Seeing the price and how few bidders makes me think this can't be genuine. I tried to do the detective work myself, but I just couldn't tell. http://www.ebay.com/itm/220872184385?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_500wt_689
Looks real to my un-expert eyes. I looked at the panda book , the only thing I could notice that was different was the the date looked slightly off to what is shown in the book, in the book it is centered slightly higher up than the ebay one, could just be my perception though. Suppose the old saying, if it too good to be true...
That was my reasoning, the whole "too good to be true" thing. I too looked at pics, but couldn't see any difference that stood out. I also thought the low number of bidders was curious. I'm trying to get an "eye" for fakes, so that I can buy some more raw pandas instead of just slabbed ones. I figure at some point the Panda Kings will see the post and set us straight. Thanks for taking a look mate
The Panda fakes are so good it's almost impossible to tell by doing a visual. The crooks don't seem to have worked out the fake Double Mint Seal con yet. When they do we're in real trouble.
Think it's real, the 1996 is a relatively cheaper year so there shouldn't be that many (if any) counterfeits for it out. The reason for low interest could be because it's not in a capsule or the double mint seal.
Thanks, I found some good pictures of a real one and I can't find a single difference. Plus I found a site that describes some thing to look for that year, like number of posts, offset date, smooth stairs. It all seems cool to me. I'm really trying to learn how to spot fakes and I appreciate your input and help...a lot
Had a good look at mine and I think it's a real large date Panda. Agree with fishball not a rare year and out of mint seal. Lots of people won't buy if out of plastic cover. Good buy if you trust you judgement. I would have bought it for that price and got it graded.
I think its real. I make a few good deals in eBay with unsealed coins. And very good deals if the coin have toning.
That's my plan. One thing I am curious about is I've checked two of the most well known sites and they show no mintage figures for the 1oz silver. Does anyone have that figure? No mintage numbers for a 97 either and one site has 100k for 98 and 168k for 95 the other has 250k for 98 and 100k for 95. Collecting backwards fromm 2004 is confusing the F outta me LOL
It's a fake I think. Couldn't really spot anything on the obverse but the fur is always a giveaway and this one's too 'blobby' looking. Left ear on big bear is too pointy and right foot not detailed enough. The grass also is all wrong, lengths and clump positioning. Man I hate seeing shit like this.
The panda book gives mintage as unknown but BU population est is <106,000 with a large date population of <60,000
http://www.pandausa.com/image/1oz/19961ozfrontld.jpg Picture I'm using to compare. Ear looks the same to me. Detail and crease in the foot look the same Blobby fur looks like it could be a lighting issue and I can't see the grass clear enough in the known real one.
Look closely at the left arm... isn't that inside line too straight? That picture you're using isnt the best when comparing fakes, I'm looking at Peter's book.
Found this pic of grass clumps http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=150669899888 Looks pretty much the same to me, which of course is what counterfeiters count on LOL
Here's a good pic of a NGC slab http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=390353238772 Looks the same to me
Did you buy this panda? If you did and are getting it graded I would love to hear the outcome. I agree with you about the ear and the lighting, mine is NGC graded and I had another look the grass looks the same both length and clumping. The ear on mine is pointed. I'm not a panda expert but I still think it is real. If you bought it please take more photos trying not to get the reflection. If you do try to get it graded and they say it's a fake I will buy it from you at the selling price and postage as it would be the best fake I have seen. I understand there are other members that have commented that are better judges of pandas than me. My opinion is just that. mine.
Bad link, sorry. Take a look at this arm http://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-CHINA-...772?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae2ddbaf4
I won the auction, but haven't paid yet, I just won it today. I came across it with like 28 minutes left and messaged the seller but haven't heard back. I just asked him if it was uncirculated, what has kept it that way, like a capsule or what and where he got it from.
It's too close to call, I've compared it to my 96 and maybe it is genuine... or else a VERY good fake
