victor382 Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 Hi RWB. You are right about the equipment. Kinda scarry stuff. I hesitate to send it to NGC as the worst thing for me to let myself to believe that it is real just for a punch on the face at the final step. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 Actually, the worst thing for you to do is absolutely nothing and never knowing whether the coin was real or not for the rest of your entire life. 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J P M Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 On 2/1/2024 at 6:45 PM, victor382 said: Hi RWB. You are right about the equipment. Kinda scarry stuff. I hesitate to send it to NGC as the worst thing for me to let myself to believe that it is real just for a punch on the face at the final step. There may be no one out there that you can depend on to tell you if it is real or not without holding it in hand. NGC will, so you can go through the rest of your days without wondering. Your choice ? Henri Charriere 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor382 Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 Hello Henry and JPM, You almost convinced me. I have never sent them anything, so I probably will do it this time. I still give 90% to fake and 10% for the miracle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J P M Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 On 2/1/2024 at 7:31 PM, victor382 said: Hello Henry and JPM, You almost convinced me. I have never sent them anything, so I probably will do it this time. I still give 90% to fake and 10% for the miracle. Well, the only question no one has asked is did you buy this face to face from a dealer in Japan or online sight unseen. And was it so cheap you could not say no. Those are important factors only you can answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor382 Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 GM. I'll be honest with you: got it from auction on EBay, 1K +tax. That's another reason not to be optimistic about this deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 On 1/28/2024 at 2:14 AM, victor382 said: What would I do if pro said no? I'll cross that bridge when I come to it… Almost there... "that's the signpost up ahead -- your next stop, the Twilight Zone!" To submit, or not to submit. That is the question. You are concerned about throwing more good money after possibly bad. Plenty of folks have gone through the experience. The thrill of victory vs the agony of defeat. While we await more opinions, I would be very curious to know what it was about this coin that prompted you to commit yourself to its purchase, uncertified, at that cost, from an overseas location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor382 Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 Well, he had very good Russian coins as well and they were certainly authentic. I started in a bidding process which as you know has magnetic effect on your brain almost like possibility to win in casino. I guess competition makes one little more stupid and risky at the moment. That’s all Henri Charriere 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 On 2/2/2024 at 2:33 PM, victor382 said: Well, he had very good Russian coins as well and they were certainly authentic. I started in a bidding process which as you know has magnetic effect on your brain almost like possibility to win in casino. I guess competition makes one little more stupid and risky at the moment. That’s all You've described me to a T. Identical experience. By dint of sheer luck, I assembled and completed a collection. In the beginning, I bought raw, vowed I would never have anything to do with slabs, but made the transition when I signed up as a member -- and then discovered the Set Registry. The only difference is I stuck to slabs and buying from reputable, long-established businesses. I do not know if I could have done what you did. I took calculated risks. We need more input on this topic. What I would like to know is, short of submission, is there another unexplored option here that ought to be pursued? We need opinions from experienced professionals, graders, former graders, etc. who can put themselves in your shoes and suggest another course of action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor382 Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 Hi Henry, thanks for sharing your story. Opinion of professional is hard work and i doubt they are sitting on the chat, looking for opportunity to volunteer spending hours on research and giving free advice. I’ll upgrade my account so I can send the coin for inspection. Not much difference from buying a lottery. You know that you never going to win and you still buy and keep your silly hope. Same logic here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J P M Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 On 2/2/2024 at 3:39 PM, victor382 said: i doubt they are sitting on the chat, looking for opportunity to volunteer spending hours on research and giving free advice. The funny thing is many of the members here do exactly that. It is just some coins are almost imposable to grade from pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 