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December 10, 2025I’ve Seen These Mistakes Over and Over – Here’s How to Avoid the Pitfalls
spent 15 years in the coin world, and I’ve watched collectors lose thousands to the same avoidable errors. Whether it’s fake reviews or outdated guides, the risks are real. Here’s the good news: these mistakes are easy to spot if you know what to watch for. Let’s walk through the five most common traps – and how to steer clear of them.
Mistake 1: Trusting Suspicious Review Patterns
The Warning Signs You’re Being Manipulated
t’s frightening how many fake reviews I see these days. That sudden surge of 467 reviews for “Samuel Archer’s Error Coin Guide” last July? Textbook manipulation. Here’s what sets off alarm bells:
- Review spikes then silence: 467 reviews in one month, then just 3 the next
- Vague praise: “Great book!”!” lacks specific coin examples
- Repeat reviewers: Same accounts raving about multiple suspicious guides
How to Spot Fake Reviews
- Always run reviews through Fakespot or ReviewMeta
- Check actual reviewer profiles (look for verified purchases)
- f all reviews are glowing, that’s suspicious – real books have critics!
What to Do If You’re Scammed
f you bought based on fake reviews, don’t panic:
1. Screenshot the suspicious review patterns
2. File an A-to-Z claim on Amazon
3. Request a refund citing "material misrepresentation"
Mistake 2: Overlooking Author Background Checks
The Biography Red Flags
recently saw a guide claiming “20+ years experience” from an author with zero presence in numismatic circles. Always verify:
- Google “[author name] + coin collecting”
- Check PNG.org (Professional Numismatists Guild)
- Confirm American Numismatic Association membership
The Ken McDonald Standard
‘ve always lived by this rule when writing my guides:
only include coins I’ve personally held – no stock photos or secondhand descriptions.- Ken McDonald (published error coin author since 2009)
Mistake 3: Ignoringcan’t stress this enough: using outdated guides costs collectors money. Error coin values change faster than most realize. Here’s where I track real-time data:- Heritage Auction archives (HA.com)
- PCGS’s CoinFacts prices
- My personal sales records dating back to 2009
The 18-Month Rule
f your guide is older than a year and a half, it’s likely obsolete. The exception? Vintage reference books from trusted sources like CONECA.
Mistake 4: Falling for AI-Generated
Spotting Synthetic Guides
The AI book flood left some obvious clues:
- Overly generic titles (“The Complete Handbook”)
- No actual coin photos – just descriptions
- Plagiarized content (test with Copyleaks.com)
The ISBN Investigation
Every every ISBN through:
1. Bowker's official database (bowkerlink.com)
2. ISBNdb.com
3. Library of Congress catalog
Fake guides often have ISBNs that don’t match their records, like the notorious 9798291864258.
Mistake 5: Not Verifying Photo Provenance
TheMatters
Legitimate authors always credit sources. Red flags include:
- Uncredited “generic” coin photos
- Impossible errors (“1967-D Lincoln cent”)
- Images stolen from established guides
Reverse Image Rescue
Before suspicious images in three steps:
1. Right-click the book preview image
2. Search with Google Lens
3. Cross-check NGC/PCcertification databases
Your Armored Checklist
Print this and keep it with your collecting supplies:
- Author Vetting: 10-minute Google/PNG check
- Review Autopsy: Fakespot + profile inspection
- Edition Verification: Must be 2023 or newer
- Image Audit: Reverse image search
- Community Gut Check: Ask at r/coins or CoinCommunity.com
When You’ve Been Burned
If you bought a fake guide:
- Document: Highlight copied content
- Report: Use Kindle’s infringement form
- Educate: Warn others on collector forums
The Silver Lining
Genuine resources still exist:
- Fred Wright’s free Kindle Unlimited exposé
- Newman Numismatic Portal’s digital archives
- My constantly-updated auction price tracker
Final Thought:the Tribe
One collectorme: “Your local coin club knows more than any algorithm.” Truer words were never spoken. CONECA meetings and coin shows remain your safest bets. See you at the next- I’ll be
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