Further information from the seller. I had commented to him that several reference books do not list his coin, and also asked why he chose ebay as a selling venue. He did not respond to my query about how he happened to come into possession of the coin. "With all due respect. The coin IS a UNIQUE coin certified and authenticated by NGC. The NGC holder and the NGC pop report identify the coin as a SPECIMEN PROOF. It was originally in a MS holder, but the coin was reholdered as NOTED EXPERTS authenticated it as the ONLY Proof coin ever minted of that date and mint mark. It is truly a trophy coin. Since million dollar items have sold on Ebay, I figured I would give Ebay a try. If you are SERIOUS about buying the coin, let's chat further. I am hear to answer your questions and assure you the coin is REAL. I do not know who you spoke to or consulted, but this coin was viewed by one of the top numismatic experts in America who confirmed its status as PROOF besides the NGC grade which should speak for itself. Warmly, David" The way he presented it on ebay does seem odd but I'm sure that any valid buyer would travel to the location of the coin for an in-person transaction.
So, if he has it, and if it's real, he must be using eBay in the hopes of initiating contact and making an off-eBay sale, imo.
C'mon 900 , we all know you're really Bill Gates , just buy it with your pocket change . rzage:kewl::whistle::hail:
What "genius" says this coin doesn't exist Hello everyone, I am David, the seller of this coin on Ebay. What "genius" wrote Ebay and said this coin isn't real??? The 1854 O Specimen Proof Half Dollar is REAL and UNIQUE. Just check the NGC population report. It may not be listed in reference material, but that is what makes this coin so special. NGC graded it SP 63 - - that is a SPECIMEN PROOF, and it is listed in the NGC PROOF SECTION of the pop report. At one point in its life, NGC only graded this piece MS-63, but NGC the leading grading service in America reholded it to reflect the correct attibution. I am amazed at the ignorance of some of the posters to this forum. Anyone wishing to buy this coin can come pick it up in person. We can exchange certified funds for this certified coin. Some posters in this thread actually took the time to confirm the coin is an NGC pop one coin and is listed as described - - the ONLY 1854 O Proof Half Dollar certified in ANY GRADE. Serious buyers can request photos. The one poster who did request a photo and posted it herein questions whether the obverse and reverse are the same coin. Wow! I guess he will never make it as an NGC grader. I apologize for sounding like a flamer, but come on!! People get your facts correct before you insinuate someone is a crook! David
I am the one who communicated with you requesting information on this coin. I may have been a bit snide in my statement about whether you did, in fact, send actual photos of the coin but your relatively secretive offering wasn't exactly forthcoming regarding what you had. For a coin of this rarity and value, ebay isn't the expected venue for selling. I even doubt that those with the wherewithal to purchase a coin like this even waste time looking at ebay. I did ask you for the provenance of the coin but you chose not to respond. In the end, it may be none of my concern where you got it, but the lineage of such a piece would go a long way toward proving authenticity. Not that I am in any position to even think of buying it, but my interest would come to a crashing halt if you were to say, for instance, that you found it in a trunk in your recently deceased grandfather's attic. Your method of sale pretty much left it up to the buyer to do the legwork of determining what was being sold. I simply feel that you, as the seller, should have been more totally up front with what you were offering.
