My eBay shot at a rare possible discovery Washington Type-C

StrikeOutXXX

I see everyone's tales of excitement turn sour on eBay shots in the dark, so figured I'd share mine real quick.

So a few weeks ago, I run across this 1964 Washington recently listed on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-Unc-Silver-Quarter-/261733786988?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=810F1hOG6R%252Fycp9tX1Jd3N5qD6M%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Nothing spectacular, but Washington enthusiasts, check the pictures (Cropped from the eBay listing)



Did you see it? We all know 1964-D came with the Type-C Reverse and is somewhat sought after, but 1964 Philly?

The only reference I could find to the possibility was here:
http://blog.davidlawrence.com/index.php/washington-quarters-1964/
Specifically the passage: A third, type C, reverse probably exists on business strikes from both mints which Breen calls “transitional” pieces. Reverse C was used from 1965 – present.

So I got somewhat excited, but said - nah, can't be. But I sent a message to the seller trying not to sound too excited:

Nice 64 Quarter - awesome strike, think it would fit my album very nice. Before I bid, just wanted to make sure those are the right pictures for the exact coin offered in the auction. Thanks!

Few hours go by and get a reply of:

Yes,This is the actual item you will receive.

So... excitement struck - I did PM a few folks on the forums who have helped me try to understand the Washington reverses with some generic questions and the reverse pic, and confirmed what I was hoping for.

So, the hard part was waiting to bid for 6 more days figuring every Washington specialist would be all over it and ready for a fight at the end. It closed at 3:30pm on a Tuesday when I was at work, so had to put in a placeholder bid just in case I got tied up at work, then put in a somewhat nuclear bid at the last minute since it turned out I was able to be online at the end.

Won the auction for $6.25 with $1.75 shipping with no other bids.

So then came 6 more days waiting for the package while visions of sending the coin off to Dr. Wiles and having a discovery coin danced in my head.

Well, it came yesterday - my USPS text alert told me it had been delivered so off to the mailbox I went, trying to keep my excitement in check.

So... package opened, coin looked at - stapled in a flip to a piece of paper, obverse up... yup, matches, so flip it over and greeted with this reverse:



ARGH... Obviously a different coin than the picture with a normal type-A reverse. So close... yet so far away.

The seller had a no return policy, so I sent them a message telling them the coin arrived, the picture of the obverse matches, but they used a different reverse picture in their auction. I reminded them I asked them to check the images, which they reassured me it was and if there was any recourse.

Their reply:
I'm sorry that you are not satisfied with the coin that you received. You asked me prior to bidding if the coin in the photo was the one that you would receive and I indicated that it was. The photo of the obverse and reverse are the same as the coin sent and you did accept it as such. I did not advertise the coin to be anything other than an uncirculated 1964 Quarter. If you would like a refund, please send it back in it's original package and I will credit your PayPal account in the amount of $6.25. Mr. B

ARGH.

Now, don't get me wrong - I took a shot in the dark and lost... and I'm not even really upset about the $6.25/$8.00 - I'm sure if I hold it long enough silver will climb sometime in my lifetime back to 32x face and I'll be whole, but... what are your thoughts.

1) Keep it and chalk it up as a lesson learned
2) Send it back like they suggested and eat postage each way
3) Click the return item (Keeping in mind they had a no return policy) and see if eBay sides with me and forces their hand on return postage

I'll admit though, the last 2 weeks has been quite exciting, just having the prospect of finding a diamond in the eBay rough - I can only imagine how the folks feel who actually do find those rare items. Some day...

lasvegasteddy

i love the complete layout here
sorry it didn't workout for ya...at this price level this is something i'd just eat
others may not out of principal in which they are not wrong...as seller did play a trick on you with reverse image
(to each their own)
another ebay seller to never buy from

but yeah
the excitement,hopes and dreams and even a silver quarter which shows melt value of $3.25
you net at $5.00...nice lil dice roll

many mistakes have costed alot more without a batting an eye

awesome post
thanks
keep on hunting and i for one look forward to your wins too
hopefully which is just right around the corner

joebb21

Clearly a different coin. Maybe since you notified the seller that this $6 beauty was on your radar he thought that there must be something rare about it and played a switch?

ms70

I hope you leave him a nuke negative. Make his eBay life as miserable as possible for doing this.

crypto79

File a SNAD and get your shipping back too, if they fight leave a neg.

CaptHenway

<< <i>File a SNAD and get your shipping back too, if they fight leave a neg. >>



+1

StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>Clearly a different coin. Maybe since you notified the seller that this $6 beauty was on your radar he thought that there must be something rare about it and played a switch? >>



I considered that initially, and tried not to tip my hat when asking my initial question. I had to be sure though, as I was almost positive more folks would notice it and bidding would be somewhat fierce on this.

