I'm not great at this, but it looks like all the greek silver ones are fake imo, but the Prutahs and stuff look legit. I'd like to get your take on this seller please (thanks!): https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?item=265288570924&hash=item3dc46e582c:g:iMgAAOSwWn1hKjy1&_ssn=s.c.numismaticandart&_sop=10&_pgn=2&_skc=50&rt=nc
Im not an expert ny any means, but the tetredrachms, especially the top few look suspect to me at the least. I have no suggestion on the Ptolemy coins
Without even looking at the coins, something looks fishy. Click sold listings and nearly everything he sold was best offer accepted. I think that is pretty suspect.
Well lets say someone makes counterfeit coins in their garage and it costs $5 a coin to produce. They list one for $200 obo which is at or slightly below collector value. Someone makes an offer for $170 or $180. He is still making over $150 profit on the counterfeit coin. Some of his coins are listed above $500 as well so he could be making even more. (If they are actually counterfeit.) Compared to a dealer who buys and resells coins. He spends $150 on a coin and lists it for $200 obo, hoping for a $50 profit. The dealer would be a lot less likely to accept $170 or $180 for the coin than a counterfeiter, because that significantly effects his profit margins.
Some of the silver coins have a rather porous appearance to them. I’d be suspect. Plus, the Vespasian aureus has a rather mushy appearance.
I agree with Barry. The only nitpick I have is that one Alex III tet was actually marked “Philip III.”
Thanks for the new recommend! Great looking coins. I've saved the seller. What I find suspicious is them getting run through the mud with coins looking this normal, if not a bit over priced. Which would explain the majority of his coins being "buy it now". Nothing jumps out at me, other than some coins I'd like to pick up.
What is certain, he operates from Israel. Antiquities market in Israel is heavily regulated and every legal dealer has an Antiquities Authority permit. This guy does not have one. Also, ancient coins legally exported from Israel must have individual Antiquities Authority permits. I am receiving them with coins purchased through registered VCoins dealers, such as Sahar or Shick. Not from this guy. So when you buy coins from him, you a) risking the coins being confiscated by Israeli or US customs and b) supporting illegal antiquities trade, which is leading to destruction of important archaeological sites. That's regardless of the coins being real or not, and I am sure that they are, at least wast majority of them.
@Factor, how do you know he doesn't have an export license? I'm not doubting you, I'm just curious how you can tell from the listing.
Dealers who have it typically include their license number in the listing, it adds a lot of credibility. But regardless, any coin legally sent out of Israel must have attached an export permit issued by Antiquities Authority and every licensed dealer must comply with this policy. I have already purchased coins from s.c.numismaticandart, and nothing was ever included in the envelope besides the actual coins. Again the coins were authentic.
hell I can make those all day long with my mini propane oven and a bunch of tin cans!! LOL Just need a wax sample to get going.
