I bought this coin from them on ma-shops... somebody showed me this fake report with matching dies Its hard to argue with that, the design looks very very similar. I hadn't really questioned the coin though admittedly it does look a bit different than some of my other denarii. Before I go ahead and contact him/request a refund, could somebody confirm this for me? I'm just kind of hesitant he looks really legit and even sells on vcoins which I know vet their dealers and what not... Has anyone dealt with this seller before? Is the above image as damning as I think it is? Thank you.
Bought from them a few times without problems. With over 8000 items for sale, a fake can possibly slip in. Show them the picture of the FCR (it's definitely a match to yours) and see their reaction. And please tell us what happened.
The coin is indeed a double die-match to the coin in the Forum Counterfeit Report and it IS a fake. The counterfeit report is in error because it omits the SINGLE BIGGEST GIVEAWAY that it's fake: this reverse was only used on aurei, not denarii, of Faustina I. They have misidentified the coin as a copy of RIC 348. It's not. @iameatingjam's coin and the FCR coin depict Fortuna, veiled, standing l., holding patera and rudder on ground. This is the reverse type of RIC 349a, exemplified by BMC 368, an aureus: In contrast, RIC 348 is indeed a denarius, but depicts Fortuna, veiled, standing l., holding globe and rudder on ground, exemplified by this example from my own collection: Here are the listings in RIC: Now, RIC isn't the be all and end all, to be sure, but no denarii with the OP's reverse type are known to Cohen, Strack, or the British Museum, either. There are only two explanations for the existence of the OP coin. Either -- it's fake or -- it and the coin in FCR are denarii which were accidentally struck with a pair of dies intended for aurei. A royal fizzbin.
I have ordered a few coins from them on m-a shops and they were professional to deal with, I received no fakes, so it probably was just an oversight.
Could you please email your name and order number to service@ma-shops.com and give us the opportunity to assist with your questions? Thank you.
They got back to me, though it took 3 emails on my part and a week before they did. They said they would take the coin back though I had to pay return postage, they promise they will refund this postage afterwards. Still no apology or admittance of guilt. As long as I get the money back I suppose thats good enough but doesn't strike me as premium service.
What else do you need to know? My name is Jesse Fisher. The problem was with numismatica prados. Here is the orginal number ad: https://www.ma-shops.com/prados/item.php?id=2958 Here is email chain minus the first message. Again, I appreciate the offer of refund however I don't appreciate an absolute unwillingness to accept responsibility for the problem. View attachment 1277751 Next to the purchase there is a number ' 412' is that what you are asking for?
I originally left positive review for this seller. I thinking of changing to neutral, is that possible?
So I sent it back as per request. I asked for specifics of mailing requirements but got no response so just sent cheapest regular mail. but I have photos of packing it up, bringing to post office, getting stamped etc. So still waiting to see if seller holds true to his word and reimburses original fees plus return shipping. I guess still what irks me the most is the lack of accountability. They treat it like this was me changing my mind, but it wasn't, this was their staff not doing their due diligence. Everybody makes mistakes, I get it.... But you should at very least own the results of your actions, and apologize to the customer when the issue with the order has nothing to do with the customer, which is what I feel is the case here.
Hi Jesse, my understanding to date is that the dealer will refund you for the coin along with shipping costs. Are there any additional questions? Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
I would like to say two things, first as a client of yours on some occasion, professionalism and customer service is the best you can have with this numismatic. I never had the slightest problem and with such an extensive catalog it would not be something so serious either. Few sellers dedicate so much effort to show a catalog of that category, so large, well presented and in continuous renewal. We are getting too demanding, I do not see it fair to accuse a forum post of falsification, even if it is false, I also do not understand your position, if you have promised to make the refund, I do not explain your messages. We do not think that behind businesses there are families who dedicate their work and effort to earn a living and discredit this work in such a cruel way. I'm sorry to be so harsh but I don't see so much problem for you to have behaved like this with this company, even publishing your emails ... mashop should also say something in favor of the seller. By the way, thank you for returning it, I have been in this business for 34 years and I am going to try to get hold of it, I get the impression that you have rejected something special for such a low price ...
=== Numismatica Prados has been a MA-Shops seller since May 29,2020 and their customer feedback rating is: https://www.ma-shops.com/prados/?lang=en This is why the Dealer and MA-Shops guarantee for authenticity is important. Listings are always posted as authentic and if shown otherwise, we stand behind our satisfaction guarantee.
Numismatica Prados was always a no-go for me, but it is more like a feeling of someone collecting antique coins for about 25 years now. I’d say they do have their share of genuine coins, maybe even a majority, but I like 90% sure they rework them. What puts me off is for instance that the majority of their coins do have the “desert patina” but interestingly enough, mostly those of the first two centuries generally rarer examples, conveniently highlighting the otherwise mediocre or worse coin. As a result you get an below average coin for a rather inflated price, like this here for example; https://www.ma-shops.com/prados/item.php?id=24768 this is just one sample of their current listings being in my opinion price about double as high as this coin would be worth without the highlighted details. Now if they do this- what else do they do to increase the profitability of a sale?
