Late Roman Bronze Coins

General discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Victor on August 10, 2016, 04:39:17 PM

Title: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on August 10, 2016, 04:39:17 PM
this is not an LRB, but it was the silliest listing that I have seen in while, so I had to post. The seller is asking $32,500 for this coin, his description below-


augustus caesar nummis larg Bronze 27bc-130 AD.

"I can not find it on the internet. Took it to a coain dealer how says he would have gave me his shop for it. Please look at inb revew. They are know for cleaning old coins. Witch makes them less worthey. Also since i saw the same coin which looks worse than this one. Go for over 60,000. I know its worth alot of money. But i think this coin is cursed. So buy it at ur own risk."
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on February 09, 2017, 12:26:13 PM
I found this listing to be pretty ridiculous. Somebody slabbed a worn Valens that might be worth $5 on a good day and has listed it for $150...if you can't wait, buy it now for $200.

He is also selling a Theodosius I in similar condition for $130 or BIN of $175

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on June 24, 2017, 07:03:47 PM
highrating_lowprice on eBay is notorious for his selling tactics- overpricing then lowering to a still overinflated buy it now in an effort to trick people into thinking they are getting a deal.

below is just one of his many listings, a Galerius GENIO IMPERATORIS; which might be worth $25. He has it originally priced at $325, but you can buy it now, for $87.25.

I don't know if it is true, but I heard a few years ago, he was turned down when he applied to become a Vcoins dealer. I guess it depends on whether you think his listings are unethical.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on July 14, 2018, 02:24:19 PM
Here's a Ticinum VLPP with a Greek cross on the altar with an opening bid of $500. If you are worried about not getting it, the BIN is $2,500.

I am thinking about...I just wish it was a better picture.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on December 27, 2018, 01:47:13 PM

Here's an "Ancient Roman bronze coin,extremely rare and super high grade ////10"

opening bid of EUR 299 or a BIN of EUR 999


RIC actually rates this coin as common

Maximinus II
A.D. 312
21x22mm    5.2gm
IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS PF AVG; laureate head right.
SOLI INVICTO; Sol standing left in long robe, right hand raised, left hand holding head of Serapis; S in left and ✶ in right field.
In ex. ANT
RIC VI Antioch 167b
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on February 03, 2019, 05:09:48 PM
I am not sure if this guy is serious or only joking...but at least the shipping is free.


Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on May 19, 2019, 03:44:20 PM
a Bonosus for sale for only US $2,228.82 ... I must stress BoNOsus  ;D

How come so many people that find a near slug of a coin immediately think it must be a super rare coin, rather than something like a very common Victorinus? Maybe a combination of greed and stupidity.

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on May 28, 2019, 10:39:13 PM

what is wrong with this seller?  ???
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on September 02, 2019, 08:42:23 PM
this coin is a nice example, but the price is ridiculous and his "threat" to relist after NGC grading at a much higher price.

"Extremely Fine (see photo); ex Ibelgica. Around September, if not sold, I will remove this choice coin from the Ebay auction market to have it evaluated/graded by the Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (N.G.C.). Once I do that, the coin will return to Ebay ONLY at a price much higher than its current sale price. BUY IT NOW ! In this rare EXTREMELY FINE condition this almost 1700 year-old coin is priced-to-sell...don't let the opportunity slip away!Please see ALL my reviews to verify that I ONLY sell items exactly as advertised. Thanks!"

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on September 11, 2019, 11:32:45 AM

here's a GENIO POPVLI ROMANI con for GBP 1,0000
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on January 12, 2020, 02:55:38 PM

$1,000 for an unofficial FEL TEMP

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on July 15, 2020, 01:02:17 PM
Not for sale on eBay, but pretty ridiculous. The seller thinks that the wavy line on the top of the cuirass is an eagle with spread wings and is asking $1600 for it. Second picture is a clearer example of the cuirass for comparison.

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Gavin on July 15, 2020, 04:22:36 PM
At least the seller didn't give it a Cheetos "patina."
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on July 15, 2020, 04:38:01 PM
the seller has said that he has stopped listing artificially patinated coins.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Gavin on July 17, 2020, 02:03:04 PM
Well, this coin is among his “new items.” At least he states explicitly that the patina is artificial. I don’t like the practice. But to each his own.



Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on July 17, 2020, 03:47:43 PM
Yes, I think that was actually what he said, that he would make it clear when coins had artificial patinas. I don't ever look at his stock, except when something pops up in a search.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on August 01, 2020, 03:21:21 PM

an oppurtunity to acquire this "Rare!" coin for only $500

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on August 11, 2020, 04:37:37 PM

maybe worth $500 if it was Constantius II instead of Gratian.

In his defense, the flip is for Constantius II.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on August 28, 2020, 02:01:35 PM

auction description---

"Vary old Roman Coins, dont know much about them just know there vary old and worth alot so im selling them on here so someone can take them off my hands and possibly make better use out of them, shoot me a offer"
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on August 30, 2020, 02:13:27 PM
this guy has several really nice coins listed on eBay, however if you read his description--

"Note: this is nit [sic] the exact coin you will receive. The coin will be on F-VF grade!!!"

he currently has 2-3 other similar listings.

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on October 03, 2020, 02:24:51 PM
it might seem expensive with a buy it now of $6,340; but "10% of the sale of this item will benefit World Museum of Mining" 

this allows the seller to advertise his listing as benefitting a charity  ::)

it is also an "Official eBay for Charity listing"  ???

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on October 06, 2020, 02:06:12 PM

This isn't a ridiculous listing, but ridiculous bidding. You see this far too often-- bidding wars. This coin sold for $75, mainly due to "1918" who bid 20 times!

pro tip- bid once and walk away.

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on October 16, 2020, 11:01:38 PM

it's a fake; but 10% is going to the Red Cross

it's becoming more common for crooks on eBay to advertise that a percentage of the sale will go to a charity.

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on November 03, 2020, 01:00:32 PM

Here's a listing for a fake Postumus with a start over $2,000 and shipping is another $232.73

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on November 11, 2020, 01:45:15 PM

here's a coin with an opening bid of GBP 1,000.00 or $1,324.80.

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on December 20, 2020, 11:37:16 AM

$1,400 might seem expensive, but according to the listing, it is "Impossible to find"

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on January 31, 2021, 01:16:06 PM

an oppurtunity to acquire this fake for $10,000.

offered by known fake seller stamgeorg

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Heliodromus on January 31, 2021, 01:24:25 PM
Seems like a never ending opportunity. With enough patience the opportunity comes along to buy it in silver and bronze too!

I notified Jean Elsen they were selling one of these back in December, and they promptly removed it.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on January 31, 2021, 01:48:18 PM

it's sad that an experienced auction company would offer this fake.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on February 18, 2021, 02:09:30 PM
same coin listed twice with different prices

he has the same description for each, so its not a wrong picture for one listing.

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Heliodromus on February 23, 2021, 07:13:35 PM
https://www.ebay.com/itm/330-340-AD-Constantine-I-Billon-Nummus-Romulus-Remus-She-Wolf-NGC-Ancients-Coin/363302408488

$1 coins in $20 slabs asking $44.95 each, free shipping. More than 10 available.

Roughly speaking they'll need to sell at least half of them just to break even on the slabbing cost (1 sale pays for 2 slabs).

Seems like NGC is the only one going to make any money from this.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on February 23, 2021, 07:32:01 PM
I really dislike the practice of slabbing these low grade ancients...that coin is a borderline cull and not even worth the price of the slab.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Severus on February 24, 2021, 01:24:54 PM
What's sad is that this is actually one of the better ads of this type... the price is "only" $45, not hundreds of $$, the description of the ad is technically accurate and truthful -- even disclosing that the photos are stock -- and he's got 12,000 positive feedbacks with almost no negatives, so his customers are presumably satisfied with his products and service. I mean, at an average $45/coin, that represents over $500,000 of merchandise. Sad as it is, there is evidently a market for "I want to own an ancient coin but I don't know anything about them and don't want to learn, I just think owning an ancient coin is cool!!" and sellers like this are just responding to it.

I also question why NGC continues to slab coins like this. When NGC "relaunched" their ancients service it seemed like their goal was to create a "serious" service, what with hiring David Vagi and such, but it seems like most of the slabbed coins out there are coins like this and it really waters down what I think they want their brand to be.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on March 16, 2021, 01:55:18 PM

if this coin really was an argenteus, the price would be great, but...

