Coin Doctoring

The rim on that 1914-D looks way too high IMO.

 

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This one screams fake.

Look at the alignment of the letters in LIBERTY. They should be on an even line, bottom and top but they're all over the place. The top of the L is too high, the bottom of the B is too low. The tops of the T and Y are low.

The area around the date and mint mark has been worked on.

 

You're right David.
I was so busy scrutinizing the date and mint mark, I didn't even look at that area!

 

The seller of this item has been the subject of posts on the Coin Forgery eBay group on a number of occasions. On several occasions, it was the opinion of me and others that he purchased key-date Lincolns and re-engraved the wheat ear lines, smoothed out marks,altered the surfaces, and recolored them for later sale at large profit. If this coin is a forgery, it would be the first one (to my knowledge) he has put up for auction.

In fact, I believe he purchased this coin here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140295572962
and then improved it for sale. note corresponding mark on the O of ONE.

 

You're right. One and the same, good detective work! Same contact marks which are a good fingerprint. Now there's two I know of pulling this scam on eBay. Any other's anyone knows of?

 

I notice this seller uses the 'private auction' listing format only on coins he sells, not on anything else he lists. I wonder if that's so an unsuspecting buyer can't be informed of a bogus purchase?

 

I think that's a safe assumption.

 

Seriouscoins from eBay cleaned on this re-tool: $2,550 for a coin bought for $1,900. Not bad for a couple hours work. Despicable.

1916-D Mercury Dime Rare Key Very Fine Details! 1916D - eBay (item 110349765305 end time Feb-17-09 184500 PST)

 

That seller looks interesting, Charles. After a 7 year selling hiatus, they came back and right off the bat, start selling some pretty serious coins. Some of the items sold look authentic (GSA Morgans) but those 1932 Washingtons sure look suspicious. :whistle:

I don't know Washingtons, so someone else will need to look at them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140295578874

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140295578302

Ribbit

 

Check out this artificially toned Peace Dollar:


1934 Peace dollar monster toning no reserve 3 day - eBay (item 260364280468 end time Feb-20-09 194308 PST)

 

How do you know it's artificially-toned (dare I ask)?

 

This is becomming a bash Ebay in general thread, lol.

 

Ebay deserves it!

I figure most rainbow toned coins are somehow artificially toned but that's why I don't put a premium on them. :whistle: Sure, they're pretty now but give them another 20 years and they will probably be ugly so I'll stick with my old ugly coppers, since they won't disappoint me.

Ribbit