alexbq2

Hope it ended up in good hands!

The "no returns accepted." does cause me to be cautious, but is not always a case to dismiss the item. Remember BKB's Tynf?

What do you think of the price?

Looks Ok. Do you find it suspicious?

Don't know if this is funny or just funny looking http://cgi.ebay.com/...em=200598462623

Here's the 1852 copy from the same seller - zyzemc. Sold for $76! Are people not even reading the description - "ATTENCION, This coin not original but novodel or old copy see foto"? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150593383342

Actually, I thought that Sigi was saying that it is similar to the Gorny Mosch coin When you are looking at the 2 coins side by side keep in mind that the scale on these photos is not 1:1.

IMHO the crown here is definitely smaller than on the 1803 style series, and note that the tips of the wings do not overlap the counting circles. I was hoping this coin would end up in my collection, but the final price put my bid to shame. Lately, I feel that eBay is becoming more of a spectator sport for me. I blame the oil prices!

A rare coin appeared this weekend on eBay: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=110670300367

You're right, I guess when I checked the auction was not over.

Sold for $112

The seller actually states that this is not an original, and it isn't. As far as I have seen this is from a long running series manufactured in China. All years are covered, as well as both EM and BM mint. http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=150587387377

Looks like an 8 to me as well

Do you think that the counterstamped lion is actually Finnish?

Excellent! I had no idea December was the German spelling back then. Here's another curiosity: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=150580375576

Here's an unusual item. Russian rouble turned into a commemorative token? The inscription is in English - dated 1 December 1899. I can't quite make out the name: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=110664249531

I decided to start this thread to discuss curiosities on eBay. It's a general thread, and everyone is welcome to post anything curios. For instance, this auction for 1838 RUSSIAN COPPER MEDAL NICHOLAS I MS61 attracted my attention some time ago: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=170593229597 It seemed to have ended quite well, so I was surprised that the item was listed again on eBay.de: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=170614761244 Interestingly enough the original auction went better. I wonder if this time the sale will go through.

Let me just begin by saying that I don't know chemistry. But I think I read somewhere at some point that hydrogen peroxide can be used. I've actually tried it. Bubbles form around the coin. After a few hours the green stuff changes. Sometimes it flakes off, sometimes it changes color. It becomes sort of dark, maybe even black, but sometimes it is lighter. If you then soak it in oil, these new rust cuds can be flaked off with a toothpick. I've experimented on a few coins. I am not in awe of the results, but I liked it better than just oil, or boiling in soda (which I tried once and will not do again). Peroxide does not seem to affect the patina, but oil might. Also, I ended up buying a 30% solution. The 3% solution that you can get at your pharmacy was not always enough.

I have not experimented too much, but I noticed that copper coins on black look lighter than in real life. But of course I will need to try it again with the new camera settings.

What background color do you prefer for copper coins, and what would work better for silver?

The White Balance camera presets appear to have solved my problem! Many thanks!!!

First off, my camera is CyberShot not CoolPix:) I have switched it from the automatic setting, and I see 3 fluorescent light options. I guess I'll need to try them out. I'll post an update on the results. Thanks!

The light was artificial, and it did not change. I have played somewhat with the camera settings, but could not get it to behave consistently. I'll look up the camera model a bit later.

I have a basic Sony Coolpix camera - point and click interface. But I can't get it to take the same picture twice. These picture were taken at the same time, under the same conditions. But the camera manages to auto-adjust differently, and the color of the two photos is quite different: