I am into collecting coins, and have always wished to see more numismatic (collectible/rare-not bullion) coins available for sale in bitcoins. So, the other day I registered the domain name "bitcoinnumismatists.com" (for only 50 cents at www.networksolutions.com/Domains - take advantage of that deal before it expires!). I used a basic site site builder to create an interactive forum where users could post classified type ads ("wanted" and "for sale") of rare coins available for bitcoins.
I was happy to see that within a few days I already had a couple posts (I have advertised on this forum and only this forum). One was a "wanted" listing for pre-1933 US gold-no sketchiness with this one.
The next was a "for sale" listing for an 1889 Carson City Morgan Dollar graded AU 55 by PCGS. That coin is worth, conservatively, over $6,000 (http://www.ngccoin.com/poplookup/NumismediaPrice-Trends.aspx?c=17190&g=50).
Now, that was out of my price range so I asked the guy if he had any other coins. My thinking is if you have a coin such as this, you probably are a pretty avid collector. He said that he did not. Red-flag #1
I kept looking at the picture he posted (see ones below), and something just looked wrong. I took a couple of my coins in PCGS holders to compare. There was DEFINITELY something wrong. What pops out most, and what you will probably have the easiest time noticing is the spacing between letters/numbers/words. On the fake one, characters and words are spaced noticeably further apart than on a real one. Also, the slab is just different, and the coin contained in the holder looks like it is of poor quality and is definitely not an AU 50 coin. The scary thing is though, you REALLY have to be familiar with coins, etc in order to notice the imperfections. Just on one note, if you see a graded coin you want to buy, I would be happy to verify its authenticity for you (as long as pictures are in good clarity).
Now, please let me explain how this guy is such an idiot:
This thing will never sell, period (unless its to another STUPID scammer). He picked a fake $6,000+ coin to buy. Don't you think people at that level of collecting (not EVEN that level) can spot this fake from a mile away? And its not like you can sell it at a discounted price...grades standardize prices for coins. If his is even barely lower in price than a REAL 1889 Carson City Morgan, people MIGHT get suspicious
I found this gem, too: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/PCGS-AU50-1889-CC-Morgan-coin/666985659.html
Looks a little familiar I bet, huh?
Finally, please read our discourse on the forum, it will entertain you for 30 seconds
http://www.bitcoinnumismatists.com/forum.html#/20130503/pcgs-1889-cc-silver-morgan-dollar-au50-2590749/
Pictures:
HIS Fake:
photo sharing websites
Link to Another Fake:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/PCGS-AU50-1889-CC-Morgan-coin/666985659.html
A REAL one (remember spacing):
screen shot on pc
Sorry if that is in bad resolution.
Bottomline: Don't deal with this guy EVER and be careful about buying coins (ESPECIALLY Morgans). And finally, its kind of scary they have the ability to make these.