[ancient] I think I discovered a forgery on vcoins

This coin is sold by Moneta (vcoins). I read an article about Bulgarian forgeries and this coin fits the mark mainly because of the non-raised quadripartite squares on the reverse incuse opposite the lizard/ AE.
http://oldestcoins.reidgold.com/cherronesos_bulgaria.html

 

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Your probably right, VC isnt perfect but I like it better then ebay.

 

Hmm, looks like you may be correct. I'm sure Moneta would appreciate the heads-up, if others here agree.

 

I think you're dead on about the squares, the style of the lion also appears to match that of the forgeries on the link you posted.

 

The style of the lion is off too.

 

I emailed Moneta with a copy of the above URL

 

Anyone can make mistakes but the evidence here is pretty obvious. The question now is how the email is handled. I notice part of the write up mentions that the producers no longer are selling this model and have moved on to other things. We have to wonder just how many of these are out there waiting for a secondary market sale and how many will be filtered out by the next professional who handles that collection.

If the coin were real, would you pay the $165 asked? There is no immorality asking full prices but that needs to go along with a level of expertise I do not have and none of us here have. What should we expect from a dealer asking full service rates?
http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?search=similar:712609#0

 

I doesn't take much expertise to spot the completely phony style of the OP coin. Nothing about it looks right. But yes, I would be much more comfortable buying one of these ubiquitous little coins from GN, or CNG, or FORVM.

 

Ironically enough, the coin at the top of the article that they state as authentic is the exact same coin I purchased from Zack Beasley (and my avatar). That's the main reason that article caught my eye to begin with.

 

As a general rule, I would suggest following the steps below when having suspicions on a VCoin listing:

1. Ask the dealer. Send links both to his coin and to any supporting evidence that explains why you suspect the coin. If the coin just makes you feel funny and you are not a specialist in the matter, I suspect you will not be correct a percentage of the time. Don't start witch hunts but do report situations like the one here where you are certain.

2. If you get no satisfactory reply or if you have found a number of 'bad' coins in the stock of one dealer (for example if a dealer has several lots that match the known name brand (Slavei, Toronto etc.), report the matter to Barry Murphy
bpmurphy@vcoins.com
being sure to provide the link to the coin as listed on vcoins (most important) and any supporting images. This is only for coins actually listed on vcoins (don't bother him with things sold on eBay unless the seller is a vcoins dealer). Vcoins went through a hard spell after it was sold a few years back but more recently Barry has stepped in to return it to its former position of respect. He does care and he is capable. Still, there are vcoin dealers who know less than others and it is not surprising if there are a few errors that slip in. I have been less than fully satisfied with some decisions regarding coins that have been repatinated and not listed as such but when talking about absolute fakes, I believe vcoins means well.

 

I haven't received a response, but the coin in question has been removed from their list of coins, so I guess they took care of the issue promptly.

 

or they sold it. Have you checked the dealers sold items.?

 

Nah its not been sold

 

Got me worried for a while this thread as i have bought 4 recently of this coin type. They all have the 2 raised sections on the reverse though, so I am reasonably happy.

 

Raised sections or no, the coin just looks all wrong. The lion, lizard and monogram just ain't right!

 

I am talking about my coins, not the OP coin, which looks obviously wrong to me too.

 

I know what you meant YOC. I just wanted to add my two cents about the OP coin. I think I remember your coins, and I don't remember any obvious problems like the OP coin.

 

Man, the ever-possible hazard of snaggin' fake-coins really is the major downside of this fine hobbie of ours, eh?

=> and although I always try to whiz my potential purchases by a few (one especially) of you dudes, buying a fake really is the scary-side of collecting coins and/or anything ...

Oh well => thanks for your help, brothers (and 2 x sisters)

=> and although, it could all be a huge, creepy conspiracy to get all of my cash, I feel way better talking with you dudes about my purchases!!

I owe you dudes a few drinks ...

Cheers, comrades

 

Conspiracy??? No, no , no. Shhhh. Don't tell him........

 

Moneta would never sell a coin that someone has called into question its authenticity. He actually has a pretty extensive blackbox. However, he carries material from around the world from every era, so I guess this one got past him. He is actually very knowledgable. He is originally from St Cloud but spends half his time in Az, but I have met and talked and bought from him a couple of dozen times at least. He is a good dealer that I believe just missed one.