Current eBay dealer in Fake Coins: best66666

Reference: Fake Chinese Coin seller eBay ID best66666

I’ve been intending to do a write up on this eBay seller based in the Netherlands for a while, but only today have I found enough time to give them the treatment they deserve.

best66666 avatar

The seller best66666 can best be described as a seller of authentic junk coins (real coins that are in such poor condition that they are essentially worthless), authentic fakes of real coins usually made by casting from an original coin, and a small handful of authentic modern coins (such as PRC issues) thrown in just for good measure.

What to do about this eBay seller? Avoid them like the plague!

Many of their item descriptions contain very informative vignettes about the history behind the items, of course it’s the history behind the real items, of which their offerings are unmarked copies. The boldness of the lie only proves the truth of the saying, ‘The bolder the lie, the more people you can get to believe it.’ Some of their listings include in the description such phrases as ‘We guarantee all the items are as pictured!!!’ which is quite meaningless as to authenticity, or even ‘Authenticity guaranteed for all items!’ which can still be ambiguous, because what is authentic?

The normal understanding of ‘authentic’ as applied to coins and other historic artifacts means ‘the real thing’ in the sense of, ‘made at the time indicated by legitimate authorities.’

eBay item number: 252378727350

For example, a large, value-10 cash of the 大灌 Da Guan era of emperor Huizong of the Northern Song dynasty must be a copper coin cast by state authorities between the years 1107 and 1110 AD. This example which can be found in the seller’s current auction is described as ‘Silver Proof Coin Da Guan Tong Bao 1107-1110 AD Large 10-Cash ANCIENT CHINA’ in the title. The full description goes on to give the history of the real coins, and then they conclude with, ‘Weight: 17.5 grams; Size: 40.5 mm. Very Attractive black silver tone, Extremely Rare!’

If this coin were copper the weight and diameter could be correct. They neglect to advise the customer that there is no such thing as an authentic silver cash coin in any era of history. Their notice ‘Extremely Rare!’ is possibly the truest thing they are saying about this ‘coin,’ probably because they’ve only made one or two pieces.

Going back to the categorizations of what best66666 sells, we can summarise them by groups, and show examples.

Group I
Items that are numismatically authentic, but in extremely poor condition.

Group II
Items that are numismatically reproductions, usually made by casting from authentic originals.

This off-centre fake is an impossibility. Modern off-centres are caused not by the misalignment of the dies, but by the blank being off centre in relation to the dies.

Group III 

Items that are modern reproductions cast or struck with a high level of expertise.

Group IV
Items that are numismatically authentic, modern coins in decent condition.

IN CONCLUSION
If you are a collector of authentic coins, shop elsewhere.
If you collect modern reproductions, or are looking to fill holes in your collection with well-made copies of otherwise unprocurable coins (or coins you couldn’t afford to buy as authentic pieces), you might find something here.
If you expect the guarantees of authenticity from eBay or any seller on eBay who flaunts them, I expect you will get what you deserve.

The first rule of thumb in buying collectibles on eBay is,
‘If the seller has even one detectable fake in their auction, don’t buy anything from them.’

The second rule of them is,
‘Know your seller.’

Both rules assume as a starting point that you know your collectible.
If you are a newbie, ask a professional for guidance.
Most are willing to give it free.
I’m one of them.

Current eBay dealer in Fake Coins: hmhm7004

Reference: Fake Chinese Coin seller eBay ID hmhm7004

This seller of authentic fakes (yes, I know, it's an oxymoron) has a rather pedestrian selection, things we've seen before, both cash coins and charms, and copies of struck coins, both fantasies and fakes of real coins. There's nothing here to write home about.

The company is based in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and I have been told that two provinces, at least, excel in the manufacture of fakes: Sichuan and Shandong. Perhaps, in future, if I can gather enough specimens of known manufacturers, I can have a contest among them to judge whose fakes are the most authentic and well-made.

I'd love to actually visit one of the places that makes the cash coin fakes in the traditional way. With the coming of the Republic, cash coin production ceased, and there can't be anyone still alive who was a furnace worker from those days. Perhaps the methodology is well-documented in China.

