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Anyone ever deal with great southern coin on Ebay?

Just wondering if anyone has purchased anything off of them. Their pictures appear to be slightly juiced or maybe it's just me. Also, they must have an endless supply of classic coins. I've never seen a dealer with a stock like them. Any info please post.

Tom

http://shop.ebay.com/greatsoutherncoin/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

Comments

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    lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,895 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have. Once or twice. No problem.
    Lance.
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    RyGuyRyGuy Posts: 1,478 ✭✭✭
    Do yourself a favor and don't!

    Here's some answers to your question -

    Yikes!

    Ouch!

    Ryan
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    drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,053 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No, and don't intend to.
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    JMWJMW Posts: 497
    They have expanded significantly over the last couple of years. I would find other sources.
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    Thanks for the info. I never buy raw on Ebay. I don't care who the seller is. I was just curious how someone could have so many "great" coins and not have them TPG. I would figure that if they wished to maximize on profits TPG would be the way to go. That is unless they want to get that buyer that thinks their getting a deal.

    Tom
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    GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 18,506 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I haven't had a problem... I bought a VF Barber Half and an AU Large Braided Cent from them. They do have some nice coins.
    BarefootJuan

    Positive BST Transactions with a bunch of members

    One man gathers what another man spills
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    WalmannWalmann Posts: 2,806
    I have to thank them, about four and half years ago I purchased a raw SLQ from them. It was both harshly cleaned and dipped, my first return on Ebay and really opened my eyes.
    They took the coin back saying it must have slipped through due to the large volume of coins they handle.

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    DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,040 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I have to thank them, about four and half years ago I purchased a raw SLQ from them. It was both harshly cleaned and dipped, my first return on Ebay and really opened my eyes.
    They took the coin back saying it must have slipped through due to the large volume of coins they handle. >>

    Yeah, that must have been what happened. image

    My only purchases from them have been PCGS-certified coins. Things have always been very smooth and professional.
    When in doubt, don't.
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    BoomBoom Posts: 10,165
    No, I never have but when I run across their items
    I find myself asking the very same questions. image
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    seanqseanq Posts: 8,823 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I just received a coin from them yesterday, this one, actually. The clip is genuine, but the coin sure looked full red in the photo and it sure looks red-brown in my hands. Not the biggest deal in the world but it did cost them a couple of stars in their feedback.


    Sean Reynolds
    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
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    << <i>I just received a coin from them yesterday, this one, actually. The clip is genuine, but the coin sure looked full red in the photo and it sure looks red-brown in my hands. Not the biggest deal in the world but it did cost them a couple of stars in their feedback.


    Sean Reynolds >>



    It looks like that coin was from tomscollectables not greatsoutherncoins
    BarefootJuan

    Positive BST Transactions with a bunch of members

    One man gathers what another man spills
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    BoomBoom Posts: 10,165
    I'm not the most camera savvy guy here but their images, along with hsturn,
    have certain "looks" to them ... like different type lens are being used.

    Next time any of you happen upon eithers' coin make note of this & if you know
    what's going on regarding type of lens, please share it with the rest of us.

    Pics are what sell coins or can ruin a perfectly nice coin's chances.

    Whatever type cameras they use, they sure work great! Sometimes SCARY nice!

    Beyond type cameras I feel the type lens used play huge roles in the way their coins look.

    Anyone care to offer an expert opinion or know for sure?

    Thanks.
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    A while back, I actually asked them what their photography methods were. I didn't expect a reply, and of course didn't get one. If anyone has any ideas, I'd like to know myself.
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    phehpheh Posts: 1,588


    << <i>I'm not the most camera savvy guy here but their images, along with hsturn,
    have certain "looks" to them ... like different type lens are being used.

    Next time any of you happen upon eithers' coin make note of this & if you know
    what's going on regarding type of lens, please share it with the rest of us.

    Pics are what sell coins or can ruin a perfectly nice coin's chances.

    Whatever type cameras they use, they sure work great! Sometimes SCARY nice!

    Beyond type cameras I feel the type lens used play huge roles in the way their coins look.

    Anyone care to offer an expert opinion or know for sure?

    Thanks. >>



    For at least some of his images he uses a Nikon D50 with a 60mm lens.

    Edit: Just to expand on this a little...

    image
    Link to the coin...

