I bought this coin in an eBay auction the other day. The price (which I won't mention yet) seemed like a steal. Such a steal, in fact, that I now wonder why the bidding didn't go higher. What do you think? Any issues with this coin - or the seller? Thanks.
More so with the seller's photos. GSC is known for images that 'hide' defects in a coin. When you get the coin, it won't look like the pic, but if you really look closely at the pic, the faults you find in the coin in-hand you will then be able to see in the images. That coin also looks like it has an oily sheen, which would not be natural. The good thing is, I may be wrong. Even better, if I'm right, they have a 'no questions return policy', but I've read in some cases it takes a while to get the refund. Personally, the only coins I would buy from GSC (and have bought) are slabbed coins.
It is well known that this company sells detailed coins. Their images on ebay are for the most part far from what you recieve in hand. Some here will defend this company as you'll find quite a few threads on this topic. Most will tell you buyer beware as more will tell you bad reviews then good experiences.
IIRC, there is an entire thread on GSC's images, and how they compared to the coin in-hand. Like I said before, the only coins I would buy from them are slabbed by PCGS/NGC/ANACS. If you look at their offerings of slabbed coins, you'll see the images tend to be on the more 'mundane' side, as there is no need to show the coin to be better then it is - the grade on the slab is the grade, and a better photo won't make you think it's better then it is.
They take returns so you don't get stuck with a coin you don't like. That's good but they could do a better job of showing images that show what the coin actually looks like. I hate having to return a coin.
I have bought from them. They do post great images. Generally speaking the coin doesn't live up to the photo.
Good feedback. Thanks. I look forward to seeing the actual coin (which will be awhile since I'm in New Zealand and it's still in the US waiting to be carried over by the Christmas visitors...).
With those shipping costs I would look for other sellers and/or graded ones. You're less likely to want to return the graded ones than the raw ones with very flattering pics
I’m not fussed by the $3.25 shipping cost. $15 to mail directly to NZ would have been too much - thus the roundabout delivery method...
There's no point in grading from their pics, it may or may not be an accurate representation or hiding something
Hmm... of course the pics were all I had to go on when deciding to make the purchase. I have often wondered about GSC's dark pictures and, frankly, I'm not terribly surprised that those pictures are seen as suspect by many. The feedback and insight here has been great. With reference to your earlier post, I'm generally not interested in buying slabbed coins. That's not where you find the bargains - especially not on-line (which is pretty much my only option). I've been looking for a '46 Tall Date and this coin presented itself. I paid $48.77. I reckon there is room in that price for the coin to be something less than it appears.
