BKB

I think they all are (or most of them, anyway) until 1734. Some show more of the undercoin than the polushka design. I saw one like that, but the price tag was insane. They are overstruck on 1728 (1729) kopeks. It is interesting to find them with a Moscow edge. I got some mixed edge, but maybe only one that was not re-edged...

the first looks fake. The rest ..., but in this condition they should be around $15 for the bunch...

Just realized, I got a photo of 1833 emfx novodel. It is an overdate of 1830, which shows that they used same die for multiple year production. I was not allowed to share the photo, but can compare your coin to it if you post...

I know someone who has 5 kop spb raw. I will ask him to bring it to me to weigh it...

I love the 1795 mm. It is a gem and a rare find in any condition!

acid altered (IMHO)

You would see it is a novodel from the way coin looks... Those were minted much later, after the re-tooling. So the quality is much higher... I wish I could help you with weights, but all my novodels are slabbed :-(

1. To the first question I would like to get the answer myself. However, I personally never came across something like that even mentioned... 2 -- yes. There are novodels (in the very least) struck with new dies prepared by another engraver. I believe there were also restrikes with original dies in different metal. I read something about it. If it was also done in same metal is hard to tell -- after all there is no edge design... 3 -- most medals on ebay right now are fakes. There are even medals in gold sold at auctions people believe are fakes... I think it would be beneficial to consult catalogs (there are excellent works on russian medals) Diakov, Bitkin... There has to be some info you are looking for in those books.

that depends on the buyer...

Is it so easy to take a photo from ebay? They need to figure out a watermark protection system to stop that...

photograph it next to a normal 5 kop. Also, place it on top of the regular 5 kop and photograph the edge -- this would be a good start. A loss in weight would normally be associated with loss in mass. If the coin is the same size, but 1/2 in weight -- it must be made of aluminum, or something. I am no chemist, but what else would produce this result at the same size?

There are acid altered soviet coins. I have 10 kop as thin as a sheet of paper. Weighs nothing, but all design is there.

There are 2 lots: one by russiancoinshop - http://www.ebay.com/...=item3f1c521168 the other by fake seller malenat08: http://www.ebay.com/...=item2a22d036eb Look at the edge photo -- same photo, I think... This fake seller got balls... unless it is the same person who just mixed up photos... Whatever is going on, it is not kosher :-)

puli is tough. I only got 1810 (which was the one I was looking for) and it is in a dreadful condition. 1810 bisti is very easy. I got like 3 of them some place... can trade one for some easy stuff I am missing like some mason eagle 1 kop dates...if the trade is fair. :-)

crappy condition. I would go for 1811 -- rarely comes up for sale, so it is good enough to plug a hole. But, I hate surprises, and I stopped buying from WAG, because there were always surprises associated with every lot I bought, and those surprises were not pleasant...

Very funny. THis looks nothing like Avesta. The only reason for the other side is to see whether Steve called it right -- MM. For the following: 1. E over I; 2. Distance between the loop to cypher and crown to cypher; 3. "66" in date -- it is a 5 kop 1766 MM. Do not think it is a 2 kop -- design is wrong, but with those mintages you never know...

YES, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?! Can you not speak a human tongue?! :-) Now I know why I was never a nerd -- never had the brains to understand what that crowd was talking about .

I wonder, what is the premium for this being a set (as opposite to individual coins in mint condition)?

GX, as I promissed -- 1771 valak. As I said, the coin is real ugly...

Nice?! It is ugly as hell...

True, but you never showed it to me...

You believe right, but you never know... :-) Can I still see the one for me? :-)

I will get it out of the bank and make a photo for you.

Is this the one you promised me?

\Would love to buy XF at those prices. Sadly, still looking for XF or better...