Counterfeit or bargain?

satootoko · February 12, 2004 1:54AM

It's in China, which makes me very, very suspicious. It's been up for several days without attracting any bids with an opening which is a small fraction of the Krause value. During that time I have seem some knowledgeable people bid on other coins. The details don't seem as crisp as they should be.

On the other hand, the seller says it weighs 27g with a diameter of 38.6mm. The nominal weight of a genuine trade dollar is 27.22g and the diameter is 38.6mm. None of the counterfeits I have seen in person have legitimate weights, and most have the wrong diameter as well. When I have asked the seller about the specifications on other suspicious ¥1 and trade dollar coins they have either failed to answer, or given me numbers that were way off.

291fifth · February 12, 2004 2:15AM

Don't be lured by the prospect of a "bargain".

newsman · February 12, 2004 2:24AM

It doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. There are all sorts of alarm bells here.

shirohniichan · February 12, 2004 3:37AM

It may be a bargain, but most likely it's too good to be true.

CIVITAS · February 12, 2004 3:57AM

Josh no like. Bad medicine.......

wybrit · February 12, 2004 10:24PM

Given my success level with the typical ebay seller, I'd say the odds of getting a bargain are pretty slim.

Lloyd · February 12, 2004 10:37PM

I would never, ever send money to China. Simple as that.

Lloyd

wybrit · February 12, 2004 10:42PM

The last time I sent money there it was for a BU 1912 shilling for a low price on ebay. What I got instead was a common 1918 shilling with thousands of hairlines - absolute rubbish. The seller offered to make the exchange. Given the junk I did get, I said "no exchange, refund please." I got my money back even before the coin had arrived at the seller's location.

satootoko · February 12, 2004 11:03PM

I was hoping someone would come up with a strong reason to ignore my suspicions, but . . .

1jester · February 13, 2004 12:09AM

Counterfeits can be so perfect that you might not be able to tell even if it's in your hand. That's the level of the game these days.

hookedoncoins · February 13, 2004 2:57AM

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I agree with lloyd that I would never send my money to china. Way too many counterfeits being pumped out these days.

Caveat Empter!

wybrit · February 13, 2004 12:36PM

At the very least the picture suggests harsh cleaning.

Counterfeit or bargain?

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