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on March 23, 2021, 06:41:58 PM
only $350

that's the best and worst thing about eBay...anybody can sell on it.

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on March 30, 2021, 03:15:18 PM
only $350

that's the best and worst thing about eBay...anybody can sell on it.


 he lowered it to $200

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on April 05, 2021, 02:30:38 PM

a cheap reproduction for $1000; but he does say-- "DON'T KNOW FOR SURE,COULD BE FAKE,I'M NOT EXPERT."  ::)

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on April 20, 2021, 02:40:37 PM

$625 seems overly optimistic; but it does come with a spiffy COA!

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Gavin on April 20, 2021, 08:46:43 PM
Surprised to see that absurd pricing from Lucernae. They strike me as legit sellers, not “high-rating, low price” poachers.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on April 20, 2021, 09:10:30 PM

He's all over the place with his pricing. Sometimes he seems to think something is rarer than it actually is, like the coin below; which he describes as a rarer type with Hercules holding club over shoulder, when it is clearly Hercules leaning on club. He is only asking $250, which is a bargain compared to the Constantine II BEATA above.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Heliodromus on April 21, 2021, 07:43:30 AM
He's a good person, but I don't understand this pricing model.

I used to buy tons of stuff from Lucernae in the good old days of 10-15 years ago, and back then he used low minimum auctions. Maybe eBay was more active back then and these type of auctions were less of a liability for the seller than they are today.

Even now, his pricing is a mix of what seem like crazy prices such as this BEATA, and more reasonable ones such as this Licinius VO-TIS I bought from him a month or so ago for $114. It's got a beautiful dark glossy green patina.

Presumably when the occasional coin does sell at "crazy" prices it makes up for all the lost opportunity of the ones that don't sell, even though I find this hard to believe. Maybe his supply is more limited nowadays so this pricing strategy works better than a volume one?

A number of his recent listings have interesing before/after cleaning photos included - very skilled cleaning.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on April 21, 2021, 02:14:49 PM

this seller has a "barb" (though they don't know what it is) listed, and yes it is a nice example; but probably not worth GBP 450.00

the auction description--

"Bronze Antoninianus coins of the emperor Victorinus (268-270AD) are not generally rare however the coin for sale is not normal, find another one like it. According to RIC there are rare examples from an engraver who made the portrait image of Victorinus more artistic. No examples of such an image are given.
Victorinus coins of his normal portrait are shown for comparison. The portrait on the Victorinus coin for sale and photographed on cm/mm graph paper is totally different to the normal portrait and is therefore unlikely to be a forgery copy. It shows a more artistic image and is therefore considered likely to be one of those minted as such using dies from the engraver referred by RIC. It is believed to be very rare."
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Heliodromus on April 22, 2021, 08:28:51 AM
Is a price crazy if a customer is willing to pay it ?!

These NGC-slabbed Epfig hoard coins continue to get bid up to stratospheric prices. Here's a selection from April 15th.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯


Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on April 22, 2021, 09:22:42 AM
Yes, the hoard provenance combined with a pretty NGC slab is the perfect combination to inflate prices. I think a lot of the higher prices is from newer collectors or the casual collector that has a little of everything from ancient to modern. I am always a little surprised by how little some of the collectors on some boards seem to know about their coins before they buy them.

As I was responding I got this email about an Epfig example from Heritage that I was seriously outbid on-- $504

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Heliodromus on April 22, 2021, 10:16:38 AM
I guess too much money, and not enough sense. Why would someone not do a little price research before bidding ?

It's crossed my mind whether it might be money-laundering, but then "cheap" LRBs would seem an inefficient vehicle!
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on April 22, 2021, 10:32:34 AM

When I see some of the prices coins sell for (though I freely admit that sometimes I make crazy overpriced bids  ;D ) I am reminded of how I think of the past as a country (there is a language and customs to learn etc.) and I live in the fourth century-- my zip code is Constantinian. I have a lot of pretty good neighbors. However, I think (perhaps uncharitably) of some as tourists, just passing through, sometimes raising a ruckus and making a mess.  :D

Lately it's always tourist season.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Heliodromus on April 22, 2021, 10:43:59 AM
I like it - good analogy !  :D

Perhaps when this covid is over the tourists will go back to the beaches, giving us our town back ?
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on June 06, 2021, 05:28:05 PM
only $7050.00  ::)

maybe so expensive because it is a family heirloom--

"*This exact coin pictured above, has been in my family for over two centuries. Now, it’s the right time to live with a new family.* Warm Regards..."

