Founder, Circular Commerce Seller & Community Mentor2723View listings
Hi @botittle
Fake American Eagles are unfortunately a problem, but don’t worry—you can avoid them with a few simple steps. Here’s what I’d recommend:
Buy From Trustworthy Sellers
Stick to sellers with good reviews and lots of positive feedback. If they’ve sold coins before and people are happy, that’s a great sign. Also, buying from well-known dealers or big names in the coin world can give you extra peace of mind.
Watch for Too-Good-to-Be-True Prices
If the price seems way lower than what you'd expect for an American Eagle, it’s a red flag. Compare it to current market prices (like spot silver or gold prices) and see if it lines up. A crazy discount usually means something’s off.
Check Photos Carefully
Look closely at the listing photos. Real American Eagles have clear, crisp details and a clean finish. If the coin looks blurry, off-colored, or strange in any way, trust your gut—it’s better to skip it.
When You Get It, Double-Check It
Once the coin arrives, you can do a quick check:
Magnet Test: Real silver or gold isn’t magnetic, so a fake might stick to a magnet.
Weight Check: Use a small digital scale to weigh it—real Eagles are pretty exact.
If anything seems off, don’t hesitate to contact the seller.
What to Do If It’s Fake
If you suspect the coin isn’t legit:
Message the Seller: Go to your Purchase History here: http://www.ebay.com/myb/PurchaseHistory Find the item, click Contact Seller, and explain the problem. Most sellers will work with you to resolve it.
Open a Return Request: If the seller isn't helpful, you are are 100% covered by money back guarantee, go back to your Purchase History (link above), click on the item, and select "Return this item." Explain that you believe it’s counterfeit and attach photos if possible.
eBay’s Money Back Guarantee has your back if the coin turns out to be fake, so you won’t lose your money.
Extra Tip
If you’re just starting out, it’s worth looking for coins certified by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC. It costs more, but they’re guaranteed authentic and come in tamper-proof cases.
selforfun
Mentor1 year agoHi @botittle
Fake American Eagles are unfortunately a problem, but don’t worry—you can avoid them with a few simple steps. Here’s what I’d recommend:
Buy From Trustworthy Sellers
Stick to sellers with good reviews and lots of positive feedback. If they’ve sold coins before and people are happy, that’s a great sign. Also, buying from well-known dealers or big names in the coin world can give you extra peace of mind.
Watch for Too-Good-to-Be-True Prices
If the price seems way lower than what you'd expect for an American Eagle, it’s a red flag. Compare it to current market prices (like spot silver or gold prices) and see if it lines up. A crazy discount usually means something’s off.
Check Photos Carefully
Look closely at the listing photos. Real American Eagles have clear, crisp details and a clean finish. If the coin looks blurry, off-colored, or strange in any way, trust your gut—it’s better to skip it.
When You Get It, Double-Check It
Once the coin arrives, you can do a quick check:
If anything seems off, don’t hesitate to contact the seller.
What to Do If It’s Fake
If you suspect the coin isn’t legit:
http://www.ebay.com/myb/PurchaseHistory
Find the item, click Contact Seller, and explain the problem. Most sellers will work with you to resolve it.
eBay’s Money Back Guarantee has your back if the coin turns out to be fake, so you won’t lose your money.
Extra Tip
If you’re just starting out, it’s worth looking for coins certified by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC. It costs more, but they’re guaranteed authentic and come in tamper-proof cases.
twinkling.smile
·1 year ago@botittle
You can report listings. Just above the item number is a link you can use.
If you purchased a fake item, you can request a return, for an item not as described.
https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/returning-item?id=4041