Did I get burned?

[scroll]

I bought a coin on eBay that was billed as a 1913 Barber Dine in XF40. The top scan is my scan of the coin and the bottom is the seller's pic on the auction. I'm not sure it's the same coin.

 

Also, what doesn't show up on either image is a 1/4 inch gash to the top left of the head. Would such a gash prevent it from being graded XF40? Other than that the coin appears to me to at least be VF or better (keeping in mind I'm still a green rookie in this hobby).

 

BTW what appears to be big scratches on the right side of the top image are actually on the plastic.

[reid1836]

I`d give it a fine-15 details with a net grade of vg-10.

[Hoot]

Looking carefully at the major marks on the rim and the darkened areas surrounding the letters, I'd say that you received the same coin.

 

However, the scratch would preclude a "problem free" grade. The coin is clearly scratched and the details do not appear to me to be what I'd expect from an EF40 coin. If the seller has a return policy, it would be good to take advantage of it.

 

Meanwhile, you may wish to begin such a collection sight-seen, i.e., in-person. Go to the closest coin shop and look at lots of coins, asking many questions as you go. When collecting circulated pieces, you'll want to steer clear of coins that have been cleaned, even in the distant past, coins with grime or residues on the surfaces, coins with corrosion, scratched coins, coins with rim dings (or other such problems), and coins that are overgraded. To learn more about these things, you'll need a good coin dealer (preferably more than one), and as much experience as you can gather by reading (e.g. the Red Book and some grading guides), taking ANA correspondence courses or classroom courses, and looking at many, many coins. Read all that you can and be patient in your pursuits.

 

Best of luck, Hoot.

[TomB]

The obverse details are at least VF25, however, the scratch is huge and really detracts from the piece. Sorry.

[kryptonitecomics]

In looking at the scan that the seller provided warning sirens should have gone off in your head. The picture is washed out and too small to grade the coin from so you took a big chance and it didn't pay off.

 

I agree with the others that it is the same coin, but that scratch on the face is a real shame. We live and we learn and none of us was born coin experts so as previously stated, go to some shows and educate yourself and then get back on that horse and buy some more coins.

[scroll]

As you say, live and learn.

 

Thanks for all the great comments folks! I agree that the scratch is a real shame. I was heart broken when I first saw it and expected it to be real bad news. But at least I didn't lose too much on it. In fact, after postage it would almost be cheaper to simply keep it. That's why I'm staying with the lower grade circulated coins for now unless they are PCGS or NGC. But the "sight seen" advice seems to make more sense than eBay for the near future.

[scroll]

Ok, I know I'm just learning but am I right that no way is this coin "high grade?"

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11959&item=3927596496&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

 

Would that be more like MS-6?

[jom]

Looks like Fido took a bite out of it.

 

Maybe you should stick with some ANACS graded material for the more expensive pieces. Also, LOOK at a lot more coins first before you buy any more and get a copy of a grading manual such as the ANA guide.

 

 

jom

[Smittys]

I agree with the others, on site seen is much better than not. But a good size and clear scan or photo can be used, stay away from small not clear pics usually trying to hide something.

I've seen many of my customers come in with coins like the one you got with the same problem, after the fact it's almost not worth it to send it back.

Hopefully you didn't pay to much.

Good luck on your future buys, don't let this one get you down.

Smitty

[coinman1794]

It's the same coin. Look at the spots on the cheek and in front of the face.

[michael]

you was robbed

 

but do not feel bad if i told you some of my experiences you would be sweating blood by now

 

coins is capitalism in its rawest form

 

it is too bad there is little integrity knowledge and responsibility left in the coin game

 

 

for me i would try to only buy coins sight seen in person from now on

 

michael

 

there is only one thing lower than most all coin sellers NOT ALL but most all

 

well i cant say in polite company

[errorist]

Never buy a coin with marks on it like that unless it is super rare.

[scroll]

You know, I've not really done too horrible picking eBay coins in the past, with the exception of Peace Dollars. And at least I did get my coins. But I'm trying to heed the good advice here in the near future.

 

I've just found out about someone who paid for some allegedly sealed mint sets who paid and the seller cashed the check, but then reported the guy as a non paying bidder after. The buyer sent a 2nd check without verifying if the 1st had cleared I assume. The 2nd was also cashed. Buyer still never got the mint set! And charged him too much for shipping to boot. And it wasn't the first time the seller had pulled this.

 

It "might" be that the seller is not very good at record keeping , due to the amounts involved, but I hear the seller is very rude which make matters worse. So maybe I've just been fairly lucky so far.

[errorist]

Hopefully, your luck won't run out as seems it did for LUCKOFTHEIRISH.

Whoever that fella was??

[scroll]

I'm new here. What happened?

[errorist]

Scroll,

They think this guy is a troll! It goes way back but in recent times he has been getting better. Hopefully, he will continue to improve.

[airplanenut]

Ok, I know I'm just learning but am I right that no way is this coin "high grade?"

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11959&item=3927596496&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

 

Would that be more like MS-6?

The coin there looks more like a VG-08... has a good amount of LIBERTY still visable. BUT, it has two cuts on the rim, and is a damaged piece. Personally, I wouldn't buy the coin because of it--they are NOT clips.

 

Jeremy

[scroll]

I was really just making a statement that some of these eBay sellers do not describe their offerings very well (to be generous). No, I don't think I'd even want it for a filler in a coin album. As you say, the cuts. I kinda like the post that blamed it on Fido.