Organized Crime Involved In Collectible Coins?

This link draws that conclusion.
http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=627157

 

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While clearly disturbing, I'm not sure how you got to "organized crime". Looks like small-time Chineese counterfeiters to me.

That doesn't make it any less disturbing though. Luckily that auction has lots of "warning signs", but next time we might not be so lucky.

For those who thought NGC was the only one having trouble, look here for another disturbing development:

http://boards.collectors-society.co...showflat&Number=2094324&page=1&gonew=1#UNREAD

Be careful guys and gals...Mike

 

To save some clicking, here's the counterfeit NGC slab (the slab number is a good one, the slab and insert and coin are all counterfeit):



Here's the counterfeit PCGS slab. Actually not quite a counterfeit...yet, but this is the first instance I'm aware of that looks close to a PCGS slab. it would be no work at all to change the initials in the lower right and the insert to match PCGS.




Be careful out there...Mike

 

By reading all 4 ( at the time ) pages.

 

HAHAHAHA, I remember these coins when I went to China last year. Hell, i've seen some sellers dumping buckets of pot metal Trade Dollars at outdoor flea markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

 

you seem to find it amusing?

 

Yes. Out of all the things China can copy, they copy Trade Dollars? I had to laugh.

 

Considering the price of genuine TDs on today's market, there is nothing to laugh about my friend!

 

That's right... there's nothing funny about this one.

Coin dealers are mostly honest, but there's always hustlers (as proven by E-Bay).

Before TPGs, the hustlers had a field day. It was easier to fool people, and many stayed away.

Then TPGs came along. They add value to the hobby / industry as a whole, because an objective third party expert opinion has value.

I believe this cut down on the number of people who got hosed.

But in one respect, nothing's changed. There will always be charlatans. TPGs have raised the playing field and forced the hustlers to become more sophisticated.

Sadly, some of the hustlers have done just that.

Which forces us - and the TPGs - to become more sophisticated, to try and stay one step ahead.

All of which validates the time-honored CT mantra... get educated, study up, learn up, read up, before you pay up.

 

This might explain a lot of the relatively basic questions from newer members which pop-up on this and other forums. Could be investigating law enforcement personnel gaining knowledge to use against the counterfeiters or even monitoring illegal activity on forums such as this and others. There's really no way to be sure.

Something to think about before hitting enter...


Ben