How do Teaparty's pics compare with the actual coin?

Barry

ALl their pics look very flat, as if they were done on a scanner. For example, this is described as "Frosty cartwheel luster is highlighted by a halo of pastel rainbow toning."

I've never bought from them online because their coins look so dead in the pics. Are their coins flat and dipped out, or are their pics that bad?

Shamika

I have to say that the one coin I purchased from them looked pretty much like their scan.

That said, I'll bet the "frosty carwheel luster" isn't as strong as the description would have you believe.

ziggy29

I suspect that might be an exaggeration, since they have some other coins which clearly show luster (take a look at the 1878-CC quarter; that's also an AU piece and has much more obvious luster).

Having said that, pictures can be deceiving. Mint state and high AU coins that have original grey toning often make the luster impossible to see with a picture. But when you futz with the coin in the light, you can see the cartwheeling. I have a shield nickel like that; no amount of picture taking or Photoshop work could capture the underlying luster busting out in the light. That may not be the case here, but then again, it might be.

JxnBoy

I think they're photos do look a bit flat. My example:

Their photo:


My photo:


I guess it's prudent to be careful with raw material, but I've always been pleased with the coins I've purchased from them. Multiple times.

HTubbs

Yes there pictures are quite "flat" but I'd give them an A for all around service and wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.

ziggy29

<< <i>Yes there pictures are quite "flat" but I'd give them an A for all around service and wouldn't hesitate to buy from them. >>

I've bought from Teaparty a couple of times and I've been quite pleased -- and that was before the proliferation of online images.

mirabela

I know what you mean about their pics. I've bought one coin from them -- an 08-D w/m $10 Indian in AU58 -- and when I did I called up Gail and asked her to describe the coin to me with it in hand. She did so in a straightforward no-BS manner, and upon receipt the coin was pretty much exactly as she described it to me. Her comments on what marks were where, what the luster & die polish characteristics were like on this particular piece, etc. helped me make the decision whereas the picture really didn't. I'm pleased as punch with the coin.

Cratylus

I've made numerous purchases from Teaparty and while most of their images do look a little flat, occasionally they get one right and post a fairly accurate image of the coin. And, as Mirabela pointed out, Gail does an excellent job of describing the coin to you over the phone. One thing I will say is that their coin descriptions do tend to be a bit overly optimistic.

They have a good return policy (I've only had to use it once in well over 30 purchases from them) and despite some claims that they have an "uppity" attitude, they have always treated me right.

MFH

Having dealth with them for about 10+ years, their verbal descriptions are very accurate. I have mentioned to them that their pictures are lifeless a number of times. Recently, they hired another photographer, and I have noticed a change in their images. Still far from perfect. They are a tad optomistic in their AU "58" designations, as most really are AU 55. I can accept that, I just tell them that they are too liberal in that particular grade.

They were the comapny who sold me my most recent Barber Half, a 1913-S - graded AU 58 - again its a solid AU 55, but definetly not an AU 58.

Regardless, they are one of the best companies one could ever hope to work with.

dorkkarl

i have bought/sold w/ teaparty for 15+ years. you can do very well, you can do very badly. like anywhere else, use common sense.

selling to them, i've done exceptionally well.

K S

Aethelred

As far as I can recall I have never bought anything from them, so I have no direct experience here, but to me it does look like all of their pics were made using a flatbed scanner, so 1990s!

MacCrimmon

I really wish high profile dealers had the good sense to quit using scanners. Listen up!! You old, established 'dinosaurs' in the coin biz are going to be 'flooded' out by the younger set pretty soon.