The Obverse picture in the auction is the same coin they sent though, so it's just a case of mixed up (I'd like to believe unintentionally, but who knows) reverse picture, despite the message confirming it.

Here is a pic I took of the obverse of the coin I was sent - no doubt the same as their auction pic:

joebb21

Clearly another picture was taken of some other coin so perhaps you should monitor his other items

LeeBone

Since a switch took place, I`m lead to believe that the seller was trying to lure someone into bidding high since it showed a "C reverse" in the Ebay listing. I smell something I don`t like...

StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>Clearly another picture was taken of some other coin so perhaps you should monitor his other items >>



In both the week of the auction and the week waiting for it to arrive I checked all their other listings and past auctions.

They had 2 other Washingtons - one was a bicentennial, and another a 1973-D, but the 1973-D had enough markers to show it wasn't a mix-up with that.

Unless they sold something else recently without feedback to look at, it could be from an upcoming auction not listed yet, but I couldn't find where the obvious swap came from.

I always thought this was the most likely outcome, but still had hopes. I'd say I guessed:

90% chance mixed up pics
8% chance it was a 1964-D C-Reverse with either removed or grease filled mintmark
1% chance it may have been a '64 SMS - I never could find good pics to compare to them
1% chance it was a real Philadelphia '64 Type-C

ricko

Tough break, and why I stay away from ebay.....used to be good... Cheers, RickO

StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>File a SNAD and get your shipping back too, if they fight leave a neg. >>



OK, educate me here - where do I do the SNAD? Just the normal Return Item button, then "It doesn't match listing"?

I can't find the Significantly Not As Described - never used it, but thought it used to be in the header of the closed auction?

Type2

Did you post it befor you rec it that happens a lot as well. After they see it here the switch take's place and they don't even say thanks for the heads up. I saw the obv pic your right mix up with pic's.

AUandAG

Send it back and send a neg along with it. This seller did not take the time to actually
check, like asked, before the auction ended and sent the wrong coin. It deserves a
neg.

bob

ProofArtworkonCircs

I, for one, would like to know what date that type C was. The EPU was so sharp, that I thought it had to be a silver planchet type C like certain 1964 D's.
Type C clad strikes have a weak EPU as I remember it.

19Lyds

<< <i>Now, don't get me wrong - I took a shot in the dark and lost... and I'm not even really upset about the $6.25/$8.00 - I'm sure if I hold it long enough silver will climb sometime in my lifetime back to 32x face and I'll be whole, but... what are your thoughts.

1) Keep it and chalk it up as a lesson learned
2) Send it back like they suggested and eat postage each way
3) Click the return item (Keeping in mind they had a no return policy) and see if eBay sides with me and forces their hand on return postage

I'll admit though, the last 2 weeks has been quite exciting, just having the prospect of finding a diamond in the eBay rough - I can only imagine how the folks feel who actually do find those rare items. Some day...
>>



1st off. I would never have contacted the seller.
2nd. I would have questioned, in my mind as you did, the authenticity of the photo pairing.
3rd. I would have bid on the listing and taken the chance.

When the coin arrived, I would have been just as disappointed as you but.............I would not take my disappointment out on the seller.

davewesen

If you have sold before, you would realize how easy it is to accidently post the wrong picture, especially if you start giving them names or have others pictured the same time without listing one because of pic quality or something.

eBay has changed their policys again and now they have defects that cost sellers more money. A 1,2 or 3 counts under item as described counts as a defect. A SNAD counts as a defect, a Negative counts as a defect.

Defects over 2% (of buyers feedback left - I have less than half that leave feedback, but I do not beg for it), costs the sellers 20% in fees, and stay with them for 12 months.
I have started mailing within 1 day and free shipping to bring my 'defects' back to normal. My last defect was a buyer who used his phone and posted a 3 for item as described (the only option because of the stuff I paid for). They said it was an accident, but ebay will not allow it to be changed.

I also have cut my selling by half to three quarters and will keep it lower until I get top rated again, which may take 12 months. I made the choice of not giving eBay an extra couple hundred bucks. If you are a cheap buyer, complaining about a lottery ticket that lost and are out 3-4 bucks and demand 'restitution', you are not a buyer I want.

Buyers complain about how bad eBay is now, but they have made it that way.

AMRC

What is your eBay ID?

TomB

Seems like an inadvertent picture mix up. Keep the coin.

coinnut

What 19Lyds and TomB said.