On 2/2/2024 at 7:36 PM, J P M said: The funny thing is many of the members here do exactly that. It is just some coins are almost imposable to grade from pictures. True. Some are retired, have moved on, and drop in from time to time to share their experiences and knowledge. We've had a few surprise guests over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 (edited) I have taken the liberty of reaching out to a member, MF, whose intermittent presence on the various forums goes back almost 20 years, explained the situation here hoping he would simply volunteer his first impression, got a fairly quick professional response stating his forte was U.S. coins, exclusively. I was hoping for nothing more than a second opinion from a gentleman who's seen his share of coinage, but it was not to be. As a fellow member with no axe to grind, I have run out of options. However, I remain optimistic and wish you the best of luck! I still have a good feeling about that coin. Edited February 5 by Henri Charriere Insertion of one word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor382 Posted February 5 Author Share Posted February 5 Thank you, guys! I appreciate your will to be involved and help in any way or shape or form. It means a world to me. I'll keep you all posted about this coin. As I said previously, I am ready for anything. At the end - our entire life is a pure gambling. We take chances with almost every decision we make. Without it we all would be a vegetable. So, no matter what happens, I'm glad that this crappy coin has connected me with you - wonderful and passioned people. Thank you, friends! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmarguli Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 On 2/2/2024 at 7:20 AM, victor382 said: GM. I'll be honest with you: got it from auction on EBay, 1K +tax. That's another reason not to be optimistic about this deal. And I got this coin (raw) off eBay for $99. It was listed among a sea of fakes. I won an unlisted Germany pattern coin CERTIFIED BY NGC for under $25. Lots of deals slip through the cracks on eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAuPzlBxBob Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 Knowing little about this coin, went to NGC's World Auction Archives and found it. Really beautiful coins can be seen there, but they cost an arm and a leg when they have the bluish iridescence. Damn, they're gorgeous. I can live without one, though, when photos can be seen for free. Henri Charriere 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor382 Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 Hey everybody. I sent the coin to NGC and it looks like FedEx had lost my package. They said that "investigation" has started. BS. J P M, Sandon and GoldFinger1969 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 On 2/12/2024 at 12:21 PM, victor382 said: Hey everybody. I sent the coin to NGC and it looks like FedEx had lost my package. They said that "investigation" has started. BS. What was the last entry recorded on the tracking itinerary? Did you use their own box or envelope with sufficient padding? (I am not going to ask you what you insured it for.) I am sorry to hear this happen on your first submission. Let's wait and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VKurtB Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 On 2/12/2024 at 11:21 AM, victor382 said: Hey everybody. I sent the coin to NGC and it looks like FedEx had lost my package. They said that "investigation" has started. BS. I REALLY REALLY wish I didn’t see that coming, but hey, it’s FedEx after all. “When it absolutely positively needs to get lost.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor382 Posted February 13 Author Share Posted February 13 Hi, guys, to say the least I'm f@king speechless and still in disbelieve. I'll update you if anything positive happens. Thank you all for your input and camaraderie. GoldFinger1969 and Henri Charriere 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenntucky Mike Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 FedEx may have unintentionally bailed you out of a potential $1,000+ loss, not as good as if the coin turned out to be authentic, which I'm still skeptical of, but you wouldn't be out anything either as long as the package was properly insured. Just saying. Hopefully they find the package, the coin makes it to NGC, and it turns out to be authentic. GoldFinger1969 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmarguli Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 On 2/13/2024 at 2:38 PM, Fenntucky Mike said: FedEx may have unintentionally bailed you out of a potential $1,000+ loss, not as good as if the coin turned out to be authentic, which I'm still skeptical of, but you wouldn't be out anything either as long as the package was properly insured.. Key is "properly insured". Many people list declared value and think that is for insurance. It is not. You have to specifically buy insurance. FedEx also limits insurance for coins to $1,000. Every time I used FedEx, I remember why I previously stopped using FedEx. . GoldFinger1969 and Fenntucky Mike 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 (edited) On 2/14/2024 at 7:39 PM, gmarguli said: