Selling Chinese coins

laurentyvan

This weekend I'll be posting 30+ Chinese coins from the 1st to the 13th century on eBay. I have my doubts about how they'll sell and that will bring me to my main question...

No doubt about originality-from an old collection, very well described and attributed. Nothing of strong rarity but a few scarce pieces scattered throughout the lot. I'm doing individual auctions, rather Krause-like, cut and dried auction descriptions with good clear pictures.

The question: other than doing the obvious things, how do I seperate myself from the Chinese scammers or have I done enough? Should I use auction for these or higher store prices? My feeling is auction... How is the eBay Chinese market for those who collect by Schjoth, strong or weak?

Cladiator

<< <i>how do I seperate myself from the Chinese scammers >>

Offer a rock solid, no questions asked full return policy if the buyer isn't pleased.

SYRACUSIAN

My very limited experience with Chinese buyers, is that when it's a really nice and rare coin, they are willing to pay strong money to obtain it, if possible with a BIN too. Slabs help a lot.


You don't need to worry about separation,your location and feedback should be enough for that, let alone the grammar and syntax of the item's description...

kimon1230

<< <i>You don't need to worry about separation,your location and feedback should be enough for that, let alone the grammar and syntax of the item's description... >>

I second that

Hussulo

I agree. Also don't use any pictures of champagne bottles or c ocktail glasses, not to mention fireworks etc. as a border, or anywhere in the description for that mater. :>

laurentyvan

Thanks guys, now if I can figure out how to orient the coins for the images so I don't look like a fool...

sumnom

I would suggest making sure your images are top quality and correctly oriented. Enable potential bidders to examine the coloration and calligraphy in as much detail as possible. You might also want to include the diameters of the coins as well. These points are all important diagnostics in counterfeit detection.

lordmarcovan

Interesting line of thought- I wonder what all the Chinese scammers have done to the market in Chinese coins.

sumnom

There have been faux cash coins for a very long time. They were counterfeited as soon as they were minted.

laurentyvan

There have been faux cash coins for a very long time.

I agree... however, the coins I'm auctioning are low grades, no incentive to counterfeit.

I will postpone my auctions for a week or two until I'm sure of the orientation of the coins for images.

Edited to add: LordM has made my point- who wants to buy Chinese coins if they think they're fake? The reason I bought these coins to begin with is that they seemed to be the real McCoy, plenty of wear but distinguishable, a good medium grade set of coins.

Aethelred

The last few times I have sold raw Chinese coins on eBay I have gotten killed. I offer a full NQA return, post good clear photos and English is my first (and last) language, yet I still lose money. As I recall, some of the big crown size coins went for less than melt. My observation is that the market for real Chinese coins on eBay has been ruined and once the few Chinese coins I have left are gone I will not buy any others.

Zoins

<< <i>The last few times I have sold raw Chinese coins on eBay I have gotten killed. I offer a full NQA return, post good clear photos and English is my first (and last) language, yet I still lose money. As I recall, some of the big crown size coins went for less than melt. My observation is that the market for real Chinese coins on eBay has been ruined and once the few Chinese coins I have left are gone I will not buy any others. >>

Are there any websites for distinguishing fake from real Chinese coins like there are for trade dollars? If people can't tell the difference from the pictures (low quality photos or lack of knowledge), they are more apt to assume it's fake.

laurentyvan

Satootoko has offered to properly orient the coins but I have found an ancient Chinese coin website that will serve.

If I can't attribute certain pieces I will properly go with his advice.