Anyone know what the heck this is?

[EASmithV]

And why he's put such an obscene price tag on it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-400m...item337ea09945

[polyglot]

It could be an aerial mapping lens, but there isn't much call for those to be f/4.5 since they're generally shooting stuff under Sunny-16 conditions.

As to the price, it could be part of a money-laundering operation. Crappy old lens (unusual or obfuscated enough that it's hard to argue its real market value) goes one way, big sack of cash goes the other and the eBay transaction legitimises

[semi-ambivalent]

And why he's put such an obscene price tag on it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-400m...item337ea09945

No, but I'd pass just because of the ad's typography.

[ME Super]

Free shipping!. I would hope so, considering how much he's asking for it!!

[Alan W]

Hey,it's rare earth glass!

[AndreasT]

1 000 000 ?!?

[Dan Fromm]

The prices smell like a typo.

The lens, well, it smells like a 400/6.3 Telemar-17. There are several on offer on eBay at much lower prices. See the 1963 GOI catalog, which can be downloaded from: http://www.lallement.com/pictures/files.htm If you look in the catalog, you'll find two other 400/6.3s. I'm pretty sure it isn't an Arktik-A or an Ob-87. None of these lenses has anything like the claimed coverage.

The seller reeks of ignorance.

[desertratt]

Well, the price tag got your attention and you presumably got a bunch of people to look at the listing and you can't hit a home run if you don't go to bat. I suggest people not get their underwear in a twist due to some outrageous claims most likely based on thin air that are made just so you'll pay attention.
I know this trailer park where a real, no kidding, convicted Chinese spy used to live with her sometimes-fugitive hubby. I am not making this up. Maybe I should sell maaybe-real "autographs" or something. Maybe that way I'll get folks' attention and I can sell them other overpriced stuff.
As to rare earth metals, your car has a bunch of that in it, and if it's a hybrid a whole bunch.

[Jeff Kubach]

At that price why not get a dozen!

Jeff

[AgX]

It is as typographic error. Bear in mind that in the anglo-american world dot and comma have an opposite meaning concerning figures than in other ports of the world.
I once erroneously typed in a bid on a US-site german-wise and also got something of that kind. But was warned by the system....