Another fake?

Bidding update:

 

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Check out the 3 separate listings (Lots 19bb, 48bb, and 71aa) for 1926 Oregon Trail Commemorative Dollars. So obvious that they're cast metal and fake (and the low bids, thus far, seem to recognize the high possibility that they're fake). Images below of Lot 19bb, obverse and reverse.

 

Not familiar with those coins, so didn't check them out. I figured there were more.

 

I am so totally gun shy of purchasing raw Indian Head cents in online auctions, as I've been stuck with several counterfeits. For me, those have been the toughest to decipher whether they're counterfeit based on auction photos -- many of those counterfeits look so much like the real deal. Slightly abnormal numerical digits in the dates, and slight "bumps" indicating possible cast manufacture, are the only real gauge I've been able to use, assuming the photos are clear enough to do such an inspection. The next toughest coin type in trying to determine authenticity for me, based on photos, has been raw Mercury dimes. I have a collection of counterfeit coins I have accumulated over time. I like to complete Dansco albums, so I tend to look for decent raw coins for the albums.

 

All the counterfeit material offered for sale in this hobby has to have a negative impact on collectors. And it doesn't seem like the authorities even give a rat's ass about it. Complaints about counterfeit items seem to fall on deaf ears, and there seems to be absolutely no consequences or accountability regarding the offending party(ies).

 

There have been some splashy arrests and sentences, like this one. Not nearly enough though. This guy's big mistake was impersonating an ATF officer, which probably got more attention. https://www.greysheet.com/news/story/counterfeit-coins-importer-sentenced-to-over-10-years-in-prison

 

Might be more accurate to say they are devoting their limited resources to attacking wholesale fraud at the expense of allowing a lot of retail fraud to occur.

 

When you contacted HiBid, did you let them know that under the law by aiding in the sale of the unmarked fakes that THEY are committing a crime as well?

 

Yes, I just shook my head. They must have an out somehow.

 

Just lack of enforcement.

 

2 fakes down, 3 to go

 

People selling this crap should be tarred and feathered after being horsewhipped.

 

It's a shame he's not distributing counterfeit currency. Maybe then the authorities would take some interest in what he's doing.

 

Not even then, John.

A few years back we had a preso from a local PD Detective on counterfeit currency.

He brought samples they had recovered. Amazingly bad examples like single sided & printed on an ink jet printer...

He told us that most of the time, prosecution of small scale bill passing was declined by the AUSA (Assistant US Attorney) and left up to the city.

 

I guess the counterfeiting laws are treated like the shop lifting laws in San Francisco. If you steal less than $1,000, it's okay.

 

I don't like it, but I do understand it. Resources are scarce and have to be applied where they do the most good.

If the city arrests you, tries you, convicts you, and sentences you to 30 days in the county lockup... they've spent $10,000 on a $20 fraud.

Even if they get you to roll on the guy who sold you 5 fake 20s for $2 , it doesn't put a dent in the crime. They have to get up the chain to the guy who's flooding the county with 10,000 fake bills a week.

Even then if they arrest him, some other cockroach will show up before he's been convicted and take over the business.

 

I just called Hi-Bid to ask how to be removed from their mailing list. Gave them the reason why I am asking. I couldn't find a tab to contact them. I doubt I will hear back.

Steve

 

If you click sign up for email, there's an unsubscribe link.

 

Easy solution, as is done in other western style countries, in legal matters, the loser pays the legal expenses of the prevailing party. There's a novel idea. Maybe this concept should be implemented in our judicial system as well. Maybe harsher punishment might also deter future crime, another novel idea.