eBay rip of the month? 1920-S Walker...

+1. I thought the exact same thing the moment I saw the photos. These chinese counterfeits almost always have those PL qualities in the fields, just as this coin has. But, like previously stated, It could just be a VERY, VERY weak strike (but it's highly unlikely). I wouldn't get my hopes up just quite yet. I recommend you have it certified by a lower-end TPG service so you do not overpay too much for the tier fees for a possible fake. Good luck!

-Brian

EDIT: Also, whoever you originally purchased the coin from on Ebay, I recommend that you keep that seller saved in a list and take down his/her information just in case the coin does turn out to be counterfeit. You should be able to be refunded your money in a situation like this even without a return policy listed in the original auction.

 

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...aaand I'm afraid we have a winner. BR549, can you post or PM me a link to the site where you found those images? I'd like to have it on hand in case eBay wants supporting evidence.

If that marker on the date is a known diagnostic, I think there can be no doubt at all. I don't see it in any of the (presumably) legit 1920-S images I've found online. But it's far from the only marker:



BR549, I owe you one TPG slabbing fee, and a beer.

 

PM sent

Not a problem, this is just one of the reasons how a community chat board is utilized to its fullest.

Good luck

 

Wow...nice catch....I learned something...thank you.

 

The seller's dragging his feet on a refund -- "you said you liked the coin, you left positive feedback, what's the problem?" Now he wants to talk partial refund. I'm inclined to insist on a full refund, or just go ahead and open a Buyer Protection case -- I don't want him to think he can get away with selling fakes -- but this WOULD be a REALLY good coin to keep as an example. (Which would also guarantee he wouldn't try to pass it off to someone else.) What to do, what to do...

 

Have it stamped copy, return it for a full refund. If he refuses to issue a refund, open a case.

 

Once a seller mentions 'partial refund', I think a case should be opened right away, considering it's a counterfeit.

 

If he didnt know it was a counterfeit, and was a decent dealer, there would be no hesitation on his part. To me the hemming and hawing means he knew it was fake. Just my opinion.

And thank you for this post. I know it sucks, but I learned from it.

VAcookey just made a good point. OK, so we know how to spot 1920s now. What about 21 or 22 etc? Do we know just what years they have done?

And who is this seller? Want to stay away from him.

 

Hey, I wouldn't accept a return stamped "copy" if the coin I shipped wasn't stamped.

 

Solid AU50 imo. Coin has a lot of luster left over, and was probably properly dipped and rinsed. IMO this coin was a good candidate for the dip, and clearly benefited positively from it.


should have read the whole thread first. DA*& chinese are getting good.
<------foot in mouth.

 

You know, it would almost be worth $50 to keep this, buy one of those do-it-yourself slabs, and grade it BS-50... :devil:

 

And a 100% feedback rating!

 

Not quite 100% feedback -- check him out on toolhaus. Not many negs, but some are incriminating.

I'm becoming more convinced of his fundamental honesty, though. I mean, check out this 1913 quater. Pay extra-close attention to the field at the bottom of the wreath. You know, where an S would appear if someone were selling an obviously fraudulent coin.

There's always plenty of time for hindsight, isn't there?

 

Well, I said he could give me a full refund or we could take it up with eBay, and his reply was "Do what you want, I have all your emails on how you loved the coin and will buy all I have plus positive feedback." (Yeah, I did say I loved the coin and would love to buy more -- when I thought it was legit.)

So the case is open. We'll see what happens, but I think he's in for a rude surprise about the Buyer Protection system.

I see that he got a neutral FB for selling a fake 22 no-D cent, and another of his sales for a high-rarity coin got a feedback stating "Stands behind what he sells", which sounds like code for "offered a refund when called out". I'm guessing that if I hadn't already left him positive FB, he would've "cheerfully" offered a refund, but now he figures I've got no leverage over him. Again, we'll see.

 

Here's the only 1920-S in my collection. The date is, indeed, different, and the designer's initials on my coin are clearly visible.

 

I didn't see this thread early enough... but this is definitely a new Chinese counterfeit. The pebbly surfaces in the devices are a good indicator.

 

I've described my evidence to eBay in my (text-only) report opening the case, and the seller "has asked eBay Customer Support to review this case and make a final decision". I was under the impression that he would see my report and I would see his response; maybe he didn't say anything additional. I'll be very surprised if eBay doesn't see this my way, but I have the impression that the seller is equally confident it'll go his way.

Thanks again for the supporting evidence and comparison photos!

 

Looking at the reverses of the ebay coin and my coin side-by-side, I also notice that the mintmark on the ebay coin is slanted and lower than it is on my coin.

 

What does the US Treasury say...this is counterfeit US Currency?

 

The treasury doesn't get involved, the Secret Service does:

http://www.secretservice.gov/know_your_money.shtml

Doesn't matter though, they really don't care that much about counterfeit numismatic items.