Among the fakes out there I have seen every kind—struck cash with fake granular fields (usually raised polka dots), cast coins very poorly made by using a real coin as the 母钱 mǔ qián or mother cash, cast coins made using originals but more carefully, and cast coins which look as though a new 母钱 mǔ qián was used, possibly made by CNC machining. (I used to be a machinist and ran a Haas CNC mill making aluminum machinery parts, so I know what I'm talking about. See the photo at the end of this post!)

These last can be works of art. I have a few iron specimens in my collection of fantasy reign titles but in the most exquisite calligraphy, 草书 cǎo shū or Grass script, for example. Take a look.

Examples of well-made fantasies in my ‘black museum’ collection

Five Dynasties Period, IRON, 永安一百 Yǒng'ān Yībǎi, read RLTB,
a most unorthodox reading!

Of course, no such coin in any metal could have been produced in the Five Dynasties Period. Both the module and the calligraphy are wrong. Still, it's a beautiful piece.

Supposed tp be Northern Song, but no such reign title exists.
IRON, 犷明重宝 Guǎngmíng Zhòngbǎo,
I am not really sure of the first two Chinese characters.

Both these ‘coins’ were described by the seller as ‘Iron Mother Cash’. The first is 37mm in diameter, and the second is 40mm, both impressive pieces, and very well-made.

Northern Song Dynasty, 重和通宝 Chónghé Tōngbǎo,
IRON, 35mm, described as ‘Mother Cash’.
No authentic original exists in 草书 cǎo shū or Grass script.

Remember, the three examples given above are NOT from the seller we are outing in this post. They are not from hmhm7004. I cannot now remember the seller I bought them from, but I did record what I paid for each. The first cost me USD $2.50, and the other two cost me USD $1 each. I hope I don't have to tell you that this was an incredible bargain.

Fakes for sale today at hmhm7004's auction on eBay

I am not going to comment on why they are fakes. If anyone has a question, you can email me at normanfgorny@mail.com, or you may leave a comment. I am going to limit myself to only ten pieces from this seller's auction. As far as I can tell, nothing is authentic, everything is modern-made. I will show you the best.

Taiping Rebellion charm, collectible

One of several large cash with circular inscription reverses,
collectible if you like all that bulk

Ryukyu Islands fake, not worth having

Dastardly and fantastic 'play money'

Nice work, but too precise, please recycle!

Last emperor pattern, but a fake, collectible if you don't care
and are just a Pu Yi fan

Good luck, hum hum seven thousand four!

Well, that's all I have time for tonight. I am still amazed at the industry that is going on right under our noses. At least none of today's fakes are deceptive, unless, of course, you're a newby to numismatics. If you are, please note: Caveat Emptor — that's Latin for Let the Buyer Beware!

C'est moi at my fuddy duddy best, a real poser!
Retired as of March 1, 2015.

Current eBay dealer in Fake Coins: junguoxu2011

Reference: Fake Chinese Coin seller eBay ID junguoxu2011

This dealer repeats the mistake that others made a few years ago when I first started outing Chinese sellers of fake cash. He includes a photo of a dig where coins are shown being dug up and poured out in huge piles. Yes, this really does happen. But then he makes the mistake of showing bulk quantities of the coins he is selling. Since the photo of the real coins is far too small to see the details, he thinks he can get away with it. Here, let's take a look!

The dig.

The dealer's bulk lots. You can order bulk coins from this pile: 20 pieces for $15, 50 pieces for $30. Using the same image, he calls the 20 for $15 offer Chinese old coins, etc., and the 50 for $30 he calls coins dug up in Java. Well, I've been to Java and seen what coins are dug up there and, believe you me, these are NOT them!

Here's a closeup.

And here's a typical sample of what you might get if you order.

Every coin pictured above is guaranteed fake. Guaranteed by whom? Well, it should by the seller. He should be honest and tell us something like this:

Well-made modern reproductions of ancient and medieval Chinese historic coins, lightly artificially patinated, for decorative use, or for student education in numismatic science. Can supply specimens from all dynastic periods at reasonable prices.

Unfortunately, the Chinese sellers offering this stuff could care less about what they are doing to the numismatic community. They're only into it for the money, and they are betraying their country and culture.

