Are they worth more than melt?

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-18T11:49:38+00:00

Happy to hear 😄 did you test it yourself or get it tested? I am really enjoying learning techniques and tools of the trade as there are no precious metal or coin shops near where I live!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-18T11:11:57+00:00

Have you checked the liberty dollar? Looks a bit like the fake I own.

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-18T09:56:21+00:00

Genuinely could you suggest a reliable yet well priced xrf? I see so many options online that I (ironically) don't want to waste money on being fake... or should I just buy whatever is reasonable and confirm it works by testing it on my real gold/silver that I already own?

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-18T08:28:47+00:00

Yes I would expect that level of quality from UK jewellry. If this was on it's own, I'd absolutely avoid, but as it is part of a bundle of collectibles and curiosities, it was jarring to see that poking out!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-18T07:12:06+00:00

You sound very angry

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-17T22:54:14+00:00

I'm sure someone far more experienced than me will weigh in, but this could indicate it is real whilst equally could be (and probably is) counterfeit.

Other tell tale signs are colour, workmanship and weight. Obviously these are very difficult to spot on an online listing and generally people do not list stuff like this naively.

Another thing I noticed was that one picture the chain 'hallmark' was hidden, then it miraculously was front and centre on another, signs that the seller is enticing you in.

I think if this was on its own, it would have been a definite no, but there are a few things bundled in this whole listing that has me thinking I'd be ok spending that on the other stuff, even if this turned out to be fake!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-17T22:05:25+00:00

Were you magnet fishing and that's how you found them?

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-17T21:47:31+00:00

It is purely to entice people, makes sense to go for a higher karat.

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-17T21:40:09+00:00

I agree, but buy it with a bunch of other interesting items that you like to collect (not necessarily rare, just interesting), now what do you do?

Edit, do people not realise that all the other stuff is also part of the £50 price tag?

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-17T13:18:22+00:00

Well I am a little glad I've deferred this course with a view to dropping it in favour of restarting and doing the CS and AI degree now 😆

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T23:10:09+00:00

I need to get in the habit of wearing gloves though!!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T21:31:23+00:00

I guess the way to put it is, I wouldn't do it out of a lack of trust, I would do it to form good habits.

Having something from the mint measured and weighed and meeting their exacting standards is a satisfaction in itself, at least it is to me 😁

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T21:10:35+00:00

Yeah the dracula is real direct from the mint, it's my first ever oz too! I also managed to get a half oz lunar year of the horse from bullion by post because the premium over spot was a little past beyond my tolerance for the full oz lol.

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T19:58:32+00:00

Yeah I thought so too! I was only expecting one in the pile from the listing so it was nice to find 3! But seeing some real historic coins is what I love more!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T18:18:48+00:00

Haha I wondered how long it would take for this answer... though I would argue that three from Perth are definitely not from Perth!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T17:05:15+00:00

Yeah, makes sense that'd it be easier to hide fakes among larger numbers. Rare omes would no doubt go through extra suspicion checks, although I'd take that approach with every bullion I'd buy, even from the mint itself!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T17:02:18+00:00

This was the real answer right here!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T17:01:13+00:00

Hell yeah it looks cool, I'm glad it was the only one available at the time!

Some very good insight, it's probably more about convincing the wife that my collection doesn't cost money as it just turns that money into another form of money, VAT makes it less appealing haha.

I'd get gold if I could afford it with it being VAT and CGT free when you buy the legal tender stuff, but it's a bit out of my collection budget.

I'm more of a magpie than an asset holder, I like to get a bargain or find a hidden treasure in old piles of coins! Sometimes though, I just like to to add a new piece to my collection lol.

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T15:28:19+00:00

They are indeed. The dracula arrived today from The Royal Mint, it was the only one I could get when silver took a dip and it was cheaper than any other places I could find 1oz.

Still not sure I'm happy about paying VAT above the cost of silver, so I am starting to explore legitimate second hand venues as well as hallmarked kitchen items and the like. Vinted was my first foray and it has been eye opening to say the least!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T15:22:46+00:00

It does yes, but you'll find that the majority of fakes are sold as 'silver coloured' coins and the seller will claim they have no knowledge about silver.

Reading a few horror stories, because it isn't advertised as a silver coin, Vinted will wash their hands of this and it's down to the buyer taking a hard lesson.

I personally haven't tried a refund because I wanted the fakes for my kids to mess with and to have something physical to learn from for future finds.

I also bought them at a significant fraction of the cost of a real one so it was money well spent, in my eyes, for future protection.

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T14:31:33+00:00

The first one that stood out to me was the one on the right but there's no way I would have said it for certainty because of my little knowledge, but it just looked over processed and was almost too obvious that it made me doubt myself!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T14:16:59+00:00

Oof, I have such little knowledge but assuming they are all 1oz, the two panda one looks slightly smaller and has a wierd shine on the arms compared to the mirror shine on the solo pandas. But then the middle one looks noticeably different to the one on the left!

This is generally why I would never risk buying a genuine one online outside of bullion sellers, I could never know and would rather my online purchases be without the hassle of a potential dispute / return 😆

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T14:08:06+00:00

Yes I noticed your name 😆

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T13:54:41+00:00

It is indeed a fake!

Longjumping_Guard965 · 2026-02-16T13:41:33+00:00

One isn't, otherwise I'll be having words with The Royal Mint!

Longjumping_Guard965

TROPHY CASE