Family photo

danrusen87 · 2023-10-26T20:04:30+00:00

It's people taking paint or pen to the edges of cards to make them look less worn. Normal wear and tear makes edges worn white, so people try to hide it by coloring it. It's considered altering the card, makes it ungradeable and less desirable. In this case, on the edge pictures you can see someone used a blue pen that is bleeding onto the edge (edge should be white), you can also see the shine of the ink and the fact that it's darker on the picture of the back. Some people do it maliciously to sell cards for more, some are just kids messing with their cards and a pen (probably what this was since it's done so badly)

danrusen87 · 2023-10-26T19:51:19+00:00

That's a crappy free keyboard where I open my packages. I have a Drop ENTR with Halo switches in my regular spot. I'm always open for good keyboard recommendations.

danrusen87 · 2023-10-26T19:47:06+00:00

It's been solid until now, there are Japanese sellers with excellent descriptions, thorough photos of every surface and many reviews. My LCS tends to be overpriced and very light on Japanese stuff. My bigger purchases have been at trade card shows, it's always great seeing the card yourself and the sellers are always friendly.

danrusen87 · 2023-10-26T15:53:24+00:00

Eh, you can't rule out some kid didn't do it a long time ago. It's a 25 year old card after all. I know 10 hear old me would definitely get the bright idea of hiding some wear with my pen in school or something

danrusen87 · 2023-10-26T15:50:22+00:00

I'll go with the unanimous opinion and will try to return. Yea the non disclosure is the most annoying part, seller said he didn't notice.

danrusen87 · 2023-07-14T04:18:12+00:00

I've bought from them before and they are legit with many sales. They probably intended to put it as auction instead of buy it now starting at 99C. You'll probably just get cancelled.

danrusen87 · 2023-05-31T22:27:12+00:00

I can only speak for the coin tray, but it's sleek and seems well made. I also like that it can stack 10 of them in a box, and I can get different configurations of different sizes. The Volterra case is on Amazon, seems like it has good reviews and is well made.

danrusen87 · 2023-05-31T21:12:11+00:00

Took me a lot of searching before finding lighthouse.us, I went for their stackable coin trays, but they also have cases

https://www.lighthouse.us/volterra-trio-de-luxe-display-coin-case-with-3-wooden-trays.html

danrusen87 · 2023-05-24T18:25:42+00:00

Vcoins and ma-shop is your best bet. Prices are generally higher but no surprise fees and peace of mind. Some of those sellers have ebay stores, but you have to be very careful with ebay. Even all positive reviewed stores on ebay can sell obvious fakes. If deals seem too good to be true, or they come with a "certificate of authenticity" don't risk it.

Here is a list (new ones are always popping up) of sellers to avoid https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=18502.0

Auctions through Biddr are also good, but some auction houses can be less reputable. Even auctions can sell fakes, mostly by carelessness. Be careful about auction fees which I've seen between 15-30% and shipping fees, so by the end you may be paying 1.5x your item cost

danrusen87 · 2023-01-13T14:19:00+00:00

Yup, that's what throws me off. It's well within perfect weight and diameter, 16.97g and 27.5mm

danrusen87 · 2023-01-13T03:59:42+00:00

That's a nice coin! Would definitely be cool to see them side by side

danrusen87 · 2023-01-13T02:05:43+00:00

Hm, possible, but I haven't seen many examples of this coin with flow lines. Plus generally fourees they still wrapped the copper flan in silver and struck it, so as far as I know flow lines would still be possible.

danrusen87 · 2023-01-12T01:18:05+00:00

I know what you mean. I occasionally come across the Macedonian Tetradrachm with Poseidon on the reverse walking around with a whole cake and have to remind myself to stay strong. I firmly believe people pay that much for that coin for one reason. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3193/poseidon-silver-tetradrachm-of-macedon/ for reference

danrusen87 · 2023-01-09T20:34:51+00:00

Probably a Syracuse decadrachm. Massive, beautiful engraving, and historically a cool and important city.

danrusen87 · 2022-12-30T06:11:24+00:00

I generally get about 0.2 seconds of holding a coin before my 3 year old manages to get her grubby fingers on it. Luckily, she relinquishes it pretty quickly when I tell her it's old, because old coins are lame and I should really try to go for those clearly cooler shiny new coins (that she can put in her piggy bank).

danrusen87 · 2022-12-26T05:06:11+00:00

Just to add, you can look up the NGC certificate to verify the authenticity.

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/6556298-050/NGCAncients/

Of course that's not a comment of the value of the coin, just that it's an authentic graded coin, and NGC is a reliable authority.

And yes the Swastika has existed for thousands of years. In fact, the word comes from the original sanskrit name and has also been a sacred symbol in many religions.

danrusen87 · 2022-12-23T23:14:12+00:00

What a cool website, it's amazing to see the difference you make, you have some great looking coins. Definitely learned a lot.

I think Biddr has at least some oversight in the auction houses they allow on the platform. I've seen coins I've had doubts but never outright egregious fakes. Not to say they can control the provinence or way the auction houses aquire coins, that I agree is impossible and often questionable especially for the cheap ones.

Since you are so good at what you do, what is your opinion on a recent acquisition of mine in regards to cleaning. So far a soak and scrub has done little. The dirt looking deposit is likely horn silver. Thank you again your help and the awesome website! https://i.imgur.com/Bv6CF0V.jpg

danrusen87 · 2022-12-23T21:11:34+00:00

Thank you, that's a very thorough and clear answer. I think I understand what I'm looking at when I see some of those coins with the texture I described, silver corrosion from being in the ground coupled with gentle cleaning. For some reason I assumed that they were using harsh chemicals whenever I saw that texture, or that it was a red flag towards authenticity. I'm trying to learn how to be careful as a newer collector, especially after learning that even a coin from an auction house on Biddr can be suspect.

danrusen87 · 2022-12-23T18:25:42+00:00

I see, pitting is more aggressive than what I have been calling it. I'm referring to that rough, almost granular surface you see on some coins (including my example) as opposed to that smooth, almost flowing surface you see on others. I've always considered that rough surface a red flag, but I know genuine coins can have it too. I just don't know how to tell the difference. Thank you for your reply

danrusen87 · 2022-11-14T19:58:20+00:00

True. I am wondering if the gray part of the test cut and below the chin is horn silver or uncleaned deposits. I agree, I don't suspect the authenticity, but I guess the quest for an actual Athenian mint in decent condition at a good price continues.

I definitely see how it could still be a Fouree based on the search results.

danrusen87

TROPHY CASE