Greatest Numismatic Crimes

Fun topic that got me thinking... what was the worst numismatic crime you ever witnessed that had you smacking your head? Ill get it started... once walked into flea market and some guy had a literal basket full of silver 3 cent pieces from the 1850s. They all had holes punched in them... the guy selling them told me he did it to use these pieces for jewelry.

From nearly nine years ago ...

https://en.numista.com/forum/topic12867-3.html#p142639
https://en.numista.com/forum/topic12867-3.html#p142659

Where I got all those coins from the top (so just recently added) of a bargain
bin that was destined for recycling / melting down shortly after. Most of
just the UK coins were 1723 to 1859 date. Still have all of them.

For me it's the infamous "TU DOMINE SPES MEA" issued by the reader digest without any mention indicating that it's a copy a gold coin that worths 800€
So well copied that even members of Numista ignore that it's a copy (rarity: 65)

Quote: "Frenchlover"​For me it's the infamous "TU DOMINE SPES MEA" issued by the reader digest without any mention indicating that it's a copy a gold coin that worths 800€
​So well copied that even members of Numista ignore that it's a copy (rarity: 65)

​Yeah its fears of stuff like this that drives me to pay a premium to only buy gold coins from 100% legit coin dealers like apmex

Quote: "ZacUK"​ From nearly nine years ago ...
​
​https://en.numista.com/forum/topic12867-3.html#p142639
​https://en.numista.com/forum/topic12867-3.html#p142659
​
​ Where I got all those coins from the top (so just recently added) of a bargain
​bin that was destined for recycling / melting down shortly after. Most of
​just the UK coins were 1723 to 1859 date. Still have all of them.

​that sounds more like a honey hole find. I got plenty of those stories lol... once found an 1805 and 1814 American dimes in the junk silver bucket for $1.30/ea. Last I checked the 1805 alone is north of $200. Also came into store once with $10 cash and used every penny buying silver dollar to half dollar sized silver coins that were in a 5/$1 bucket.