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This really makes me mad

newsmannewsman Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
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The seller had this listed once before and I sent him an email warning him it's not a real coin, because the design is obiviously different from the regular issue 1 birr coins. I don't know what happened, but it looks like he re-listed it and sold it as a commemorative.

The problem is it is not a commemorative, nor is it a real Ethiopian coin. It's not even an accurate copy of any Ethiopian coin that ever existed. At best it's a silver round, and selling it as a coin is IMHO fraud. That poor buyer is going to get screwed big-time. image

Comments

  • spoonspoon Posts: 2,798 ✭✭✭
    If you hadn't sent a note correcting him, I would've been inclined to believe it was an honest mistake... not too many people want to take the time to figure out amharic script!

    Well, it doesn't right this specific case, but he got his karma delivered on this a while back... I got a 1914 British shilling in BU from him for $4 a few months ago, it cats for ~70 image At the same time he had a ton of nice older sixpence that went absurdly low as well. I don't think he's used a 99 cent start price on anything decent since! image

    My wantlist & references

  • newsmannewsman Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭
    You just pretty much summarized my problem, spoon.

    I've bought coins from this guy, too, and got the sense he just doesn't know what he has sometimes. That's why I emailed him instead of reporting it directly to eBay. Now I'm still hesitant to do that, because even though I'm sure I'm right, he could say he didn't know me and had no reason to believe me. After all, he's a dealer. image
  • STLNATSSTLNATS Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭
    I've known and liked this dealer for some time; his shop is 5-6 miles from my home. He's been a fixture on the STL coin scene for at least 20 years and comes up with absolutely amazing material from time to time. He has a strong preference for darkside - especially esoteric material - and I think that he still very seriously collects Canadian by date.

    I don't mean to excuse any dealing he may have had with you but I've never known him to be knowingly dishonest and have always thought he has excellent instincts with very sophisicated tastes and extensive knowledge in some areas. On the other hand, he can have a bit of an odd personality and be very difficult for some of his customers to deal with. Also, there are some big holes in his knowledge - including ancients which I attributed for him from time to time - so I'm not surprised that he may not have known the particulars on this piece.

    Just my perspective, take it or not......


    image
    Always interested in St Louis MO & IL metro area and Evansville IN national bank notes and Vatican/papal states coins and medals!
  • daniilfdaniilf Posts: 49
    Actually, seller is right. the coin is listed in the Bruce as X#2

  • cachemancacheman Posts: 3,118 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Actually, seller is right. the coin is listed in the Bruce as X#2 >>



    Yup, knowledge is power... or at least a good reference library is...
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  • newsmannewsman Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Actually, seller is right. the coin is listed in the Bruce as X#2 >>



    Can you be more specific? It's not listed at all in Krause, and the design appears to be a bad copy of the Paris mint regular issue for Menelik.
  • LynchLynch Posts: 299


    << <i>

    << <i>Actually, seller is right. the coin is listed in the Bruce as X#2 >>



    Yup, knowledge is power... or at least a good reference library is... >>



    You've got that right, Cacheman.image
    "Think of the Press as a great keyboard on which the Government can play" – Joseph Goebbels

    "The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media" - William Colby, former CIA director
  • Conder101Conder101 Posts: 10,536 ✭
    Newsman, it isn't in the Krause Standard Catalog, it is in the Krause Unusual Coins of the World catalog which lists fantasies, some tokens, coins from Unrecognized States etc. He states that in the auction.
  • newsmannewsman Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭
    Okay, maybe I was a bit hasty in calling him out -- in fairness, he did change the auction listing after I pointed out that it was not a regular issue 1 birr. image

    But the fact remains that it's a fantasy issue, not a real coin, whether listed in the Unusual World Coins book or not. And I have seen a lot of unscrupulous sellers trying to pass that off as the real thing on unsuspecting buyers.

    A real proof 1 birr would cost at least $600-700, and a prooflike BU runs about $250-350. At those prices, I think it's fair to advise buyers to be cautious and sellers to be clear about what they have.
  • LynchLynch Posts: 299
    Newsy, these sets aren't listed in Krause.

    Given your profound knowledge and unquestioned numismatic expertise, perhaps you could tell me (as a mere unworthy beginner) something about them?

    Are they fake as well?
    "Think of the Press as a great keyboard on which the Government can play" – Joseph Goebbels

    "The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media" - William Colby, former CIA director
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