Anyone else think that this one is not genuine ? :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Grosh-1727_W0QQitemZ17...1QQcmdZViewItem

One would think that the die cutter could have done a better job with the letter O in GROSH.

RWJ

I believe it's a pure fantasy piece made rather at the end of XX century or even later not worth even several bucks (it's better to eat a good wrap for this money )

Bob, theroretically, there are 3 possiblilities: ORIGINAL, NOVODEL, IMITATION.<br>
An ORIGINAL should have the reticulated edge (and not the clumsy irregular screwdriver impressions shown. I know of no such edge in Russian numismatics). Further the 7s in the date are not the style of the time. Thirdly: Extemely rare coins are most often in extremely nice condition (having been spotted early, if issued at all). So in my opinion it's not an original.<br>A NOVODEL would have been a much more careful job than what we see. Here even more the impossibly poor edge speaks against a novodel. Thirdly, the condition is not a novodel's. I've never seen a novodel as worn as this item.<br>
I find no argument against this item being an IMITATION. It is, however a seductive thing and would have been even more so had the seller not shown the edge. Unfortunately, not many eBay offers contain the edge. And not all sellers provide it upon request. Best, Sigi

Here is a novodel I used to have that is pretty worn, and it comes from the famous Klingert collection. I assume it was worn off back than on purpose, in order to sell it as original.

Hello Igor,

Thanks for showing us the interesting novodel!


Bill