Borodino: http://www.sixbid.com/nav.php?p=viewlot&am...15&lot=1297

Nicholas: http://www.sixbid.com/nav.php?p=viewlot&am...15&lot=1327

Okay everyone, what are our takes on these coins, ie, eye appeal, grade, and ultimate value. please. Double the estimate? The Borodino is odd.

Happy New Year and thanks.

Because of the rainbow toning, I think the 1859 rouble will hit 2800- 3000$.
About Borodino, it looks okay to me, but these black spots...

My father had some silver dollars in a Whitman folder once. These have a round hole to display the coin ... it is open to the air, but has some kind of plasticized paper backing to keep the coin from falling out the back. After a couple of decades in this holder, the silver acquired spotting very similar to this coin. It looks like someone tried to clean it, but you can't get rid of those spots that easily.

I agree that 1859 rouble will , most likely, hit $3000. It looks really nice. Lately, we have seen lots of fakes coming to the market from "the East" and this particular example should be priced very high as this type is disappearing very fast in premium condition.
The Borodino rouble looks good too. Most likely, these dark spots can be removed. But the coin seems to be cleaned.

Regards from,