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Gavin on June 07, 2021, 11:33:51 AM
C’mon Victor. You can't put a price on family. But if you could, it would be $7050.00.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on June 24, 2021, 01:46:28 PM

you shouldn't be selling ancients if you can't tell this is a modern reproduction--

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on August 11, 2021, 09:02:40 AM

from the listing--


*** EXTREMELY RARE !
*** We are 99.999% certain that this is the ONLY Barbarous (Ancient Imitation) Crispus coin known in existance !
*** We are 99.999% certain that this is the ONLY Barbarous (Ancient Imitation) VIRTVS - EXERCIT (Standard inscribed VOT/X flanked by two seated captives) coin known in existence !
* Absolutely Excellent (ALMOST PERFECT) attempt at Ancient Counterfeiting of RIC VII Siscia 113 (RARE (R4)).
* Almost All Design Elements are in the right place - Great attempt at imitating the Obverse & Reverse Legends along with the 2 Seated Captives - Look at it very carefully !
Kudos to the Ancient Counterfeiters !


Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on September 12, 2021, 01:23:18 PM

I posted this silly fake last year. The seller is still listing it for the same ridiculous price and 200 euros shipping...at least he is persistent!

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on September 17, 2021, 12:40:43 PM

A Maximianus CONCORDIA MILITVM advertised as being from 100 BC and listed for $340.

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on November 03, 2021, 11:44:10 AM

here's a mediocre Postumus for $949.98...it would have been really ridiculous if it was $950  ::)

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on November 23, 2021, 03:45:58 PM

a really crappy FEL TEMP for a BIN of $2,000...it's okay though-- 10% of the sale of this item will benefit Heifer International


"Unknown ancient coin. This was found in yard (in Arizona) during reseeding. What you see is what you get. So only bid if you want it.or if your a millionaire and don’t care. Either way. I only have cell for pics so sorry if not too clear. Had to get just right to see. It’s harder to see with naked eye. The head side looks the color of a old penny. The other side looks the color of a newish penny with some old penny color around edge.I am starting bidding at $1500 obo."
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on April 08, 2022, 11:42:17 AM

get it now for $4,000  ::)


Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on November 03, 2022, 02:42:50 PM
not listed on eBay...but pretty funny

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Gavin on November 03, 2022, 02:48:16 PM
Victor, what do you have against the great Civil War general George Washington?
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on November 03, 2022, 02:51:34 PM
Victor, what do you have against the great Civil War general George Washington?

I guess I am just upset that I missed this great rarity!  ;D
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on December 07, 2022, 05:11:17 PM
only $495

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on December 21, 2022, 05:18:28 PM
if it was actually a denarius I would so buy it  ;D
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on March 29, 2023, 04:03:02 PM
starting at $295, with a BIN of $389...free shipping though.
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on May 26, 2023, 12:38:22 PM
 ::)
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: six2ten on May 27, 2023, 03:07:56 AM
Well, it is an ‘erra’ coin so that must make it rare ;)
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on May 27, 2023, 01:01:05 PM
and he relisted it...for the same price.  :)
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on July 13, 2023, 02:23:33 PM
...only 8,000 known!

it's also Maxentius  ::)
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on July 25, 2023, 09:40:51 PM
an ancient coin from 1979...for an opening bid of $6000  ::)
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on August 05, 2023, 04:15:05 PM
here's a stripped bronze coin advertised as electrum

Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on February 18, 2024, 04:51:02 PM
 
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: six2ten on February 21, 2024, 04:01:15 AM
Well, it is priced Australian dollars, aka the South Pacific peso  ;)
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on February 21, 2024, 09:22:42 PM
so it's really a bargain  ;D
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on March 01, 2024, 03:30:36 PM
 
 
 
Title: Re: Ridiculous eBay listing of the day
Post by: Victor on March 05, 2024, 03:58:49 PM