My Close Call with an Ancient Rare Coin Scam in Florida

As a coin collector with a passion for history, I’m constantly on the lookout for unique pieces—especially ancient rarities tied to events like shipwrecks. Recently, while researching Ex-Lutine coins, I found a Florida website offering what seemed like an incredible deal. But as it turned out, it was a scam. I want to share that experience and what I learned to help you avoid similar pitfalls.

The Suspicious Deal That Raised Alarms

My heart skipped a beat when ancientrarecoins.com showed an Ex-Lutine coin for just $200, complete with its original 1938 box, COA, and free UK shipping. It looked like the find of the year, but something didn’t sit right. A quick check revealed the listed address matched Gables Coin & Stamp Shop—a legitimate dealer I know. When I called them, they confirmed no connection: classic address hijacking. The site had slick Google ads and polished design, but digging deeper showed fake inventory photos and broken links, like their “Payment Methods” page leading nowhere.

Red Flags Every Collector Must Watch For

After this near-miss, here’s what I watch for in online coin deals:

• Prices that feel unreal—like that $200 Ex-Lutine coin sitting next to an almost identical one at $255
• “Free shipping” offers on high-value items, especially internationally
• Missing or fishy contact details—no names listed, phone numbers with extra digits (+177228228195)
• Addresses that don’t check out—always cross-reference with Google Maps
• Brand-new domains (this one was through Wix, expiring 2026) signaling short-term operations

The Importance of Trust in Coin Collecting

Over decades in this hobby, I’ve learned trust is everything. I’ll never forget the dealer who sent coins on open invoice—letting me examine them before deciding to pay or return. That mutual respect paid off when I submitted 50-60 coins from trusted sources to CAC: over 80% earned green or gold beans. These days, I only buy from dealers I know personally or those with sterling reputations (ANA members get my vote), and I always prefer seeing coins in hand.

Practical Tips for Safe and Savvy Collecting

Whether you’re holding your first wheat penny or have cabinets full of ancients, these approaches have served me well:

• Build relationships with established dealers—check their affiliations and community standing
• New collectors: start with affordable coins locally before chasing online rarities
• eBay can yield gems, but verify seller ratings and watch for odd shipping costs
• Beware phishing scams—I recently got a fake FedEx email asking for personal details
• Share shady finds with fellow collectors; we protect each other

Our coin journey should excite us, not leave us wary. That Florida scam reminded me to listen to my instincts—when a deal feels too sweet, it usually is sour. Stay curious, stay cautious, and we’ll keep enjoying these historical treasures for years to come.