Superior Galleries; Are their pictures to be trusted?

Shamika · September 10, 2003 12:26AM

I've never bid on coins being auctioned by Superior Galleries. However, that may change in the next week. Whenever I see images of the coins they're offering, I am amazed at how nice these usually are. Great strikes, natural toning, super luster, it's just hard to believe that these images are to be trusted.

If you have won any of these coins, what is your opinion?

Trime · September 10, 2003 12:39AM

Shamika,
I don't think that Superior pictures are the best in the industry but I believe they try to provide representative images. As you well know, there is no substitute for in hand viewing for any coin from any source. I will not belabor the details of what is easy and difficult to tell from pics as they are noted in many threads on this forum.

RYK · September 10, 2003 12:57AM

I have a mixed experience. I purchased two coins late at night in live ebay/Superior auction several months ago. One coin was beautiful in the picture and terrific in person (pic below of 1845-D half eagle in XF), the other was nice in the picture and below average in person. Both coins were slabbed, and frankly, the first coin, in a green PCGS holder was probably undergraded and perhaps one of the better deals that I have ever made, even with the 20% buyer's premium. The other coin was sold for a small profit as quickly as I could. Overall, I made out fine.

I have bought several times from Heritage, and I have been disappointed with the coin in hand compared to the picture online on more than one occasion, as well.

Lakesammman · September 10, 2003 1:52AM

Would never bid on anyones coin based just on the pictures. It's just too easy to hide problems with pictures.

Shamika · September 10, 2003 8:31AM

Thank you guys for your input. Unfortunately, I don't live anywhere near Hollywood so if I'm interested in buying one of these coins, I'll have to study the images VERY carefully.

I too have been deceived by images from Heritage, but I know it's almost impossible to capture every problem that a coin may have.

Louis · September 10, 2003 8:43AM

I have bought only 2 lots from Superior Galleries Auctions, but both were represented correctly in thier pictures.

RYK · September 10, 2003 9:36AM

I have had the B&M guys describe auction coins to me. They seem happy to do it and were very accurate. Probably did a better job than I would have done on my own.

Placid · September 10, 2003 9:58AM

Check their eBay feedback.

uofa1285 · September 10, 2003 2:14PM

Got royaly scr*wed on one of their high dollar auctions for a monster toned morgan...paid $1,800 - coin arrived - colors were somehow inverted from the pics thereby making them totally misrepresentative - coin has a market value of about $500 IMO. I contacted them - they acknowledged the pics were not representative but said that since it was NGC graded, I was stuck. VERY upsetting.

The moral is...only buy if you are willing to deal with NO RETURNS.

Doug

billboat · September 10, 2003 2:27PM

I'm following several Bust Halves in their 9/15 auction--haven't signed up as a bidder yet--I hate having to give a credit card number--but they are nice coins.

Shamika · September 11, 2003 1:02AM

With the exception of ebay user "uofa1285" leaving 20 complaints, their feedback is actually pretty good.

I may call them as Legend suggested.

uofa1285 · September 11, 2003 4:19AM

<< <i>With the exception of ebay user "uofa1285" leaving 20 complaints, their feedback is actually pretty good.

I may call them as Legend suggested. >>

What's the old quote? "you can lead a horse to water but cannot make them drink". Why did I even waste my time typing if you are not going to even read my response to YOUR thread!

signed,

UOFA1285!!!

relayer · September 11, 2003 4:27AM

Of their 24 negs most came from the same guy over a period of time. I guess he's not smart enough to learn the first time

uofa1285 · September 11, 2003 4:37AM

<< <i>Of their 24 negs most came from the same guy over a period of time. I guess he's not smart enough to learn the first time >>

Relayer - could you be a bigger idiot?! R-E-A-D M-Y C-O-M-M-E-N-T-S...Then you can figure out that you could ASK me why I left 20 negs over a period of time! Sheesh!

UOFA1285

RYK · September 11, 2003 5:02AM

No reason to get nasty/angry, uofa. Just because one person had a bad experience with Superior does not mean that Superior should be avoided and shunned by everyone else. I think "monster-toned" coins, in particular, are very difficult to photograph. The more mundane-appearing coins, like the half eagle I posted above, was perfectly captured by their photographer. As always, buyer beware. And if you do not like the auction terms, then don't bid.

I would like to see pics of the coins in question, Shamika and uofa.

uofa1285 · September 11, 2003 5:09AM

<< <i>No reason to get nasty/angry, uofa. Just because one person had a bad experience with Superior does not mean that Superior should be avoided and shunned by everyone else. I think "monster-toned" coins, in particular, are very difficult to photograph. The more mundane-appearing coins, like the half eagle I posted above, was perfectly captured by their photographer. As always, buyer beware. And if you do not like the auction terms, then don't bid.

I would like to see pics of the coins in question, Shamika and uofa. >>

RYK - you are yet another person who does not READ before they opine. I did not say these folks should not buy from Superior! I stated with the two previous posters my frustration that they did not READ my replies to this thread before discounting my feedbacks. The purpose of this thread (as in most) is to have a discourse while considering all anecdotes offered (by request, BTW). But, instead I get idiots!

Doug

RYK · September 11, 2003 5:18AM

Name calling...that tells me all I need to know about the value of your opinion.

uofa1285 · September 11, 2003 5:24AM

<< <i>Name calling...that tells me all I need to know about the value of your opinion. >>

Oh yeah?...well, the Steelers SUCK!

RYK · September 11, 2003 5:57AM

Well, now it is getting PERSONAL!

Actually, I did try to redirect to discuss the coins in question. It would be worthwhile to see the ufoa-Superior Morgan. How about it?

P.S. Steelers and Miami Hurricanes rule!

Superior Galleries; Are their pictures to be trusted?

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