Wasted $60 on a fake Roman coin at an estate sale in Des Moines last month

I saw this bronze coin with a cool emperor profile and the seller swore it was from the 3rd century. Paid $60 cash before checking with my phone. Got home and realized the patina was painted on and the lettering was way too clean for its age. Has anyone else gotten burned by fake artifacts at garage sales or estate auctions?

3 comments

3 Comments

rosepark10d ago

$60 is still hard to swallow though. I used to think estate sales were a goldmine for stuff like that, the sellers wouldn't dare lie because they'd get a bad reputation or whatever. But then my buddy bought a "vintage" Rolex at one in Omaha, took it to a jeweler and it was a total knockoff with the wrong movement inside. That painted patina thing you mentioned is wild, I would have fallen for it too honestly. Made me realize these people just want to clear out junk and don't care if they pass off fakes.

hannahj4910d ago

I had a coworker who got burned at an estate sale in Wichita. She bought this "antique" silver tea set that was supposedly from the 1800s. Turns out it was just plated stuff from the 1980s with fake hallmarks stamped on the bottom. The seller even had a little flyer talking about how it was from a family heirloom collection, total BS. She didn't find out until a few months later when she tried to get it appraised for her insurance. Now she brings a little magnet and tester to every sale she goes to, lol.

finleym3710d ago

C'mon, a magnet and a tester for every sale? That's a bit much. People get scammed buying used stuff all the time, it's not some huge conspiracy. You buy a fake silver set for sixty bucks, you learned a lesson, move on. It's not like she lost her life savings on it. I bought a "vintage" lamp at a garage sale once that turned out to be a Target special from 2003. Big deal, it still works fine and looks decent.