Well said David! :thumb: Considering the fraud on Ebay, sellers of bonafide articles need to do a better job of listing rare items such as this and I agree 100% with what you said! Ribbit
David, If you think that this item being questioned is in any way out of line, I strongly suggest that you take a closer look at your listing. We have a (0) feedback seller on eBay, with a very simple and terse description of the coin. I wouldn't send you $400,000 either, I wouldnt buy scrap silver based on your description. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are not familiar with eBay. First, you need pictures. Lots of pictures and good ones at that. Second, you need a good description. On a piece like this where I would assume you have a small but highly astute market, you need to list the provenance of the coin. Scans of the entire slab as well, if it was purchased at auction, say that, if ti came from a dealer, say that too. If you got it in a bag of scrap silver, say that as well. Regardless, you need to give people reasons to do business with you. Then we have the "You have no feedback showing a history of selling high dollar coins on eBay so people think you are that Valduz scammer guy" factor. I would put in the listing that you are willing to meet any buyer in person at your bank to consummate the sale or that you will use a 3rd party Escrow firm or something to that effect. An Escrow firm will charge you about 1% Here's a $2 bill that apparently just sold for $500,000: http://cgi.ebay.com/AMERICAS-FIRST-...3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:4|65:3|39:1|240:1309 So it seems that you can sell a coin like this on eBay if you are lucky. In reality, that note sold because it was sold by a known seller and it had a lot of pictures and it was fully disclosed. Now, which ad would get you to part with the thick end of a half a million dollars? The $2 Bill one or yours? Bill
Thank you for your construstive comments. The 1854 O has been upgraded by NGC so I am not honestly wanting to tout its lineage or pedigree. Also, my attorney woudl serve as escrow agent for a nominal fee and in future postings willl make that clear per your advice. Warmly, David
billionaire, Have you considered Heritage auctions as a venue for selling? They have a strong reputation and probably draw the largest crowd of folks who may be interested in your coin. http://coins.ha.com/default.php?ic=task-coins
What? Was that a legal threat? It may be that you have no intention of sell an exclusive product like this on ebay but just flushing out serious buyers, but there is nothing in your advert on ebay to make any knowledgeable coin collector think, if not know, that its a scam. Frankly, I don't care what the NGC report says if the coin isn't in the original slab and if there aren't photos. You'd have to be an idiot to buy such a coin, if real, without seeing it in the hand with a professional near by to confirm the slab itself is not counterfeit. I appreciate you come on the board and openly discussing this! It helps to expose your business and sale in a very good way, assuming the coin is authentic. In any event, for the asking price, I'd fly it too NGC myself to get it slabbed before investing in it and also I'd get other professionals involved in order to make sure I could insure it. However, so far I no evidence that this coin is yet real. Ruben
Oh - one more thing. Pedigree is absolutely essential to establish prior to buying such a coin as this and any legit auction house is going to be very serious about getting to the bottom of it. Ruben
The coin is in a NEW NGC slab with the Specimen Proof Grade -- You do not care what the pop reports says????? If it is in the pop report you know one thing - - the coin exists. And, you should also check out the definition of "attorney escrow agent." THAT IS NOT A LEGAL THREAT re your post - - that is a way for a buyer to ensure he will get what he paid for, because a reputable large law firms acts as an escrow agent, holding the coin and the payment and exchanging same after the coins authenticity is confirmed and of course the payment is confirmed as good funds. As I HONESTLY stated the coin WAS in an NGC holder graded MS-63, but is NOW in an NGC holder with the SPECIMEN PROOF [SP] grade of 63 and the NGC pop report in the PROOF SECTION lists this as the ONLY 1854 O graded Specimen Proof in ANY GRADE. NGC would NOT put it in thier report if the coin wasn't for real. Warmly, David
Well I don't care what it says because it doesn't prove your coin is that coin, but being reslabbed is a must definite step which you cleared. Good - not to much legal chat used 'round here. I was taken aback by it. If its in the slab its a great thing and you've done a lot to clarify the situation. Do you have pics? Ruben
There are photos on this chat board which I sent to a member. Are you from Brooklyn? That is my home town.
I'm the CEO of Brooklyn... I authored www.brooklynonline.com for about 8 years which ended in 2006. I still have likely the largest collection of Brooklyn Photo's and movies on the net. Ruben
With all due respect to both Billionaire and NGC, IMO there is no such thing as an o-mint proof half dollar. Don't believe me? Show me a single shred of evidence (other than the NGC holder) that suggests that the New Orleans mint minted any 1854 half dollars for sale to collectors or for special presentation, and I will eat my words. IMO, this coin is just partuclarly attractive prooflike example from freshly polished dies misattributed by NGC. Lastly, like others, I think the best mechanism for selling this coin would be Heritage or one of the larger auction houses. To expect to sell this coin on eBay (much less without photos from a seller with 0 feedback, attorney escrow or not) is wishful thinking -- but you'll never know unless you try. Respectfully....Mike
