I suspect I got scammed

[Steveqld]

I went looking on Ebay for a Perth Mint 2011 Lunar Dollar for my granddaughter and purchased this one:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160776044754?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Looked OK until I got it and it came in the capsule only with no other packaging (suspicion 1).  The issues from the mint came with casing.  The seller had a good rating but when I look further a lot of them are for clothes that I suspect are made in China (suspicion 2) and all of his coins appear to be from the Perth Mint (suspicion 3).  Google tells me that there are a few factories in the Wenzou area that counterfeit Perth Mint products and there are mentions of the lunar dragon series (suspicion 4).  Lastly Greg's bguide tells me that the issue price was $105 but this seller is flogging them off for $69 (suspicion 5).

I had a look under magnification and compared the reverse to the image on the Perth Mint site and if it is counterfeit it is one good job.

I queried the Perth Mint and they replied:

You have purchased a bullion 1oz silver coin.  All bullion coins come in a capsule only.  

There is no certificate or presentation packaging for these coins.

However without actually sighting the coin it is not possible to guarantee it is the genuine article.


Any thoughts one was or the other before I reverse the paypal payment or does anyone have a link to a counterfeit of these?

TIA

Steve (Yes another one)

[Australian coin]

Ok a little info before you buy coins may have helped with your purchase.

YES
Perth mint produce collector coins with packaging display box / outer cardboard box and certificate with PROOF coins (also guilded coins) and a few other types of collector coins like colored coins.,

YES
Perth mint also produce bullion coins (as the name suggest bullion is just that, a silver coin in a capsule)

I can verify from a picture of actual coin front and back if your coin is china fake or not for you.

You can always ask here first if you are unsure about coins, we are always happy to help out.

As a general rule of thumb for next time, if you are buying bullion and you don’t know about Perth mint bullion coins, I suggest you buy from an Australian certified bullion dealer.

[enworb]

Does it stick to a magnet and are the weight and diameter correct?

[notcb]

Steve,

The actual Ebay ad says: "1oz Year of Rabbit Silver Bullion Coin 2011 Lunar Series II ", so I don't believe you can claim it to be a scam!

At the time that the bullion version of the 2011 Lunar Rabbit was released, the silver price was around $20 per oz.  Typically, these coins were selling for around $23 each.  

If you are referring to Greg's B Guide, you need to look in the section titled Silver Specimen Lunar Series 11 - there you will find the particular coin listed as Issue Price BV   (Bullion Value = $20) and Retail Value $60.

Cheers
Peter (notcb)

[Steveqld]

Thanks for your replies.  The use of the word "scam" only related to whether it was a counterfeit.  It passes the magnet test so I'm happy the item was as described and to leave the seller positive feedback.  Wasn't purchased as an investment and bullion coins and generally NCLT and Perth Mint are not my thing but the better half wanted a silver Lunar Rabbit to give the granddaughter and she didn't like the RAM version

The seller has a large number of positive feedback and sells many of the Perth mint coins so "assumed" he was a reputable reseller.  It was only after receiving the coin and noticing the large number of items they sell which I suspected came from China hence the unavoidable suspicion.

Thanks again.

[Robster]

The only rabbits that make their way into this house end up in the oven with a rich, dark sauce.!!:blush:

[ausjack]

RABBBBIT :drooling: BBQ mate :good:

[Steveqld]

My son has a few tatoos (warrior oriented) so was planning his first child for 2012 in order to get a dragon tatoo with her name.  Grandaughter came early and 18 months on I'm still waiting to see a little pink bunny amongst his other cartoons.

[Robster]

A warrior with a pink bunny tattoo.!! LOL.

[ausjack]

:@ you lot have NO idea, rabbits are bloody killers, here look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcxKIJTb3Hg
and he could get one like this trading card I have..and they'll scratch the B'jesus out of ya :mocking:

[Robster]

Now that would be a tattoo to raise an eyebrow.!! Bring on Easter.!!

[enworb]

Thats a nasty looking rabbit!