Did I find a counterfeit 1796 No Star $2.50 NGC MS-63 On Ebay?
CoinPhysicist
Posts: 609 ✭✭✭✭
Listing Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-1796-No-Stars-2-50-Certified-NGC/182955572335?hash=item2a99007c6f:g:4D4AAOSwR2RaLQ3F
Why do I think it's a counterfeit? Well the NGC population is 2 for this grade. There have been 2 different ones sold on Heritage since 2012. One had Serial Number 1891964-001 and the other was 1776966-004. This one on eBay has a Serial Number starting with 1560 and the last digits are blurred out. The listing also has spelling mistakes and it is coming from France. Also, Liberty's cheek just doesn't look right on this one in the eBay listing... it looks... way too puffy.
Not that I can afford a coin of this caliber, but did I find all the red flags and successfully identify a counterfeit? I was just looking at a generic search for the year 1796 -namely cents- and this popped up because I didn't narrow down the search.
Successful transactions with: wondercoin, Tetromibi, PerryHall, PlatinumDuck, JohnMaben/Pegasus Coin & Jewelry, CoinFlip, and coinlieutenant.
Comments
Very suspicious that the serial number is blurred out so you can't check it with the database.
One red flag is that he has devoted has much space to his advertising card card as he has to the coin which, if genuine, would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. You can take this advice to the bank. Bad or tiny photos of a very expensive coin offered for sale almost always indicate that someting is wrong.
But yes, the bogus slab serial number is a sure fire indicator that he's up to no good. This could be a Gallary Mint piece that has been Photoshopped to a slab or perhaps its "COPY" mark filled. As I remember that reproduction, Ms. Liberty's cheeks were full.
Interesting !!!
Liberty does look a little angry
BHNC #203
Sent ebay listing to NGC Certification consumerawareness. Thanks for post.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Listing gone now... must have been enough complaints.... Did anyone snag a picture?? Cheers, RickO
Coin has been relisted......The certification number is now completely visible and checks-out on the NGC website. The coin and holder both match exactly........BUT, there is something definitely not right. Why is he listing a $300,000 coin starting at 99 cents? All his feedback is private and he has the lowest DSR's I've ever seen. Also, why does he NOT have a picture of the reverse, you'd think he'd have taken the time to post that on this coin:
https://ebay.com/itm/182993132224/?rmvSB=true
That whole image reeks of Photoshop
This guy has been on my radar awhile. He had a really nice raw gold from the 1700's for sale awhile back. I asked one too many questions (asked for new pictures) and was blocked. I suspect he is photoshopping some of his pics, but do not know for sure.
I dont know about counterfeit but I am the high bidder at $25.00! NGC has it listed at $750,000.00 thats a good deal when I win!
I had to sign a Non Disclosure Form so I can't tell you how much my highest bid goes to or if I win.
Oooops there goes my high bid I think they are trying to rope me in! Not gonna work.
Somebody removed the bidding on that coin I was winning!!!!
Its NO Longer available.
There is NO RECORD I EVER BID ON IT LIKE IT NEVER EXISTED! A TRUE X-FILE!
"Item has been removed" It's very fishy...
Looks like he/she was pushing some religious nonsense and not really selling a coin.
The lower label has been altered and the entire label appears pasted into the slab photo. Likewise the coin image does not match the rest of the concoction.
Pretty weird from a seller who also seems to be listing a ton of fairly ordinary stuff. Usually that kind of thing is somebody with 9 feedbacks in, like, Estonia or someplace ...
The seller did sneak in, under the radar, a raw $50 Assay Gold for $16,100 today. Will be interesting to see if buyer receives anything and what feedback is left:
https://ebay.com/itm/1851-Augustus-Humbert-50-/182981507340?rmvSB=true&nma=true&si=aYjVYeI2nT4aeI9%252BLoWz7%252B1tlbc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Interesting he finally relisted it. I figured out what is not right... Look at how big the NGC label is in the picture on your post. Look how much white space is around now. Now go to NGC cert check and look at the NGC photograph of that one and compare the label on the front of the slab. There is more white space around the label. The labels are different sizes.
Successful transactions with: wondercoin, Tetromibi, PerryHall, PlatinumDuck, JohnMaben/Pegasus Coin & Jewelry, CoinFlip, and coinlieutenant.
Maybe a hoard was discovered.
I mean I hope I'm not pointing out the obvious but quickly zooming in on the slab it's obvious it's Photoshop work lol. Coin and label are both photoshopped "onto" the slab.
LOL that is definitely Photoshop.
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