Key is "properly insured". Many people list declared value and think that is for insurance. It is not. You have to specifically buy insurance. FedEx also limits insurance for coins to $1,000. Every time I used FedEx, I remember why I previously stopped using FedEx. . FWIW: in referring to an NGC submission form, I noticed they use a Post Office Box. Searching the subject of deliveries to POBs by FedEx, I came across the following: "The only way to deliver to domestic P.O. boxes is to select FedEx Ground Economy... and... FedEx can deliver to a P.O. BOX with its FedEx SmartPost option -- which uses the USPS in the final stage of the delivery process. I seriously doubt that technicality is responsible for the current snafu, but it's well worth bearing in mind. I have always sent cash thru the mails -- at PCGS its a standard option which I have made use of, without incident -- but I do not encourage it for the squeamish. As I also do not insure on my end, I would be curious to know whether any shipment bears a hand-stamp indicating its contents have been insured? I still remain optimistic that if properly addressed and packed, the OP's shipment will be found and sent on its way. I also remain optimistic about the coin because a member and owner of one, in finer condition, viewed the same photos you, I, and everyone else did and without equivocation, gave the example the green light. 🤞 Edited February 15 by Henri Charriere Delete extraneous word. GoldFinger1969 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor382 Posted February 15 Author Share Posted February 15 (edited) Edited February 15 by victor382 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor382 Posted February 15 Author Share Posted February 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldFinger1969 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 On 1/27/2024 at 4:36 PM, Fenntucky Mike said: First things first, is it a counterfeit? According to NGC this is the 9th most counterfeited coin.! Wow, it's not a coin I am too familiar with, surprised it is that high in the (global) counterfeit rankings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldFinger1969 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 (edited) Don't they track the item at all handoffs and locations ? I mean, the packages for USPS, FedX, and maybe even UPS now seem as secure as an inter-office manila envelope. If you track the package at all locations (their delivery guys now have hand-held location computer things) and also have cameras on all truck loadings/unloadings, I would think no hanky-panky could take place. Do we need RFID chips embedded in each package to determine where and when it was lost/stolen ? Too many items are being lost. And I wonder if someone is wise to cash and/or currency/coins going to certain locations and realizing they can "intercept" the package. And FedX and these other delivery sites don't help themselves with websites that are useless. My uncle overnighted a package over Memorial Day 2021 (never good to send over a long weekend, FYI) and it got lost in or near Newark on its way to another part of NJ. Nothing irreplaceable but we were on a schedule and had to re-submit papers. Meanwhile.... I was checking the FedX website with the tracking number and for 2 weeks it was telling me "YOUR PACKAGE ARRIVED IN NEWARK ON FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 and is scheduled for delivery on Tuesday June 1, 2021" It said that on Friday May 28th...and it said the same thing days and WEEKS later !! The dates were in the past, but the stupid website wasn't aware...and no, the CSRs weren't able to track it down so we just re-sent. Clueless..... Edited February 15 by GoldFinger1969 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri Charriere Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 I am furious! There were some incidents I recall from the past that were concerning, but this is neither the time nor place to discuss them. I never entertained the idea of this occurring. Does FedEx ship to its central hub in Memphis first and then route to specific locations? Where was it last scanned? Members may recall my experience with CBP seizing my shipment from Europe and having FedEx hold it for a ransom until I supplied them with my legal name, DOB and SSN -- over the phone, or else my shipment which they claimed had no documentation or return address would be returned. I paid the nominal sum demanded and only then received the shipment which tellingly was addressed properly, accompanied by complete documentation -- and had never been opened. FedEx accept a shipment with no return address? Poppycock! Where exactly was your package last seen? GoldFinger1969 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWB Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 The fair market value seemed to be about $10,000, but insurance will pay only up to the declared value. Hope this all works out. Very frustrating. GoldFinger1969 and Henri Charriere 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zadok Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 ...fedex insurance does not cover rare coins regardless of declared value.... GoldFinger1969 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
