US Mint Proof Tribute Set?

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What about the great replicas on the NC Mint site that have no ad copy suggesting anything other than what it is? Or the other companies selling replicas..clearly stating thats what they are "Replicas of Rare US Coins". Some of those programs are great and allow you to get the design without paying the premium. There are plenty of cheaply made replicas but some are really nice..and fun to collect for the exonumist.

 

Originally Posted by mkwelbornjr
Removing "USA" from collectibles would close the market off to a bunch of great products.


If that is true, after removing "USA", they'd still be great products.

 

amen, Doug!

 

There are also members of the public who are just casual collectors and like something like this. At the end, the price is so cheap, its really no loss. Think about how much markup there is when someone goes to buy a piece of jewelry. Most Rolex watches sell for a fraction of cost on the secondary market. Some of the public also likes the way colored coins look. Its reall a totally different market segment than real historic coin collecting. These same people while enjoying their Elvis Silver Eagle...could care less about a MS65 Morgan.

I think its a problem with the hobby as a whole when non collectors buy anything just for value increase. There are no guarantees with anything from any mint. I have personally seen some of these tribute pieces sell for premiums on Ebay. Remember the 9/11 Dollar from 2004..Northern Mariana Islands. Thanks to all the publicity, these sold for $100+ on Ebay...a plated $19 NCLT Coin. NC Mint also offers pure silver versions of items too. Plus a generous 60 day return policy.

 

In this case, "tribute" means "fake". According to some, everyone is supposed to understand this from birth, with no explanation needed.

http://www.cointalk.com/t162567/

On eBay, for example, there is a separate category for such things -- Coins & Paper Money > Coins: US > Replicas & Reproductions. While eBay doesn't require reproductions (fakes) to be listed in this category, it does REQUIRE that both the title and description contain the term "reproduction", "replica", or "copy". Some of the folks here apparently think that's an unreasonable burden on sellers.

Deceptive marketing is unethical, although I suppose some cynics would say the whole point of marketing is "deception".

 

I have no problem listing replicas under the correct section on Ebay. A good policy. Unless its a fantasy piece that never existed..which goes under medals/tokens. "Tribute" isnt the issue...the ad and pics show "COPY" at least 10 times.

 

Which ad and pics are these? The ad I linked to in the other thread doesn't show "copy", "replica" or "reproduction" even once in the title or description, which directly violates eBay's explicit policy. If I view the full-size images, I can make out "copy" on the reverse of the cent in the second image, but only because I know what I'm looking for; I can't make it out on any of the other coins.

Deceptive, and in violation of eBay policy.

 

No clue about the Ebay listing. I don't think anyone is to blame for that but the seller...and perhaps the seller did not really know what to do and wasn't trying to deceive. Some get ahold of this stuff that have no clue what it is like those Estate sellers.

 

Casual collectors may collect what they like. ANYTHING, including these coins. God bless them in their pursuits!

It's the commercials that I and others have focused on and the tactics of the sellers to avoid disclosure of the fact that these coins have nothing to do with the United States Mint. You can argue for people's right to collect what they want and get absolutely no argument from anyone here. You will not, however gain any traction when you defend the misleading and predatory.

 

What gets me about this ad is that during the commercial, most of the images are of an actual AGB coin!
The coin with "copy" incorporated in the design as required by law is only shown for a very short time vs the time spent on images of the actual gold coin.

VERY misleading.

 

I habitually report coins, especially copies (forgeries IMO), that violate eBay listing rules.
I suggest others do the same if they want to at least do their small part in preserving our hobby.