Replica Sovereigns Sold on eBay as Restrikes
Many eBay members offer imitation sovereigns misleadingly described as a restrikes.
thecoinhouse Selling Replica Sovereigns on eBay as Restrikes
eBay member thecoinhouse was offering an imitation sovereign misleadingly described as a restrike (restike). He is not the only one, eBay tends to be stuffed full of mis-described, mis-categorised, and over-hyped items offered by a myriad of dodgy dealers, some of whom should know better.
What Can We Say?
Let's start with the purely pedantic. The item title contains two spelling errors. It also states or strongly infers that the item is actually a sovereign, which it is not.
The spelling, grammar, and punctuation in the description are appalling.
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Vendor ID | Item Title | Category Listed | Brief Description | Price*
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thecoinhouse | LIMITED EDTION (sic) RESTIKE (sic) 1841 VICTORIA PROOF SOVEREIGN | Coins Coins British Victoria (1837-1901) Sovereign |
1841 Restrike Proof Sovereign
Limited Edition of 100 this is number 80
This is a quality restike (sic) by Pobjoy Mint, of this rare sovereign
comes with Certificate and Pobjoy mint box and protective outer sleve (sic)
these coins were made as getting some coin (sic) are (sic) so expensive due to rarity or a good example is very expensive
the dates known to restriked (sic) by Pobjoy Mint are 1818, 1819, 1838,1839,1841
This coin is 22ct Gold, 8 grams weight and 22.05 mm diameter
| £400
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Rip-Off Prices
Most eBay sellers ask what we consider to be ridiculously high prices for these replicas. Perhaps they genuinely believe that the low mintage figures actually make them rare or valuable. Whenever we acquire similar items, we try to describe them accurately, and also ask what we believe are sensible and realistic prices for them. Even then, this sort of stuff hardly ever flies off our shelves!
Misleading Descriptions
Real, bricks and mortar, old style businesses would probably go bust if they tried to run their businesses in the same way that most eBay dealers do. Apart from acquiring an early reputation for misleading and overcharging people, they would fall fall of consumer legislation in most countries.
Although the internet, and sites like eBay have made things better in many ways, they have opened up untold opportunities for small-thinking, small-time dealers to not only make a quick buck or two, but to keep getting away with it for a few years. If they get chucked off eBay, they can rejoin under a different name; some user maintain multiple IDs. Many of these dealers do not maintain the high ethical standards that other old-fashioned dealers do. Eventually most of them will fade away, but unfortunately will almost certainly be replaced by other similar chancers.
The title alone contains three pieces of misinformation. The item being offered is not a pattern, it is not a sovereign, and it is not even a coin.
The description itself contains an astounding sequence of 18 adjectives qualifying the falsehood that this is a sovereign. Not one of these adjectives includes any indication that the item is not a genuine original sovereign, but a modern reproduction or replica.
The only clue which might sound a warning to an alert or experienced buyer is the word restrike, but we believe that Pobjoy Mint were wrong to issue certificates with this euphemistic and misleading use of the word "re-strike". It should not be used as a valid excuse for sellers to embroider.
In our firm opinion, the entire description is intended to mislead non-experts in believing that the item is a genuine sovereign coin, and is rare and valuable. A genine original 1841 soverign in mint condition could be worth perhaps £20,000; this offer may tempt the gullible, naive, greedy or plain stupid into thinking they were about to miss a bargain.
The description should contain a clear and unambiguous statement to the effect that the item is an unofficial, privatley produced, medallic replica with no legal tender or other official status.
Semi-Literates
What many of these small dealers appear to have in common is a disregard for the English language. Most of them write in text speak, and often use either all capital or no capitals. A cockroach could have higher aspirations! Their attitude towards education, grammar, spelling, and other human beings seems to be "who cares?".
Pattern Sovereigns on eBay - Fools Gold
Every month another eBay crook (member) seems to have the bright idea of conning mugs and punters into buying these silver medallions as "Pattern Gold Sovereigns".
Other Copyright Abuse
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We already have a page naming and shaming dealers using our images without permission. It's time we did the same for eBay, although if we include them all, this could be a very long page.
Alphabetical Listing of Other Copyright Theft Sites
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thecoinhouse's eBay Item 290493801865
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