I have been collecting coins, and other antique objects for around thirty years. Until relatively recently, I have purchased from auction houses of long standing, such as Sotheby’s (and previous affiliations) and Christie’s business concerns as well as various specialist dealers. My familiarity with eBay goes back to 2001. I wish to address these particular thoughts&comments to those using eBay as a venue to purchase antique silver coinage of the Spanish Empire in the Americas, c. 1550-1821.

As a general caveat, it is best to remember that serves only “as a venue” to bring sellers and buyers together. This apparently serves to legally dis-associate the legal responsibility of the parent, governing financial interests of eBay from the day-to-day flummery that takes place under their general, but apparently ungovernable auspices. Therefore, the wise take heed:

There are fake coins being mass produced as I type. Mostly, they originate from Oriental sources, but they are distributed from Europe and North America. They are also sold by unscrupulous sellers who have purchased the coins, themselves unawares, and seek to make up their tardy edification at the expense of gullible neophytes on eBay.

There are some (perhaps many) sellers, even beyond the narrow topic of my guideline, who will stipulate, within their return policy, particular tip-offs that the coins they are selling are of suspect authenticity. Foremost - is the stipulation that the coin must be returned “within the sealed container”. There might be some explanation that a seller might offer for this enjoinder, but why should you be prohibited from examining your purchase, short of a metalurgical exam - which would entail a sectioning of the coin - before you are alerted to the coins counterfeit origin? The logic behind this qualification certainly eludes me, as might also you. I, personally,will no longer buy slabbed coins - or even plastic sealed examples.

Another tip-off that something isn’t quite right is a brief return period. Anything less then 7 days is the anathema. If you can’t return a coin within 7 days, hey - mebbe YOU should move to a bigger city where the pawn shops at least know what an 8 reale is. Or at least do some research and buy some scales.

Another is - hey, we guarnantee our coins. All sales are final. If you disagree, tuff luck. Who the hell are these people? Why does anyone buy anything from them? READ THE RETURN POLICY CAREFULLY. These are some quick and hard facts ANYONE buying ANY coins on eBay should consider. Remember: the money you lose is probably your own. Unless you marry well.