Item 8425121393 or

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Roubles-1832-...c mdZViewItem


on eBay, an 1832 platinum 12 roubles, is being sold through a hijacked
U.S. account. Usually the Ukrainians use an old eBay account from
Ukraine but perhaps they are running short of such material and have
switched to using U.S. accounts. Oddly enough, the U.S. account uses
standard Ukrainian terminolgy for its name.

The original Gelos (Moscow) auction photo may be viewed he

http://numizmat.gelos.ru/32colnum/nu...ages/18322.jpg

It was estimated at $18,000 to $20,000 but did not sell. The "U.S."
seller raised the condition from VF to Proof. There are already several
bids, now over $1,000, from buyers not realizing that all the winner
will likely get is a nice object lesson in being swindled.

The other two items from this seller also have photos stolen from the
same Gelos auction, of March 18, 2006. The very rare 1859 rouble also
had its grade raised; perhaps "Gradeflation" has hit the Ukrainians as well.

eBay has been notified and it will be interesting to see what happens.

RWJ