dzuberbu

Hi all: I have done much more purchasing on E-bay than I really should have over the past year. And there has usually been some concern for counterfeits (we are talking 'recent' -- not 'contemporary') -- where a 'contemporary' counterfeit would be one that was minted in the same approximate era as the original -- 'recent' meaning that is was very recently manufactured and the coin itself might be from any era (or in some cases, non-existent). Now because I'm still 'novice' -- I can't say that viewing an image on E-bay will be definitive -- meaning, I doubt that I can recognize a counterfeit from an genuine coin based on an electronic image. Summary: I'm somewhat disinclined to purchase on E-bay. And this has been a topic forming in my mind for quite some time -- but, the issue became much more focused to me today. I was 'cruising' as usual, and happened across a number of dealers that were selling coins that are very popular (Victorian crowns, english 8-reales, US Morgans, Indonesian pesata, .. and others). In their defense, they did not advertise them as 'genuine' -- in the description it says 'reproduction' and it references Chinese Miao silver (which is an alloy that contains about 2% silver, and more of copper and nickel). So ... I impart two things: Unless most of you have a better sense from 'visuals' than I get, it's really difficult to tell from an image whether or not the coin is genuine. I commend these dealers for being forthright in their presentation (you would be challenged to even find these entries searching by usual criteria) -- but at the same time, it does open my eyes to the possibility that certain less than reputable folks might purchase these coins (knowing that they are fake) and then resell them on E-bay. By the way, I did purchase several of these items -- simply because I wanted some 'genuine fakes' with which to compare my other stuff. Some of them are really good -- some of them are almost humorous (like when the obverse is for an entirely different coin than the reverse is). But, I am less inclined to purchase from E-bay as a result. Again, I appreciate the honesty of the seller -- because they really don't present any real intention of fraud -- but, the coins are essentially 'counterfeit' in the respect that they do not indicate on the coin itself that it's a fake. ./dz

Hi all: And I do not wish to disagree with those more knowledgeable than myself. However, there is a small group of 'specialist' collectors who rather dig this sort of thing (I'm on the fringe). So I would say that for the majority of collectors, the preceding comments are true. But there are those who rather value such anomalies -- although I'm not certain they necessarily wish to pay a premium for them. I have a few 'die break' and 'planchette failures' in my collection. The most dramatic is actually quite interesting and probably one-of-a-kind (I wish I knew how to post pictures). ./dz

Hi one and all: I hope that this topic isn't redundant. If it is, please tell me and I'll do what is necessary per your advice to connect it to whatever might already be existing. I am completely new to joining forums, posting questions and/or comments, etc. However, I'm not entirely new to collecting -- but still have to consider myself a novice. I'm interested in anyone who is willing to share 'secrets' of bulk purchasing. I'm not unfamiliar with search engines -- but most of what I've located on my own tends to leave me with an impression of 'not truly bulk' -- stuff well-picked over and already 'bulked' into lots by grade, etc. And usually carrying a significant premium. I just don't seem to 'connect' with what would appear to truly be a bulk wholesale contractor. I collect both British and US coins. My current 'interest' is in double-florins and Victoria crowns in the 1887 to 1900 range. And, I am a 'yank'. So there are the usual postage concerns with regard to British coins for me -- and ... quite apart from that ... it just seems that in my area of the US (Wisconsin), there just aren't a great deal of opportunities for locating the 'undiscovered treasure trove' -- regardless of whether US or British. Having said that ... and implying as well that there just simply are not a lot of trade sales, 'garage sales', (or 'boot' sales as the Brits might call them)... I am thinking that my only avenue is true 'bulk sales' that can be found online. So ... any and all replies will be appreciated -- whether it be to indicate that maybe I'm missing some opportunities, or for online opportunities, or whatever. Thanks in advance for any and all feedback. God save the Queen! ./dz