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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;NPCoin, post: 359319, member: 5629&quot;]Anything moral or ethical in nature is always on a case by case basis.&nbsp; If a dealer, then...if a new collector, then...if a table at a show, then...&nbsp; There are a lot of &quot;ifs&quot; involved.</p><p><br /></p><p>However, this particular situation involves a collector&#039;s board much like this one here.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>So, this situation would pretext that we would be dealing with a collector.&nbsp; On any board, you have the &quot;pros&quot; as well as the &quot;newbies&quot; and sometimes you can tell who is what, and sometimes you cannot.&nbsp; Irregardless, none of us knows everything.&nbsp; Some of us have extensive knowledge in varied numismatic subjects and/or series, others have a more rounded general knowledge of coins, and yet others have very little or absolutely no knowledge of coins except for the fact they&#039;re round!&nbsp; And then these people *really* have an eye opener when they go to the dark side and find coins ranging in shape from square to triangle to hexagonal to guitar-shaped!!</p><p><br /></p><p>The point is, even a well seasoned collector may not be educated in a particular series, variety, or type of error.&nbsp; And the purpose of boards like these are primarily for education and building &quot;bonds&quot;, just like any coin club.</p><p><br /></p><p>That said, I would treat the situation as I would if dealing with this person face to face at a club meeting.&nbsp; Remember, although you are only a handle on the internet, you still have a reputation.&nbsp; Would you suspect a variety, and not tell the person face to face if offered the coin in person?&nbsp; Would you risk your reputation, both as a person as well as a numismatist, to &quot;cherrypick&quot;?&nbsp; Would you pass up the opportunity to pass on some knowledge to someone that may be lacking in an area which you may have extensive knowledge or even possibly expertise?</p><p><br /></p><p>I would most definitely inform the seller of the possibility that the coin may be a variety, and even instruct him/her how to diagnose the coin.&nbsp; But, I would also inquire if the person wanted to complete the transaction at the asked price if it was indeed a variety.&nbsp; The person may or may not want to do so if the variety is verified.&nbsp; But, at least you passed on some knowledge and knowhow, and your reputation will grow and precede you.</p><p><br /></p><p>Reputation is something that cannot necessarily be bought, and is very hard to repair when damaged.&nbsp; You never know who may be watching your actions or who you may interact with on the internet.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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