I was going to post the listings of individual coins, but there are just too many. I have downloaded all of them, or almost all, from his auction current as of the date of this post, to be used in future articles on my blog or at my webpage.

Here are just a few of what he's selling today. All these coins are either over-sized versions of the real thing, or bronze versions of iron coins that would be of approximately the 34mm diameter that these fakes are.

Make-Believe Certification that doesn't even try very hard!

Reference: Fake Chinese Coin seller eBay ID junguoxu2011

What caught my eye at first were the beautifully made fake cash coins shown in 2x2 white mylar holders. Even though it's after midnight, I can't forsake my duty to divulge the identity of yet another purveyor of ‘let's pretend we have ancient coins’ on eBay. But after I looked at this seller's whole stock, I found what amazed me even more—slabbed coins similar to the discovery disclosed in my previous post, only these slabs are even more ‘pretend’ than the others. It's almost the work of a thirteen year old who is playing at being a grown-up numismatist. Take a look at these slabs and their labelling!

HAGS Genuine is what the front label proclaims without exactly telling us who or what HAGS stands for, or what is genuine. Is it the slab, the label, what? And the skinny strip of bar coding below—what is that? some kind of magic symbol that is supposed to take away our fear that what is slabbed might be fake? Give me a break!

The label on the back is even more mystical. Along with its funny, circular logo, it now looks like it says HAGS & World. Then, above that, in a nice box, it proclaims, ‘The most professional accreditation bodies.’ Whoopee! I am so impressed! But then, as a final mark of authenticity, at the bottom of the label is ‘The Authority of Justice.’

And I thought we had hit the gravelly bottom of the Yangtze when we ran into China-Changbao.com! At least they looked like they were trying to deceive. HAGS, on the other hand, doesn't even try to deceive, or else they think that most eBayers are as dumb as stumps.

I am so tired of this. Now, as to the fake cash coins. I have to dedicate a post specially to the fake cash coins of this new arrival, junguoxu2011. He's done a far better job (from his point of view, I'm sure) at convincing us of the authenticity of his wares.

Hang on to your seats! Fake coins certified by fake Certification Companies!

Reference: Fake Chinese Coin seller eBay ID weichunfang1128

Poor, innocent me, a small town Illinois boy living out on the edge of a cliff on the West Coast! Good thing I started studying foreign languages at the age of eight. Chinese, Russian and Hebrew I took up around age thirteen. Not the Russian, but the Chinese and Hebrew and a few others I've never stopped learning. A lot of it has to do with my insatiable interest in foreign cultures and their coins.

So even though I started out life as a Tom Sawyer in the 1950's, I learned my stuff, and I'm here to make sure no one hoodwinks any of you out there who might share my childhood through adulthood passion—foreign coins! After putting together my last post, I lingered at eBay a minute or two, and then came across the following boldfaced assault on numismatic integrity.

A company in China, with a webpage, www.china-changbao.com, has set itself up as a slabbed coin certifier of Chinese coins. The first one that met my eyes was this 'dollar', called by the seller a "1929 China Silver Coin, Memento Sun Yat Sen Silver Coin $1".

The coin is in a slab, a very official looking one, complete with serial numbers and barcode, and on the back of the slab, barely visible at the top, is the web address that I referenced above. The coin is graded at MS-60, that is, Mint State 60. Looking at the piece, it's obvious from the photograph that both sides of the coin have been harshly, abrasively cleaned. There are scratches all over the piece. The other point is that this is not a 'Memento Dollar' but instead (if my memory serves me right) an example or a copy of a rare 'Junk Dollar' pattern designed by an Italian designer.

It's quite obvious that some Chinese are utterly contemptuous of Western standards in numismatics, not only claiming qualification to grade coins, but even asserting (by silence) the coin's authenticity. It was bad enough in the old days when one had to watch out for the occasional cagey or dishonest coin dealer. Now we have to watch out for fake grading services. I suppose this is not new. It's just I have not had to deal with it before.

Future generations are really going to have a field day trying to separate fakes from authentic coins. In the case of better made fakes, some are so exact that for all practical purposes they are indistinguishable. Not, however, with this piece. Wherever it goes from that starting bid of US $0.01, I hope only that the fraud is discovered quickly and dispensed with.