Misleading pictures?

There's got to be some tension, though, between overselling and underselling the coin.

My natural tendency is to take analytical photos, trying to bring out every little hit or discoloration on a coin. That probably wouldn't serve me well when it comes time to sell -- I wouldn't have disappointed buyers, but I'd probably have no buyers at all.

 

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The 1880-S was described by one writer as "the role model for all Morgans."

 

Photographic light manipulation!!! Caveat emptor

 

every listing of his is a "monster under grade", that's enough for me to avoid.

Another guy I've seen several listings for always puts "MS64 should be MS65!" in title. Not sure how ebay allows titles like that

 

eBay does not allow using MS6x in title unless it was slabbed by ANACS, ICG, NGC or PCGS

 

yeah I know that, that's why I'm surprised they allow "should be..." in the titles. This guy puts the official grade in title then adds in his opinion that it should be higher. It's the same as listing an ungraded coin as "should be MS__" IMO

to be fair to this particular seller tho, I bought one of his "MS65 should be MS66" coins because it went for well under MS65 book and it turns out it's an absolutely beautiful coin and may actually be undergraded comparing it to my other 66's lol

 

For starters, he's using two different types of lights, one "vertically" and the other "horizontally", at least on the obv, instead of properly lighting the coin. A quick scan through his other listings shows this, ahem, technique fairly common for him. It's utter garbage.

 

It's kind of funny to see his handwriting on the flips. MS64++++++++++++++ dang didn't know grades went that high

 

It's so the uninformed don't get it the first time........

 

This guy has no clue when it comes to lighting techniques. That said, I don't believe he is trying to fool people, he is just too lazy to take proper photos.

 

I went to the seller's feedback and there was a recent, negative feedback. It was for a coin sold with the following description: "Morgan Silver Dollar 1881 S Ch Gem Bu High Grade Satin MS+++++++++ PL Rev PQ Gem."

Apparently the buyer was not happy when the coin arrived. The feedback on this transaction was negative; the comment said, "FALSE LIGHTING BE CAREFUL." The seller replied, "Coin photographed by professional photographers under Daylight Exactly As Shown."

My take on this issue is simple: the seller being reviewed in this thread is misleading buyers, in my opinion. I base my opinion on the fact that, as a seller, I know what a coin looks like in hand; if my picture does not look like the coin in hand, it is misleading, unless I clarify the difference in the description or comments.

 

He doesn't image in daylight; in fact, he uses two different color temperatures to light his coins. It's plain in his images. One tungsten, one fluorescent, I think.

 

His feedback numbers tell it all. Look at how the first one is so much lower.

Item as described 1142
Communication 1236
Shipping time 1257
Shipping and handling charges 1267

 

Rule number two on EBay: don't buy from any that says "large estate sale"

 

I think he does have a clue and therefore was able to sell a common generic coin for 50 percent over retail. It's the buyer who doesn't have a clue. That kind of juice doesn't come about by accident.

 

I think those pictures are a lot more than just incompetent photography.

 

He knows what he's doing