Suspicious ebay photos

Mikey · September 23, 2003 2:44PM

Does the angle used to photograph coins for sale help hide defects? I see lots of coins for sale that are not photographed straight on. I suspect that taking a picture at an angle makes a coin look better. As an example, look at the following:

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fountainheadgold · September 23, 2003 2:47PM

If you take a picture straight on it does not come out good, reflection ect.

gsaguy · September 23, 2003 2:48PM

Mike,

Slight angles can make huge differences in how bagmarks show. On occassion, a forum member will post several pics of the same coin and at first glance it appears that each is a different coin.

It's basically impossible to grade a coin based solely on a scan. If a seller doesn't have a return policy, especially for a raw coin, run the other direction.

GSAGUY

clw54 · September 23, 2003 3:23PM

Today I scanned a 1965 quarter at work, just for the heck of it. There was no trace of a hairline in the scan even though I scanned at 600 dpi, but I could clearly see the hairline with my eyes. You can't grade or judge a coin from a scan.

coindaughter · September 23, 2003 3:48PM

Russ posted a wonderful thread about how a photo can represent (or misrepresent) a coin. Check it out!

291fifth · September 23, 2003 6:35PM

Coin photos are almost never accurate representations of the coin. Many tricks can be played with lighting angles or digital adjustments. Often the photos are taken by sellers with minimal photo skills. Beware of online auctions which rely on photos and very spartan descriptions. Make sure the seller has a no questions asked return policy. Just recently I won a Bridgeport half on eBay. From the photos it appeared to be a nice original coin. Originality is especially important for this issue since many were struck with very bland luster. Even one dipping can make this issue look bad. The coin had been dipped at some point and looked very bland in person...not at all like the photos. It was an example of an overgraded slabbed coin that should have been net graded but wasn't. Fortunately, I did get my money back. On-line auctions are where this type of stuff is being dumped as they are virtually unsaleable in person.

fcloud · September 23, 2003 9:02PM

The photo looks great, and they offer a ten day return. If they were hiding something, they would not offer a unconditional return. I would guess by the policy the coin is as represented.

Now, you can't grade a coin by the photo, but you can get an idea of what it looks like.

(I have never purchased from the seller, and I don't know the seller, but they look honest.)

Suspicious ebay photos

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