Please report (5/25/22) - 1803 half dime certified as 1803 dime (gone now)
IkesT
Posts: 3,199 ✭✭✭✭✭
The following eBay listing is for an 1803 half dime that has been certified by NGC as an 1803 dime in AU58. This is a serious error, as the 1803 dime is worth significantly more than the half dime in this condition. The seller hasn't yet had time to respond to my message, but given the money involved, this listing should be reported and ended ASAP.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/394085285156?hash=item5bc1503d24:g:lvgAAOSwZQxijNEi
This particular half dime is the LM-2 Large 8 die marriage:
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1803-h10c-lm-2-large-8/38608
The NGC cert number checks out, with photos that confirm they did in fact certify this half dime as a dime:
https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/6457013-008/58/
What is also strange is that the seller indicates in the eBay listing description that the auction is for 1 coin with a random certification number. The probability that the seller has multiple 1803 dimes in AU58 and is planning to dole one of them out at random to the winner is zero. Either that statement was copied by accident from another listing, or this is a scam. The former seems more likely, as the coin in slab appears to have been photographed on the same countertop as the seller's other coins (suggesting the seller does possess this coin).
Comments
I don't see how this could happen as an 1803 half dime is 16mm in diameter whereas an 1803 dime is 19mm.
The random certification number and no returns on a coin like this is bogus.
It’s probably a mechanical error and could have (almost) as easily been labeled a cent or a different denomination. I reported it to eBay and sent an email to a contact at NGC.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Likely a labeling error as @MFeld said... I am sure it will be fixed. Cheers, RickO
I did as well.
Due to quick work by @mfeld and @burfle23 the NGC part has been taken care of. Great work!
I'll bet NGC is embarrassed to say the least.
Seller ended the auction.
Thank you to @Mfeld , @burfle23 , and NGC for straightening this out so quickly! To everyone who reported, thank you, as well!
Very good thing this one got caught. There were larger in diameter than the modern coins and aren't exactly seen very often. But anyone good with early coinage should be able to tell the difference just by looking at the coin, even without size.
"You can't get just one gun." "You can't get just one tattoo." "You can't get just one 1796 Draped Bust Large Cent."