Why Do Sellers on eBay Conceal Serial Numbers?

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by princeofwaldo, Jan 23, 2021.

  1. princeofwaldo

    princeofwaldo Grateful To Be eX-I/T!

    I've noticed a number of sellers on eBay recently who post certified coins with the slab serial number concealed. What legitimate reason would a seller have for doing this?

    The only reason I can think of for why they would want to do this:
    A.) The coin and holder are both Chinese counterfeits.
    B.) The the coin including the holder is stolen property.
    C.) The photographs in the auction have been digitally altered to deceive.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Egypt-Gold-1922-NGC-MS60-500-PIASTRES-KING-FUAD/203247631199
     
    Inspector43 likes this.
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  3. NOS

    NOS Former Coin Hoarder

    The seller cites "security issues" for withholding the certification number. This is done on all of the seller's NGC auctions. Perhaps the seller is concerned their specific location can be identified from them? Also rather peculiar is the seller freely reveals the certification numbers for the PCGS coins but doesn't show them in their holders.

    The seller also states, "I would grade it MS 61 or better, shipping is free with reg mail." Does this mean "regular" mail as in First Class? That seems to be the case from reviewing the shipping and payment details. A $5,000 coin and "reg mail"? The seller is so concerned about security but doesn't plan to send it registered with full insurance?
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2021
  4. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    I know some conceal serial numbers so they can't be stolen and used in falsified Registry sets. Not sure if that's what this seller is doing, but I've heard that as a reason.
     
    serafino and Kentucky like this.
  5. KBBPLL

    KBBPLL Well-Known Member

    Makes me wonder why a seller would care if somebody used it for a fake registry set. Seems like you could just go to Heritage or GC etc and grab all you want.

    It's odd that they only do it for NGC and their PCGS listings are only TrueView images and no slabs.
     
    Mister T and princeofwaldo like this.
  6. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    I would assume "reg mail" means Registered Mail, particularly since it makes insurance so much cheaper for high-value items.
     
  7. NOS

    NOS Former Coin Hoarder

    I wish I could say I assumed this as well but in some of the seller's lower-value auctions it is stated, "Shipped with USPS First Class."

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/OTTOMAN-EM...55-15-Gold-50-Qirsh-PCGS-Top-Pop/203251880027

    A $500 coin and sent First Class...

    In fact, the seller has quite awful feedback as a seller. It's just that eBay presents the seller's feedback as "100%" as it bases this off of auctions from the last 12 months. It turns out the user has had one transaction as the seller within the last year that was positive so they get a free pass or reset in the initial appearance of their feedback.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2021
  8. gmarguli

    gmarguli Slightly Evil™

    Because you have an upset customer and it takes time to deal with PCGS/NGC to get the issue resolved.

    I've had several cert numbers stolen off eBay and registered in sets. These were coins I slabbed, so I know they were not previously owned by anyone else.
     
    Seattlite86 likes this.
  9. KBBPLL

    KBBPLL Well-Known Member

    Well, I still don't get it. I can understand the concern from your standpoint, but like I said somebody faking a registry set can easily go to Heritage and find a better coin to pretend with.

    I asked the seller and they responded with "Only paid buyers will get certificate number for NGC slabs". Which also doesn't make any sense to me. A "paid buyer" is going to get the coin in the slab anyway, so giving them the cert# after the sale is pointless, but a shopper can't look up the coin to make sure it's legit.
     
    NOS likes this.
  10. potty dollar 1878

    potty dollar 1878 Well-Known Member

    Hmm intreasting I have never seen this before on ebay but I wouldn't buy a coin like this I always check the authentication of the coin by verifying the number and comparing the details I would not buy from this seller seems suspicious
     
    Quintus Arrius and NOS like this.
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