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A possible approach to eliminating "replicas" from ebay

FrankcoinsFrankcoins Posts: 4,572 ✭✭✭
Fake coins from China are able to be listed on ebay because the sellers photoshop "replica" on the
photo (even though they are supplying them WITHOUT any markings) These unmarked fakes,
as well as fakes in PCGS and NGC slabs have serious implications for the coin market, but eBay has
refused to do anything substantial to protect collectors from these forgeries, because the listings "seem"
to comply with the law.

An alternate approach is that most states have laws banning the possession of SLUGS, which can be used
in vending or slot machines..here is New Hampshire law, for example:

I. A person is guilty of a violation if:
(a) With a purpose to defraud the supplier of property or a service offered or sold by means of a coin machine, he inserts, deposits or uses a slug in that machine; or
(b) He makes, possesses, or disposes of a slug with the purpose of enabling a person to use it fraudulently in a coin machine.
II. As used in this section, ""coin machine'' means any mechanical or electronic device or receptacle designed to receive a coin or bill of a certain denomination, or a token made for the purpose; and in return for the insertion or deposit thereof, automatically to offer, provide, assist in providing or permit the acquisition of property or a public or private service. ""Slug'' means any object which, by virtue of its size, shape or other quality, is capable of being inserted, deposited, or otherwise used in a coin machine as an improper substitute for a genuine coin, bill or token.
Source. 1971, 518:1. 1990, 60:4, eff. Jan. 1, 1991.


Ebay is very willing to nationally ban legal items because they violate the laws of a few states, or globally ban
items (Nazi-related, for example) because they violate French law.

I think a campaign by the major grading companies and the PNG could use these various state laws against slugs to
force ebay to ban listing of all "replica coins" (at least those of coins currently in use, including large silver dollars, since
there are many slot machines that accept dollar size coins or tokens)

While trade of some replicas (possibly Gallery Mint stuff) would be prohibited by a policy change, Stuff like this HAS to be stopped:


image
Frank Provasek - PCGS Authorized Dealer, Life Member ANA, Member TNA. www.frankcoins.com

Comments

  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,946 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Dang good idea. I'll second that one for sure.

    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • ArizonaJackArizonaJack Posts: 4,029 ✭✭✭
    I emailed the seller on a replica auction, and was given the exact website you just posted the Morgan pic from.

    Coin without replica stamped on them, " just dont mention it on the paypal transaction"
    " YOU SUCK " Awarded 5/18/08
  • cinman14cinman14 Posts: 2,489
    is this a fake morgan...image

    We will do anything we can do to get YOU satisfied

    image

    image
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,624 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If eBay enforced the U.S. Coin category policy and didn't allow anything in there but U.S. Coins, it would solve the problem of replicas and copies. All coins that are not authentic U.S. Coins should be banned. It's false advertising listing such in a U.S. Coin category.

    I can understand listing a variety under "error".... but , this replica and copy image in the U.S. Coin category is just wrong. Sorry guys. If you're listing medals and such in the coin category, that is unacceptable in my view.
  • ArizonaJackArizonaJack Posts: 4,029 ✭✭✭
    There IS a catagory for replicas....nobody uses it
    " YOU SUCK " Awarded 5/18/08
  • FrankcoinsFrankcoins Posts: 4,572 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If eBay enforced the U.S. Coin category policy and didn't allow anything in there but U.S. Coins, it would solve the problem of replicas and copies. All coins that are not authentic U.S. Coins should be banned. It's false advertising listing such in a U.S. Coin category.

    I can understand listing a variety under "error".... but , this replica and copy image in the U.S. Coin category is just wrong. Sorry guys. If you're listing medals and such in the coin category, that is unacceptable in my view. >>



    There is even a separate category for replicas that is supposed to be used, but ebay only acts if there are
    complaints. Of course, it's much better for the hobby to try to get other PCGS forum members' SEGS slabs
    or Daniel Carr patterns cancelled.
    Frank Provasek - PCGS Authorized Dealer, Life Member ANA, Member TNA. www.frankcoins.com
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭
    There's already a "Replica" category. Maybe if some of the people who are spending their time reporting legitimate sellers for minor policy violations would report these Chinese "replicas" as being listed in the wrong category, some of the listings might actually get removed.
  • dogwooddogwood Posts: 1,935 ✭✭✭✭
    I sent a complaint email to ebay that at a very minimum, these Chinese fakes are counterfiets and as such should be banned. No response from ebay of any kind, no "thanks we'll look into it", nothing.
    We're all born MS70. I'm about a Fine 15 right now.
  • howardshowards Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭


    << <i>is this a fake morgan...image

    We will do anything we can do to get YOU satisfied

    image

    image >>



    Hey, that's the rare "Hot Chin" variety.
  • I love the photos of his "B&M": Here
    Successful BST purchases from: WaterSport, commoncents123, Hyperion, mozeppa, Mar327, coinlieutenant, Placid, MFH, fishteeth, FilthyBroke, SilverEagles92, illini420, barberman55, pcgs69 (2x) & 123cents

    History of the US Constitution Coin Set
  • vplitevplite Posts: 1,385 ✭✭✭


    << <i>is this a fake morgan...image

    We will do anything we can do to get YOU satisfied

    image

    image >>



    Gee, they are getting netter and better at making fake US coins. Is there anything in particular that allerted you to the possible lack of authenticacy of this coin. I specialize in Morgans and would like to know.

    Thanks in advance.
    The Golden Rule: Those with the gold make the rules.
  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    You folks are all paranoid. I can't imagine any hobby with a paranoia level higher than this hobby. Haven't you seen a weakly struck morgan before? image

    (ducks)

  • Instead of posting the goofy photo above (which was funny) but not what we're talking about, why not look at the Morgans, plated in silver, with ware to make them look authentic.

    If these are the type where the word replica is only photoshopped on, these might not fool the experienced collector but, when beginners plunk down money when these counterfeits are resold as authentic, that hurts the hobby.

    image


    image

    image
  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    As much as i'd like to think that a good Lawyer could hassle eBay with various legal threats such as you mention...

    I wonder if eBay's Lawyers have already seen this coming and have taken steps to mitigate that threat? I wonder if the DMCA has any role in protecting eBay from those legal threats?

    You are probably correct that it will take some sort of legal action to halt eBay from being a venue for criminals. But I don't think it will stop the criminal activity; the Good Fight will move somewhere else.

  • This is how to report a counterfeit coin to Ebay so that the ANA and the coin watchers group are both notified.

    Just send a direct email to EBay Trust and Safety, this method seems to work better than the violations link method, we use it in the Ancient Coin Forums. Send mail to: rswebhelp@ebay.com

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