lennysky Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 Hello everyone, I am a bit new to medals and this is my first Russian medal , however, I am not a novice to Russian Coins. Here it is, recently purchased this large bronze medal dated 1762 on ebay. It measures 65mm and its weight is 4.68oz, 4.26toz or 132.6 grams. It has a width of 0.5 centimeter. The details are super sharp, but one thing puzzles me is its edge. Although I can stand the medal on its edge, it appears to be somewhat uneven. Can someone shed some light and put my mind at eaze, or not. Scans are provided, but due to their size may be lacking a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennysky Posted October 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 I am surprized nobody has any thoughts on this medal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKB Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 Maybe better pictures would help? A scan perhaps?.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgorS Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 I am surprized nobody has any thoughts on this medal You must think we are here 24x7. I am here only half of that. I do not like the medal you are showing us. The surfaces are not right. The uneven edge is normally a sign of original 18th century striking, but not in this case. Does it have a ring or a dull thud? Most likely a copy of some sort. BTW, I bought 2 medals on Ebay recently that were no good and they looked much better than this one. Unless the seller is offering normal conditions (paypal, return, etc.) - do not buy on Ebay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what this medal should look like: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennysky Posted October 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 I can try to furnish better scans and will compare the two when I get home. The seller accepts paypal and returns. The medal is in my pocession now. Is the weight/size correct at least? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennysky Posted October 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 Igor can u please provide the edge view? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennysky Posted October 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 igors, the details on my medal when compared with what u provided as as detailed if not in some cases more detailed than on yours. But this could be an issue with your scan and lighting. I will attempt later to make a better scan of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgorS Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 igors, the details on my medal when compared with what u provided as as detailed if not in some cases more detailed than on yours. But this could be an issue with your scan and lighting. I will attempt later to make a better scan of mine. The weight does not matter. Does the medal have a nice ring or a dull thud when you ping it while balancing on your finger? I was not concerned with details but with surface quality in fields. Do not waste your time with better scans. Just try to evaluate it the best you can. BTW, I do not like the color either. The ultimate would be to show it to someone in person. Do not missunderstand me, I am not trying to give you hard time here, just trying to point you in the right direction (hopefully). My medal is not handy, so I can not make a scan of the edge right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennysky Posted October 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 Igor, I know that you not giving me a hard time and I really appreciate the input. I can return the medal, but really was hoping it was real. There is a small fleck of white showing on one edge (not sure what it is). I do have a photo(s) in a better light, which is more representative of its true color. If you would like, I can send you these to your email. If it would not be too much burden to evaluate it then. Any help is greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grivna1726 Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 I do not like the medal you are showing us. The surfaces are not right. Agreed. I think it is probably a cast copy. BTW, I bought 2 medals on Ebay recently that were no good and they looked much better than this one.Unless the seller is offering normal conditions (paypal, return, etc.) - do not buy on Ebay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCO Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Just send it for authentication to NGC/NCS, they authenticate/grade Russian medals. For a small fee you will know for sure what it is. NGC label that states “not genuine” is good enough to return to any dealer/seller, opinion you get on a forum is not sufficient though. WCO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennysky Posted October 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 I sent a high resolution photos to igors, hopefully he can tell me something. I am not sure I would spend more money to get the medal authenticated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCO Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 As you wish. At least you know that you have this option. WCO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgorS Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 I sent a high resolution photos to igors, hopefully he can tell me something. I am not sure I would spend more money to get the medal authenticated. I received the pictures. The one of the edge clearly shows that it is a galvanocopy - two halves pressed together with an attempt to cover the seam on the edge. Please show it here for members to see. As to other medals that you will come across - stay away from silvered copper/bronze medals. The Rissian mint produced gilded medals, but never silvered (to the best of my knowledge). A few years back there was an attack of those fakes and I still see them here and there on Ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexbq2 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 I received the pictures. The one of the edge clearly shows that it is a galvanocopy - two halves pressed together with an attempt to cover the seam on the edge. That should Thud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennysky Posted October 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Igor, if you can decrease the size of the edge please post it. I've asked my wife for way too many favors today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgorS Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Igor, if you can decrease the size of the edge please post it. I've asked my wife for way too many favors today Here it is: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grivna1726 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Here it is: Case closed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCO Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 May I reopen case with my question? Lennysky did you try to ring this medal? What was the sound? Does it have a dull thudding sound or a metallic bell-like sound? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldman Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 May I reopen case with my question? Lennysky did you try to ring this medal? What was the sound? Does it have a dull thudding sound or a metallic bell-like sound? Does it really matter ? Modern "specialists" can do any "sound". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCO Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Does it really matter ? Modern "specialists" can do any "sound". Oldman, have you ever seen a galvanocopy with metallic high tone "bell" sound? Your question/statement implies as if you did. WCO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altyn Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 a naive question - how is such a test performed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gxseries Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Whoa, never knew how deceptive galvanocopy can be Nevertheless, I would most likely end up buying a copy if the price is right. IgorS just wondering about the current market trend that I see on ebay - I see a lot of lead / pewter medals of that era appearing from time to time. Are these likely to be galvanocopy as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexbq2 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 a naive question - how is such a test performed? Take the medal/coin and drop it onto a hard surface (table) from about 5-10 cm. The medal/coin should have a metallic ring (ding) when it hits the surface. If not there could be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexbq2 Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Whoa, never knew how deceptive galvanocopy can be Nevertheless, I would most likely end up buying a copy if the price is right. IgorS just wondering about the current market trend that I see on ebay - I see a lot of lead / pewter medals of that era appearing from time to time. Are these likely to be galvanocopy as well? I would think that lead/pewter would be a cast. But according to BKB, pewter medals did exist - made for the lower classes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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