I was browsing the Ebay coin files to purchase gold or other unusual coins when  I ran across an advertisement for a total of eight (8) 24K German Reichspfennig gold coins weighing in at 23.5 grams. The dealer was a "private" dealer with a "private" number of sales next to his name.  While attempting to read whether or not he had good comments I discovered that these too were private. All his bidders were "Private." Now over the years I have taught my children that nothing in life is "free" and if it seemed too good to be true, then it usually is. I read this advertisement for these eight (8) German Reichspfennig 24k gold coins over and over to see where the description might say that these were not solid gold coins. Statements such as " total weight of the coins is 23.5 grams in 24k gold" convinced me that this might be the real thing. A new dealer, real gold, what the heck, I'll take the chance. Oops, wait a minute, this party did not take Pay Pal but wanted only money orders or cashiers checks plus $15 for postage. A bit steep for less than an ounce of product which can be mailed for under .40 cents.

I bid $81 dollars and won the bid. I waited for ten more days (they advertised 2-5 business days), finally received notice the coins were on the way, again. Thirty-three days after winning the bid I receive a small envelope in my mailbox with these "gold" coins that feel and sound like zinc pennies with gold coating. I test the coins on my gold tester. The tester says "No Gold" for each and everyone of the coins. These were defiantly not gold, they do not weigh like gold, they do not ring like good. I sent an e-mail claiming fraud and was told to send them back for a full refund, no coins, no refund. This dealer indicated that he sells them but does not handle them nor does he ship them but is a go between for someone else. 

He finally did reimburse me for the total amount plus shipping and I have now noticed that he is advertising them as "fantasy" coins that are guilded or gold coated. Remember, if it sounds to good to be true, it usually is!  The warning flags were there for all to see but I ignored them.

  Here is a photo of the coins I purchased that did not contain any gold.