Ebay mechanic at work

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slumlord98
slumlord98 Posts: 1,180 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
This seller has taken a seriously rare, but seriously fugly coin and "improved" it a bit. Some may like his work, others may not. But judging by his markup, the mechanic's bill must have been extensive. For those who are interested in provenance, this is the ex-Roland Willasch specimen, worst of 4 known. Although Overton lists this 106a as R5, the BHNC has rated it as R7+.

If someone would be so kind as to change my URLs to links, I would be most appreciative.

http://www.heritagecoins.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=376&Lot_No=6200&src=pr

http://cgi.ebay.com/1794-Half-Dollar-0106-VF-Detail-R6_W0QQitemZ8347297872QQcategoryZ11969QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Comments

  • Cladiator
    Cladiator Posts: 18,353 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Heritage Link

    eBay Link

    Personally, I don't think the coin should have been messed with.




  • Outhaul
    Outhaul Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Linky-poo
    Linky-poo-poo
  • DNADave
    DNADave Posts: 7,350 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    After being drilled, then plugged, can any more work really hurt that much?
  • JadeRareCoin
    JadeRareCoin Posts: 2,768 ✭
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    The problem that I have is that the seller did NOT disclose the fact that the coin was holed/plugged, then repaired again. He knows that it was reworked, but he says in the description that "the coin appears smashed". Give me a break.
    www.jaderarecoin.com - Updated 6/8/06. Many new coins added!

    Our eBay auctions - TRUE auctions: start at $0.01, no reserve, 30 day unconditional return privilege & free shipping!
  • LickThoseStamps
    LickThoseStamps Posts: 1,028 ✭
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    Worse than that..... In his Q&A he denies that it has been plugged.image
  • TommyType
    TommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    In his defense, he may be the second or third owner since the last sale, and really doesn't know it was holed/plugged.

    has the color been worked too? Hard to say from the Heritage pics. image
    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,338 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Why anyone would plug a perfectly good hole in a coin is beyond me.

    Right, Thiggy? image

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • Dismeguy
    Dismeguy Posts: 496 ✭✭✭
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    As with any coin on ebay, it is buyer beware..... but seller's should have some level of knowledge and credibility for representing their products, especially for a bust coin of this significance.
    Gerry Fortin's Rare American Coins Online Storefront and Liberty Seated Dime Varieties Web- Book www.SeatedDimeVarieties.com Buying and Selling all Seated Denominations....
  • Conder101
    Conder101 Posts: 10,536 ✭
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    << <i>In his defense, he may be the second or third owner since the last sale, and really doesn't know it was holed/plugged. >>


    Except that the plug still clearly shows in the eBay auction photos.
  • PerryHall
    PerryHall Posts: 47,758 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The seller is Richard Gross who is a Baltimore coin dealer. What kind of reputation does he have? Anyone here ever deal with him?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • Weiss
    Weiss Posts: 9,942 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The fact that he's attributed an obvious hole and plug to a "die crack" is pretty sad. Holes were put in coins in every location you can imagine. But I'd wager better than half were exactly where you or I would put a hole if we were so inclined: right about 12:00. See a good but uncertified coin with a "die crack", heavy thumbing, weak strike, etc. at 12:00, it should make you suspicious.

    We are like children who look at print and see a serpent in the last letter but one, and a sword in the last.
    --Severian the Lame
  • fc
    fc Posts: 12,805 ✭✭✭
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    very informative post, thank you.

    it is a good reminder never to trust the seller and get many many opinions from others.

    some dealers are sharks.
  • coinguy1
    coinguy1 Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭
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    << <i>The seller is Richard Gross who is a Baltimore coin dealer. What kind of reputation does he have? Anyone here ever deal with him? >>

    I know who he is and I believe he knows his stuff. I sent him an emailimage
  • Russ
    Russ Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
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    His Q&A answers are evasive enough to indicate that he knows damned well what he's doing.

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • tlhoy
    tlhoy Posts: 2,204
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    << <i>His Q&A answers are evasive enough to indicate that he knows damned well what he's doing.

    Russ, NCNE >>



    image The damn things plugged and IMHO he knows it image

    It is the same coin!

    imageimage
    imageimage
  • marmac
    marmac Posts: 1,534 ✭✭✭✭
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    This ebay users answers to direct questions are completely evasive and inexcusable. Regardless of the action he takes, whether he lists the problem pulls the auction, whatever,..... he should be keel hauled!!
  • tlhoy
    tlhoy Posts: 2,204
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    The seller ended this listing early because the item is no longer available for sale.

  • Conder101
    Conder101 Posts: 10,536 ✭
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    << <i>The fact that he's attributed an obvious hole and plug to a "die crack" is pretty sad. >>


    Well there IS a major die crack here as well. But yes he is avoiding mentioning the plug.
  • Nysoto
    Nysoto Posts: 3,833 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    This is one ugly coin, before and after. But I like ugly, rare, interesting coins, and bid $1600 at Heritage. The seller should disclose the plugging and other tooling. This is at least the second time on eBay from the same seller. An interesting example of a "broken cookie" die break found on many FH halves.
    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
  • majorbigtime
    majorbigtime Posts: 2,937 ✭
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    I believe seler's 1796 quarter may also be holed & plugged:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8347847377&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT

    Asked him/her a direct question--but no answer forthcoming.
  • Tarmac
    Tarmac Posts: 394 ✭
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    These 2 threads should be joined at the hip.

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