This appeared (briefly) in the new BIN listings this afternoon: Five Dollar 1805 Coin As Mens Watch Fob A turban-head half eagle (I think it's actually 1803/2?), with a loop soldered on, and engraved as a love token on the reverse. In the time I took to run off and see whether there was any possibility it was genuine, someone else snatched it -- for $475. Based on my somewhat limited experience with holed and engraved rarities, I'm thinking this one (if genuine) was still easily a four-figure coin. And about the only sort of turban-head gold I'm every likely to take a shot at.
Just tell yourself it's probably fake, and someone is going to be very disappointed when it arrives. That's what I'd do.
And if so they'll appeal to eBay Buyer Protection, and win. No matter; my barrel of eBay missed opportunities is deep and wide enough that this one will only make a small ripple. It's in my nature to prefer missed opportunities over seized mistakes.
Considering melt is over $400, and you should be able to easily return it if it's not gold, I don't think I would have dithered at $475 if that was on my radar.
Yeah, but due to various short-term conditions I'm not feeling quite as prosperous as I had been, and that translates into increased reluctance to jump on potential opportunities. I know it's the wrong attitude, but it's a safe one.
