Is this too good to be true?

Discussion in 'Numismatics' started by stackmans, Jan 12, 2019.

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  1. stackmans

    stackmans Active Member

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    I have recently purchased this Sov for a fairly cheap price. I was sent a couple of photos before I paid for it.

    I've been looking at the photos whilst I wait for postage and I am slowly convincing myself that I've been ripped off.
    Looking at the scale of the ruler and doing some calcs the coin looks to be 27.7 mm in diameter (way to big for a 1 sov and slightly too small for a double sov) and the coin looks almost flawless with minimal wear considering its a 117 years old.

    I broke my own golden rule by buying online sight unseen but the price was just way too tasty. The seller stated that they knew almost nothing about coins in general, so I've either snapped up a bargain or thrown some money out the window.

    Opinions?
    s-l1600.jpg
     
  2. stackmans

    stackmans Active Member

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  3. stackmans

    stackmans Active Member

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  4. serial

    serial Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Sorry mate, that is as fake as the news on cnn
     
  5. stackmans

    stackmans Active Member

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    Yeah I figured as much. It's a dam shame. The worst part is I also bought a French Marianne from the same seller at a much more realistic price which appears to be legit. Not so sure now. I suppose you live and learn.
     
  6. Soprano16

    Soprano16 Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Sov's definitely aren't my forte, but I've seen enough for sale on this forum to see in an instance that this looks fake

    It actually looks like you could peel off the wrapper and find chocolate underneath

    Live and learn - hopefully it hasn't been too costly of an experience :(
     
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  7. stackmans

    stackmans Active Member

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    Nah, wasn't too much, in fact I've already recovered the cost on another sale today. I don't usually buy sovereigns either so this is a good experience. Its a lesson learned.
     
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  8. JulieW

    JulieW Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Maxim: If it looks to good to be true, it probably isn't.
     
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  9. The_Roll_ Man

    The_Roll_ Man Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Even fakes usually gave a gold content.
    Might still be 50% or so.
    Take it to a dealer with a metal tester for an opinion.
     
  10. stackmans

    stackmans Active Member

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    Well is was worse than fake the seller was a total con artist. Coins never arrived at all and the seller disappeared off eBay immediately after payment cleared. EBay money back guarantee saved me big time.
     
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  11. SilverMatt

    SilverMatt Active Member

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    Another tip- closely compare your coin to one you can find on google images- cast your eye back and forth between yours and an image of a proper one- you will quickly see the differences- its a good education to do this. All the best. :)
     
  12. Number 47

    Number 47 Well-Known Member

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    Funny you should say that...

    I handed my daughter a $5 coin just yesterday and she started picking at the coining with her fingernail while looking at it closely.
    I asked what she was doing and she said,
    "I was checking to see if it was real, it looks like chocolate" :)
    images (9).jpeg
     
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  13. Number 47

    Number 47 Well-Known Member

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    Here's one I decided to stop bidding on after seeing this thread.
    I just don't know enough yet to take the risk.
    Screenshot_20191007-154603_eBay.jpg
     

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