My Fake German WWII 2 Ounce Bar, What SHould I Do with it?

[WW2germanbar]

I acquired this silver bar from the estate of a WWII and Vietnam veteran who ended up by Vietnam being of a pretty high position. I cant give out the identity of this person because of the sensitivity of the family . The family was not told by him how he acquired the item or was not willing to say how. But it has multiple very interesting markings, some pretty obvious what they mean, others im not so sure. Please if anyone could help out it would be greatly appreciated. Again there are a few markings that are obvious like the SS ,swastika,and 1944 (which im assuming is the year). Im going to guess as well that the 999 means the purity of the silver, but i dont know anything about this stuff. Im sure I will never find out the amazing journey this silver bar took, but also if you have any knowledge of what Germany was doing with these silver bars during the war would be invited information. It seems semi crude. Ive heard that German soldiers might have used them for currency, but who knows.

The stamp in the center of the top thats very small im very curious about, I am not even sure exactly what it says its so small, but I think it says "WGA63" or something else,maybe you can tell.

So the unknown markings are the F and S at the very bottom front at each corner, going up from the bottom front, the "999", then the most unusual the what looks like WGA63 with a symbol above it, above that is the Swastika eagle and to the right the SS symbol. on the back the "AWZ" I also have no clue about but have a possible guess, and the "1944"

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

Here's an article that answers questions about these bars:

http://www.mercierarmory.com/militaria/article.html

Trev.

[WW2germanbar]

Wow, that freaking sucks, this person I acquired it from had a persons name and rank and everything. And it checked out whom that person was. The only thing I could say is the bar that I have looks a little better, those others looks a lot sloppier, but a lot of the exact stamping a are used. And the paperwork aspect of it I have seen on documentaries is the opposite, if soldiers could fit it in a envelope they could send it home postage free during WWII, and that was reported by multiple history channel documentaries. But I was wary to buy the silver bar having a bad feeling it could be fake, wondering why it had not been bought yet. Is at all possible that there are some that are real that whoever is faking them copied what they saw? Almost all those fakes show are very very crude or are all the same shape, mine does look different but prob is fake as well.


Now what to do with it? I even contacted the family of said owner! And I got a response of I'll look into it but with no response. Also dragging a decorated dead vet into the selling of fake silver spoils of war is sick. How can people be so low and sick like that.

Do I bring it somewhere to have melted down? And have 2 ounces worth about $40? Man that really sucks. I'd be embarrassed to bring it to a smelter even. But the silver is at least worth something. A lot less than I paid. I thought I had a really cool piece of history. Very,very disappointed.

Maybe the quality of the bars being made by the Germans in the camps was not the best quality. Or outside the camps especially during my supposed 1944 year , it seems like at that point in the war they were not doing so well and quality of things weren't as good as years before. But I had a feeling it could be fake and do think it is.

[WW2germanbar]

Im so disappointed, i dont have much money, and at the time came across a few grand and figured this would only increase in value anyways. and i love collecting but dont get to almost at all anymore because of health issues resulting in very very little money.

Again anyone have any ideas on what to do with it?

[WW2germanbar]

someone please help with what i should do with it? get it melted down?? I cant sell it unless it was to someone who i made crystal clear its fake, but then they could deceive someone possibly. So im thinking the only thing to do is get it melted down.

[Peach]

Was this bought off an online auction site or through and online ad? Do the sellers have more of the same? You may have some recourse through the selling venue or if you paid by paypal or credit card. If you paid by cash, there will be almost no way to get your money back. You would have to prove fraud by the seller ie, they knew they were selling a fake. Sorry for the crap you are going through.

Roberta

[WW2germanbar]

I bought it threw eBay, and there were signs of deception like when I asked for more Information to get it authenticated he said he couldn't help even though saying he got it from an estate sale. So there were signs he knew, he also gave me the name of the decorated WWII and Vietnam vet as the previous owner. I emailed him today basically saying he sold me a fake and I want my money back and either he got ripped off and he needs to go after those people he bought it from or I'm guessing he's going to refuse and say it was sold to him under false pretenses and he didn't know. But it falls under ebays not as advertised clearly. But I bought it in 2010, not sure if eBay will be willing to do anything. But I think counterfeiting silver bars that are supposedly from another country seems like a very big deal. eBay will always ask that both parties return the money and the goods to rectify the problem. If one party refuses then they look Into it. I'll give the seller a few days to respond then contact eBay. I guarantee they have cases already dealt with of sellers selling these kind of bars.

[Hose_dk]

In my oppinion it is vital to spread knowledge.
However in my country we have a saying that translated goes "The last fool (or idiot) has not been born yet". Therefor it is vital to get it away from circulation. Thats what you can do. You have spend to much money in an attempt to profit.
No reasen to add froad (i think that is the word)
The struggle is never ending - but still honesty last. I would never pass on my loss (and not knowing) There are lots of fake arround - but if noone say STOP it will go on.
Museums have bought lots of fake - they keep them registred but away from cirkulation.

So no matter how low an economy you have - you would never enter a shop or a bank carrying a gun or a knife - so get the piece out of circulation.
Do the right thing as in every other situation.

[Hose_dk]

Sorry to hear that you bought a fake.
You must do what you can to stop seller.
Contact eBay, but even contact police - noone of them will take action - but when mutiple people do it will affect seller.
Also make warnings - like here.
That is not much but thats proberly all you can do.

[WW2germanbar]

Sorry to hear that you bought a fake.
You must do what you can to stop seller.
Contact eBay, but even contact police - noone of them will take action - but when mutiple people do it will affect seller.
Also make warnings - like here.
That is not much but thats proberly all you can do.

why do you think eBay wouldnt do anything? the resolution center always tries to do soemthing to make parties happy. again they first just ask that both parties reverse the sale, returning the item and money. so they would ask the seller to take part in just that. I think this seller knew what was going on, hes not responding to emails, so I think i have to step up my reaction and file a report with eBay.

[Hose_dk]

I hope that eBay will react. I do not have great expectations. But I sincerely hope that it will do good.
Auktion was in 2010 so you cannot leave negative feedback.

But I hope that eBay and police will take it seriously.

Please also write your experience at bulletin boards. Warning against seller. We all have the interest that these sellers are stopped.

[WW2germanbar]

its possible this person didnt know, but I think he did, because i am pretty sure he claimed he personally got it from an estate sale, and upon purchase would provide me of the person who served during WWII, he did with the silver bar give a hand written note that said the name of the person, their eventual final rank, and how they served in WWII and Vietnam (as a high ranking official during nam), the person he said existed and was what he said. but im thinking he found the persons name somehow, even online maybe , who knows. to use someones name is sick.