My curiosity got the better of me. I ordered some notes from a seller based in China. The listing insisted FOUR times that they don't sell copies, but... That was the customs label. OK, sure, sometimes dealers fudge the inventory. That's common. Here's one of the notes, on bottom in this pic. The one on top is genuine from a similar series the month before: These aren't spectacularly rare or valuable notes. They're not especially in high demand or even all that well known. But that is a counterfeit on bottom. Notice the mushy text? The flatness of the ink and how the serial is the same as the rest of the printing? The quality of the paper and more give it away too. Outside of Asian sellers on eBay who each mysteriously have multiple 100 note lots of exactly this item, I am not familiar with the type having a red seal (usually it's embossed) or these particular colors.. but I could be wrong on that. Maybe I'm entirely wrong and an unreleased horde of notes was secreted away in Hong Kong and Seoul and this is genuine. But I doubt it. Just thought the customs label was a cherry on top. The seller, btw, has THOUSANDS of items listed from around the world. Most with bulk lots available and nothing that's not crisp UNC. Imagine that.
Sorry. Guess it's live and learn. From what I've read on this and other coin related sites, I'll never buy anything related to our hobby from China or Eastern Europe.
Oh definitely! I wanted to see them in person. It's the customs note that gave me a chuckle. I wonder if the "made in China" bit is more intended for the Chinese postal service, though? Does anyone know if there is a preferential postage rate for Chinese made goods being exported?
The seller probably does not want to put collectible or currency on the customs label. That would draw unwanted attention. Usually, they just say documents. The seal is not the proper seal for this note. The seal is for the Reichsbank. The issuing authority for this note is the Reichsbahn.
