This is the third one of these I've seen this year. Note the funny looking date and the broken wheat ear on the lower right hand reverse, and beware. I wrote the seller. Hopefully he'll take it down. Here's the eBay item number so you can educate yourself: 111560235069.
I believe I'm speaking for the silent majority viewing in this venue when I thank you for your selfless correct manner of addressing what you believe to be an injustice to the coin collecting community. Your post is concise, describing the item found offensive, the perceived error, directly contacting the "suspect", and publishing a prominent notice to the collecting community at large. Unlike others I've noticed who will spend great effort to whine and manipulate, while avoiding your direct informative seemingly productive solution. Many Kudos from an appreciative humbled observer who will be a future client of yours, based on respect for what is believed to be a defensible proper action plan. You are an asset to our community, and I hope others will join me in enabling your future success. JMHO
Thanks. I bought one of these years ago and was able to get my money back, thankfully. The planchets are also slightly thinner than a flying eagle should be, but every one I have seen appears AU without luster. Just wanted to help everyone learn what to watch out for.
The forgers spent a lot less effort on the rev. which is pretty crude. Thanks for posting this as it is a fairly dangerous fake that would fool a lot of people. Also the lettering has that rounded, lumpy look often seen on transfer die forgeries. Here's mine for comparison.
Well, he's ignoring my email and he lowered his price on it to try and get rid of it quickly. I think it's time to report it as a fake. I did my part. Would you do yours? Thanks.
I echo these comments! For those of us that do not have the time to peruse eBay, Proxibid and other auction sites, C-B-D and other members' scrutiny of these Not Genuine offerings can be of great help to avoid the Sellers that peddle them.
In reviewing the auction, I didn't observe any record of a message being forwarded to the seller of the "linked" auction coin posted in this thread. I trust the information posted in this thread is accurate, and have advanced a secondary message to the seller (who wasn't identified in the thread). This "follow-up" message has been sent, and we'll see if eBay displays same in the auction: "I believe you've been informed by a trusted reliable source that this coin isn't authentic, asking for a response. Is it necessary for us to purchase this coin, initiate an "action" to receive a response or facilitate its removal?" Time will determine future efforts. JMHO
Ok I finally heard from the seller, thanks to Rich. He took it down and thanked me. Told me he would try to get his money back and that he had bought it on eBay. I sent him this helpful link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=9126
Since I acted as the conduit for removal of the "suspected" copy, as others have asked of CoinTalk, without reliable proof of non-authenticity, I received a differing response from the seller. The seller response requested reliable proof that the coin isn't authentic. This response could be anticipated if a seller had their auction removed, or was forced/coerced into an "action" deemed unpalatable by the seller. I knew that the immediate liability upon sending my e-mail was the cost of purchasing the coin, and expenses associated with the coin listing. Further potential liability would be that of submission to TPGs, only to receive a response of "questionable authenticity". Further potential liability is that of a litigious action, where a lay-jury could not be absolutely convinced of a fraudulent action. The jury could return a favorable verdict for the seller with punitive damages. I believe this is the possible "Pandoras Box" scenario that is to be avoided when stating that an item isn't authentic. I will ask the seller for a direct e-mail address to forward this thread (that often can't/won't be forwarded through eBay messaging) which precipitated the auction deletion process. I also believe that eBay has not allowed e-mail address transmissions without a court subpoena. To Be Continued!! Rich