    Model: Nikon D50
    Focal Length: 60mm
    Shutter: 1/125
    Exposure: Manual
    Light Source: Tungsten (Temperature setting in the camera)
    Metering: Pattern
    Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2 Macintosh

    Don't everyone go ga ga over the fact he is using Photoshop for some level of post processing. While I may personally have doubts about the honesty of some of his images, the fact that it was processed in some way with Photoshop doesn't in any way weight the scales against him.
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    BoomBoom Posts: 10,165
    Thanks pheh. I don't know correct terminology when talking different lens types but
    just as years ago films came out in Panavision (wide angled for the Big screen),
    when I look at my loupe I see that one side is concave and the other convex.

    As opposed to a normal lens does the lens you refer to have a convex shaped lens
    or whatever it may be called? Note how hsturns' coins almost look like they are not flat
    but rather concave (bowl shaped). Does this make any sense or is otherwise applicable
    to the lens you refer to?

    Thanks.

    Spelling edit*
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    seanqseanq Posts: 8,823 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I just received a coin from them yesterday, this one, actually. The clip is genuine, but the coin sure looked full red in the photo and it sure looks red-brown in my hands. Not the biggest deal in the world but it did cost them a couple of stars in their feedback.


    Sean Reynolds >>



    It looks like that coin was from tomscollectables not greatsoutherncoins >>




    Nemmind, I'm reading impaired, the Lincoln above was from Gold Coast, not Great Southern. Sorry for the confusion.


    Sean Reynolds
    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
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    phehpheh Posts: 1,588


    << <i>Thanks pheh. I don't know correct terminology when talking different lens types but
    just as years ago films came out in Panavision (wide angled for the Big screen),
    when I look at my loupe I see that one side is concave and the other convex.

    As opposed to a normal lens does the lens you refer to have a convex shaped lens
    or whatever it may be called? Note how hsturns' coins almost look like they are not flat
    but rather concave (bowl shaped). Does this make any sense or is otherwise applicable
    to the lens you refer to?

    Thanks.

    Spelling edit* >>



    I am probably not the best person to answer this question. But perhaps what you are seeing is lens distortion combined with the angle the object was shot at. I don't think any lens created distortions should really be enough to create a bowl shaped coin though.
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    sinin1sinin1 Posts: 7,500
    their lighting and angles shots have XF silver coins look like Ch BU



    so if you end up being high bidder on much of their stuff, you overspent
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    From experience I think that most of their "gems" are artfully photograped AU's . They are good about returns though. Slabs from them would be fine.
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    BoomBoom Posts: 10,165
    Thanks for trying to clarify, pheh. I DO appreciate it.

    Yeah, I'd agree, sinin1, that lighting & angles have much to do with much

    but especially on hsturn's coin his coin pics make the coin surfaces appear

    rounded in something of a bowl shape

    I'm just a novice point- shoot & crop to size guy

    The BIG BOYS of digital photography could probably shed some light on this.

    Is there such a thing as a "fish-eyed" lens & if, by chance there IS - would
    it somehow apply to hsturn's pics? Not trying to single him out for anything
    but to me his coins' surface DO appear somewhat concave. Check 'em out!

    Does this make ANY sense at all? Whatever type camera/ lens - their pics
    always seem to make coins look really nice!

    Typo edit*
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    I have bought a slabbed coin from them and been very pleased.
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    I've cherrypicked a few certified Franklin varieties from them on Ebay. No problems.
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    adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    hsturn's photos look the way they do because he has one light closely set, illuminating his coins from the top. It 'blows out' the coin so that you cannot see the surface properly. And in some cases, it over-emphasizes the natural 'dish' shape of a struck coin. The fields of a washington quarters are especially enhanced by this poor lighting.

    A fisheye lens would not be a good choice for a coin, as they have a very wide angle of view (often 180 degrees from corner to corner). The coin would be a tiny thing in the center of the frame and you would have to crop the photo.

    I purchased a raw gold coin from hsturn. It was authentic, but it was cleaned.
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    I think they do a good job of enhancing their photographs or making their "gems" look so good.
    Perfect Transactions-Jamericon, bestclser1, DNADave, CoinAuctionsHelp, cucamongacoin, SeaEagleCoins(2), Walkerguy21D, tigermaroo, stainless, keets, pakasmom(2), ELKevvo, joebb1, bstat1020, Hmann, DRUNNER, BigJohnD
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    jdillanejdillane Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭
    those coins aren't TPG'd for a reason. I will say that I found hsturn to be forthright in response to questions I would ask about his coins.

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