I love this auction.

NBSQLGeek

Just from looking at the title and then looking at the price it is at now makes me laugh.

If this guy is really serious about not knowing what the coin is bet hes getting a kick.LINK

NBSQLGeek

Holy Crap!

When I posted this it was at $135 and just topped at $665 .

sonofagunk

if he didn't know what it was, why did he put it in the colonial section?

NBSQLGeek

WHich is true, I never trust anyone anymore. IF there is money involved, with anything I know not to trust them.
I know for a fact I could never survive being a dealer cause I would be giving away everything.

Russ

Is that a Pine Tree Schilling?

Russ, NCNE

NBSQLGeek

Yup.

Russ

It seems to me that if they knew what it was, they would have put that in the title to generate interest. Also, this seller is a Jehovah's Witness. I'm not saying they are all honest, but that might enhance the odds that they are legitimate in their claim that they didn't know what it is.

Unless it's counterfeit?

Russ, NCNE

FatMan

I don't think so. Red book shows all Pine Tree coinage to be dated (1667-1682). The coin listed looks like a replica of the Unique 1776 Pine Tree Copper on page 38. I'm guessing someone just paid over $600 for a piece of junk. Some body please tell me I'm wrong. I hate to see that happen to anyone.

JLW

Actually it's not a pine tree shilling, Redbook lists it as a Massachusetts Unofficial copper with the description of unique with no value given. Seems to me if it's genuine this would be the steal of the century.
Joe

MrSunshine

BMW
Its listed in redbook as a Massachusetts unofficial copper.
It is also listed as unique. Someone may have scored the big one.

KlectorKid

The chances it is a counterfiet are pretty good.. not graded, he "doesnt know" what it is yet he puts it into the right secting and look at it it's very high grade, and it has hardly any toning either. it is over 200 years old and it is still very silver either this was dipped (which would not have been done by some1 who doesnt know what it is), or he bought it and it was dipped (who buys something when they dont know what it is? and for that much money he must have paid for it)

MrSunshine

Fatman
Looking at the redbook and this coin their are differences.

mr1931S

this piece screamed "replica" immediately to yours truly on viewing the pics...i concur with Fatman...

i would say the odds are right up there with winning the multi-state powerball lottery that this piece is genuine and unique,MrSunshine...80,000,000 to 1...the odds are better that one will get hit by lightning five times on a cloudless,sunny day...

and the odds are much better that one will find an SVDB in only one 1/2 lb lot of unsearched wheaties...and that it will be genuine...

Russ

Looking at the buyer's history, I'm not seeing anything to indicate the sophistication level necessary to be laying down this kind of cash on a pig in a poke. I think we have the greed factor at play here - perhaps on both ends of the transaction.

Russ, NCNE

coinguy1

After a forum member notified me of the sale, I looked at the listing. It is NOT genuine. I have emailed the winning bidder and 3 underbidders.

NBSQLGeek

Didnt even notice that he was, and yes posting that he is a JW would help out a lot.
We do have a good rep around the world.

Russ

Edit since it is no longer applicable.

Russ, NCNE

NBSQLGeek

Sorry was to busy watching the clock at work to focus. HEHEH

I edited my message.

abuell

So someone paid $650 for a sleazy $3 modern cast copy. In situations like this it's the seller that usually gets the blame. IMHO: If someone is so foolish as to bid $650 they deserve what they get - if they want to blame someone for their 'misfortune' they need only look in the mirror.

coinguy1

abuell,

I agree with you to some extent.

However, there are many sellers (not necessarily this one, though one of the underbidders has told me that he emailed the seller with a question and did not receive a reply) that are equally or more to blame. Many are purposely vague and or deceptive or flat out dishonest. I have a lot more understanding for someone who is foolish, than I do for someone who is dishonest.

dlshaw

He is from Winchester, IN. Thats the hometown of Silvertowne coins, major dealer, he wouldn't had a hard time getting them to give him some information on it.

Russ

<< <i>I have a lot more understanding for someone who is foolish, than I do for someone who is dishonest. >>



Mark,

Normally, I would agree with that. However, in this case I think we have a buyer who is far more greedy than foolish. This is a very specialized item that few outside the numismatic community would know anything about. My hunch is that this buyer believed they were putting one over on a seller and making a major score.

Perhaps it could be argued that the blindness born of his greed made him a fool, but nonetheless, I believe that the fundamental reason for his action was that greed.

Russ, NCNE

coinguy1

Russ,

I have been in touch with the buyer (who I strongly advised to get out of the transaction). She knows virtually nothing, if anything about coins, but was praying for a financial miracle. Call it greed, desperation, whatever, but it's not dishonesty, at least.

Russ

<< <i>She knows virtually nothing, if anything, about coins >>



Apparently she knew enough to know that if the coin were real it would be worth a lot of money. I'm sorry, but I find her assertion of cluelessness to be less than credible.

Kudos to you, though, Mark for stepping in on this.

Russ, NCNE

Gilbert

Well, is it just me, but the color alone makes me think it isn't a "copper"; or is it possible for a copper coin to look practically silver?

Gemini

I came across one of these pieces back in 1968 and wrote to Richard Picker who has since passed he was the top authority on Colonials at the time. Here is what his reply
to me was.

Thank you for your letter of 3/25/68
I have seen many of these coins which have been turning up in all
parts of the country.
Copies of this coin have ben manufactured by the Copley Coin Co. and more recently someone in the Bronx have been making some.
Some have the word copy impressed upon on their edges while others do not.
Since there are only 2 or 3 of the "so called" originals
and unless your piece pedigrees back to a well known collection, it would be safe to assume that it is one of these copies and has no value at all.
The first "so called originals" first made their appearance about 1875 when a major book on the subject was being prepared.
At the ime it was felt that it was most probably a fantasy made by someone trying to perpatrate a fraud.
We have no records or proof that it is truly a coin of the period.
Kindest regards, Richard Picker

dpoole

Gemini,

Thanks for sharing that wonderful bit of history/"pedigreeing," and to your keeping the fruits of that old communication in circulation.

What a place these CU Boards are!

ANACONDA

Numero uno -- If you say "I don't know what it is" when you do, that is lying.

Numero dos -- "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Probably.

Numero tres -- "A fool and his money shall soon part."

Numero quattro -- "Pray for wisdom." (Not all prayers are answered, I'm finding out......;0)......)

snake

UncleJoe

I have to believe GREED is what blinded this buyer into bidding on this "coin".

Does any one believe this coin was on this or the other bidders' want lists?

and then just happens to find one for sale on eBay!!!

Joe.