My Close Call with Ancient Rare Coins Scams in Florida: A Collector’s Alert

For decades, I’ve hunted ancient coins, chasing that rush when history fits in your palm. Recently, while tracking a shipwreck coin mentioned in an old book, I spotted an online dealer offering what looked like the deal of a lifetime—an underpriced rarity with free UK shipping for just $200. My heart skipped a beat before my gut screamed: “Too good to be true.” That moment pulled back the curtain on Florida’s shady coin market, where digital traps wait for eager collectors. Let me walk you through my close call so you can dodge these scams and keep the thrill alive.

My Brush with a Suspicious Deal

There it was—an Ex-Lutine coin with its original 1938 box and COA, priced at a laughable $200. As someone who’s chased this rarity for years, I almost clicked “buy” before common sense kicked in. That price, plus free international shipping? No way. Digging deeper revealed ancientrarecoins.com used stolen images and hijacked addresses, even pinching Gables Coin & Stamp Shop’s Miami location. When I called Gables, they confirmed they’d never heard of these clowns. Turns out this outfit popped up in 2025 through Wix, running classic bait-and-switch scams targeting hot items like Vespasian aurei. Lesson learned: in today’s market, trust nothing at face value.

Red Flags to Spot Scams Like a Pro

After that scare, I’ve sharpened my scam radar. Here’s what sets off alarms now:

• Pricing that makes you sweat: If a rare piece costs way under market—like that $200 Ex-Lutine—run. Your instincts know before your brain catches up.
• Sketchy contact info: Missing ‘About Us’ pages? Suspicious numbers like their +177228228195? Dead payment links? All bad signs. Always call the listed address to verify.
• Stolen identities: Scammers love swiping legit business addresses. A quick WHOIS lookup showed their domain expires in 2026—classic fly-by-night operation.
• No physical presence: Reputable dealers usually have actual shops. If you can’t find store photos or social proof, steer clear.

Spotting these early saved my wallet, especially remembering how I took risks as a new collector chasing dream pieces.

Building Trust with Reputable Dealers

Trust is currency in our world. I still remember a dealer who’d ship coins on open invoice—no payment upfront—letting me pay or return them. That faith paid off when I submitted 50-60 pieces to CAC: over 80% scored green or gold tags, proving honest sourcing matters. These days, I stick with dealers I’ve shaken hands with at shows. New to the game? Start with ANA-lifetime members like Gables, and always ask for references. And watch for sneaky copycat sites—even trusted names get impersonated.

Practical Tips for Savvy Collecting

Here’s what decades of collecting have taught me:

• Grading realities: Coins from trusted sources often grade higher, like my CAC batch. Provenance and COAs aren’t just paperwork—they’re armor against fakes.
• Market targets: Scammers hunt high-end rarities where collectors drop big cash. Ancient and shipwreck coins? Extra caution needed. Florida’s oddly scam-heavy—vet local dealers twice.
• New collector advice: Start small through auction houses or coin clubs. Never rush—hold pieces in hand or demand verified video calls.
• Community power: When I spotted this scam, Reddit forums confirmed it. Sharing warnings protects us all.

At its heart, coin collecting should pulse with historical wonder, not scam-avoidance drills. Build relationships, stay curious, and keep your eyes peeled. Happy hunting—and may your finds be genuine.