Ebay alert: Fake silver bars

Discussion in 'Bullion Investing' started by Shwine617, Feb 24, 2013.

  1. Shwine617

    Shwine617 New Member

    Well I purchased 15 Pan American Bars at a reasonable price. Got them in the mail and they are fake.
    The scary thing is that they look real and weigh correct.
    Please be careful! I have been doing this a long time and almost got duped, If I didn't pull one out of the plastic I may not have noticed.
    I suggest any new buyer should get all the necessary testing tools. Scale, file, loupe, acid kit, and a strong magnet.
    I just hope I get my money back, very frustrating!

    2013-02-24_22-41-57_229.jpg 2013-02-24_22-43-51_113.jpg 2013-02-24_22-43-57_537.jpg 2013-02-24_22-45-20_476.jpg 2013-02-24_22-47-26_149.jpg
     
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  3. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    Was the price on these too good to be true?

    And who was the 'evil one' who sold it? If they're selling fakes the community should be informed........
     
  4. Shwine617

    Shwine617 New Member

    they were about $32 per oz shipped to me. I will get the username. A lot of people bought them from this guy, so I am interested to see as to what happens
     
  5. jjack

    jjack Captain Obvious

    Keep in mind a silver bar can pass all those tests and still be fake (thick silver plating over base metal alloy that mimics silver's density). if you buying bars you should stick with reputable dealers.
     
  6. bkozak33

    bkozak33 Collector

  7. Shwine617

    Shwine617 New Member

    I really don't even understand how Ebay even lets people sell fakes, especially ones that aren't marked as "COPY" or "PLATED". It should be a federal crime in my eyes.
     
  8. Shwine617

    Shwine617 New Member

    What are other tests than can be done without cutting something in half? I measure too when I have specs
     
  9. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    Nothing really unless you have the good ability to do a precise sg. This is why today i hate bars. Silver is really easy to fake its sg, then plate. Only real protection s numismatic design in my eyes.
     
  10. jjack

    jjack Captain Obvious

    There is magnetic slide (check youtube for videos) but not sure how well it works on bar or heavily plated items. If you have a lot of money in your hands you can get yourself a portable Ultra Sound device.

    http://www.ge.com/audio_video/ge/innovation/inside_a_gold_bar.html
     
  11. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    Divining stick.......

    Wake up people! Buy from trusted sources........
     
  12. pballer225

    pballer225 Member

    I ended up buying 20 of those fake bars from someone here on CT a few months back, and I've seen several others getting these same bars. You can tell they're fake just by looking at the corners - they're wmuch too square shaped. The dimensions are wrong on these bars, and they are magnetic, but the weight is dead on. These bars aren't just made with the pan american logo, they have other popular bar designs as well, but they're made by the same person/people. Here's a comparison of a genuine and fake bar of mine:

    fakebar2.jpg fakebar.jpg
     
  13. FryDaddyJr

    FryDaddyJr Junior Member

    you can buy silver bars from goldmart for under 30 bucks. why buy off from Ebay for 32??
     
  14. pballer225

    pballer225 Member

    Now I only pick up silver bullion/90% coins if I can hold them in person first. I'm not going to do another coin or bullion purchase over $50 online for a while.
     
  15. pballer225

    pballer225 Member

    I always wondered about goldmart because their prices are so low... are they reputable?
     
  16. Doug21

    Doug21 Coin Hoarder

    90% junk silver eliminates this problem. I've only seen old lead fakes of stuff like SL halves that were made to be passed as 50 cents ages ago when 50 cents was worth like $5 + now.
     
  17. Shwine617

    Shwine617 New Member

    I bought them when silver was at about $32. I do buy from reputable dealers such as Gold Mart quite often. I just don't like the extensive wait times. I have been waiting over a month now for my last order, kind of ridiculous when it's something they have "in stock"
     
  18. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor Supporter

    The balance should have indicated 31.1 grams rather than 31.2 . Since the magnetism seems to be the indicator for you, is their any coating ( such as the blackened lettering, etc.) that could be slightly magnetic and representing the extra .1 gram? You mentioned a strong magnet, but didn't say if your reaction was a strong one on the bar or barely.

    And yes, confidence in a known intermediary is very important.
     
  19. FryDaddyJr

    FryDaddyJr Junior Member


    no problems so far.
     
  20. Shwine617

    Shwine617 New Member

    The magnetism was strong, the bar is hanging from the magnet
     
  21. easj3699

    easj3699 Well-Known Member

    i read this last night and made a phone call to my father that has a little bullion shop just so he knew about it. ironically enough today he had some NWTM silver rounds come into his shop, none were magnetic but they weighed from 30 to 32 grams and he said they just didnt have the right look. so he told the customer sorry he wasn't interested. after the guy left he realized the guy didnt park in front of his shop where there was parking but on the far side of the parking lot. were they real? were the fake? who knows but better off not buying when in doubt.
     
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