots of pics of the store, inside and out. Other buyer beware signs on the Ancient Rare Coins website: 1. Nowhere is a live person mentioned … not under “Contact” or “About Us”. 2. Strange phone number: +177228228195. Maybe a typo. 3. “Payment Methods” at bottom of home page and several others is a dead link. I imagine if you go through the checkout process, valid payment methods will appear. Cal
I only deal with reputable companies that I’m familiar with. Never had an issue that wasn’t resolved to my satisfaction.
They focus on rarities which trends towards those willing to spend a lot. If you look for a Vespasian Aureus in amazing condition you will find one.
Valid point @Collecting Nut but if you are an entry level collector or looking for a particular rarity you may take a risk. What’s reputable ? We’ve all seen major corporate websites with one dot missing that are scammers. I’ve had a FedEx email this week soliciting my “safe place” delivery that wasn’t FedEx. Best we all keep alert and post such issues .
There is a reddit thread about this place, with the following comment. "I called the shop at the listed address, and they confirmed they have never heard of this site." I have my answer. Stay far away.
