gxseries

These sellers are getting smarter. They will blend in genuine coins in their sales to believe that they have a hoard of "decent" coins. Take for instance some of the coins he / she has sold. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1733-Russia-1-Rouble-Ruble-Silver-Coin-/171543261659?pt=US_World_Coins&hash=item27f0c671db&nma=true&si=daG8O16p%252BPu%252B45seD4UZzFbHHtM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1934-Russia-USSR-Coin-/171543281474?pt=US_World_Coins&hash=item27f0c6bf42&nma=true&si=daG8O16p%252BPu%252B45seD4UZzFbHHtM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1946-Russia-USSR-Coin-15-Kopeks-/171543274811?pt=US_World_Coins&hash=item27f0c6a53b&nma=true&si=daG8O16p%252BPu%252B45seD4UZzFbHHtM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 And then a very similar Spitsbergen coin is sold by this seller. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Russia-USSR-coin-15-kopeks-1946/131359733367?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D25214%26meid%3D6aba2749550047efab62b6c1d4cfad67%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D10628%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D171543274811 Here are a couple of articles with regards to the counterfeits. I know this is not Russian numismatics but there's no reason to suggest why it cannot be applied to other coinage. https://registry.ngccoin.hk/news/article/3996/world-coins-counterfeit-cuba-1915-silver-peso/ https://registry.ngccoin.hk/news/article/3945/world-coins-counterfeit-china-east-hopei-1937-chiao/

If you are bidding on any of them from these sellers, make sure you seek advice. Chances are you are better off winning the lottery instead of getting a random piece of metal (questionable "silver") http://www.ebay.com/sch/coins-coinshops/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3692 http://www.ebay.com/sch/supermarketcoinsshop/m.html?_nkw=&_trksid=p3692&_ipg=25&_from=&_armrs=1 http://www.ebay.com/sch/worldcoinsboutiqueshops/m.html?item=171541908250&rt=nc&pt=US_World_Coins&LH_Complete=1&hash=item27f0b1cb1a\ There's more but this is a head start.

I've been getting around to sort what I have and filter out what I want to get rid of. These albums would probably be one of the last that I may get rid of. These albums look impressive especially the old Dansco classic albums. You'll find it hard to believe that they were manufactured 50 years ago and still hold up better than some of the cheap stuff that are made these days. In fact, I believe one Japanese company had been inspired to make a similar album which is shown below. These are better than the Chinese albums that I have, featuring China and Taiwan. I had trouble scanning the Taiwanese coin album as the plastic faded into dark yellow and I had to adjust the color manually. On top of that, the coins were rattling - not one I would recommend. Cover is cheap vinyl like material. I'm not a big fan of the one side display album - shown with the Papua New Guinea coins. It's a real shame that such albums are just nearly impossible to obtain these days as well as having less choice when it comes to world coin albums. I've been designing some digital albums and if they ever go ahead, this is what they will look like. http://issuu.com/gxseries I have just attached a few resized scans of the albums. I still have to go through fixing the scans up. This will take some time. Please also feel free to post some of your coin albums!

The color looks more like brass which is typical if it is cleaned and polished. I highly recommend you to go to cointalk.com as there are more people that are well versed in ancient coins.

Wait till you see how much they are sold for... http://www.ebay.com/sch/mrthe77/m.html?item=201164667353&nma=true&orig_cvip=true&si=daG8O16p%252BPu%252B45seD4UZzFbHHtM%253D&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc http://www.ebay.com/sch/suria_27/m.html?item=111517920322&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc

Not too sure what it is but it seems it was damaged by acid. As of how it got corroded inside and not affect the rest of the coin surface, I don't know. Seems unusual. As of how it is related to KGB - I don't see it. If it is a "spy" coin, I would suspect there would have been a bit more fanciful stuff to it, i.e. transmitter.

I hope that you know that I am not that very judge that told you that. That said, the only other example that I can think of is that overstruck 1755 grivennik that was discussed some time ago. I'm hoping someone here saved that photo because it was quite spectacular. I thought I did but I had to replace my computer some time ago and can't find them since then. I did up a quick overlaying of the ruble against the host coin. It seems that some details don't match - maybe there are other varieties of this particular coin. What I have tried to do is to align circle that is in between the text and the main feature as well as aligning the hair. I reckon the host coin is cut down to 85% of it's original size. File is about 3mb large. http://gxseries.com/dump/1704_1r_thaler.gif Would like Steve's opinion when he gets around to seeing this

Did someone here get this particular coin??? Looks impressive in this condition and this is not a common variety. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-kopecks-1810-EM-NM-Extra-rare-condition-UNC-Beautiful-RARE-coin-/281462215312?nma=true&si=daG8O16p%252BPu%252B45seD4UZzFbHHtM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

BKB - I still think it's a possibility with all due respect. That said, has anyone saved a photo of a grivennik overstruck over a larger coin (and then cut) that was discussed a few years ago? I forgot to save it... http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php/topic/20187-1755-grivennik-overstruck-on/

BKB - I think this may have been cut at the mint to match the size of the ruble. I don't think it's an ex-jewellery.

I had a good look at it today as I had a bit more free time. Using Sigi's quality images as a reference (thanks Sigi) and making comparison, I agree that this coin is more likely to be overstruck over a TM over KM however it is not conclusive yet. If you take the first picture and rotate it 90 degrees anti clockwise, this is the original host coin of where the double head eagle was. In particular the open space in between the crown and fern, this is a clear sign of the curly banner design of "five kopek". Apologies in advance as I don't know how to describe this any better. When you compare KM and TM - KM's design is actually significantly smaller than TM with the exception of 1788/7 KM 5 kopek. Probability wise, this would reject the majority of KM 5 kopek however I would like to bring out more details when I get around to it. Still can't see KM or TM but given time, maybe something may pop out.

I like the 4 kopek - very very unusual overstrike feature!

I like it! Not easy to find pictures that show clear overstrikes especially silver coinage. Can you imagine what it was like back in those days when people received such coinage in circulation... 1 ruble must have been worth a fair amount of money back then. This is the original host coin if anyone is interested: http://www.coinfactswiki.com/wiki/Silesia-Liegnitz-Brieg_1657-EW_thaler_Dav-7731

Is it even genuine to start off with? What is the weight of it?

Welcome back!

It's worth -1 dollar. You pay me a dollar to get rid of it. I'm certain others will want more to get rid of it!

Many thanks Art!

This has been a rather long journey - with a total of just 50 coins, you would think this is an easy set to achieve. Catalog value might suggest one thing but I've learned it the hard way. Some surprisingly undervalued coins included 1933 1 fen, 1943 and 1944 5 fen and 1 fen and so forth. I've literally bought hundred of these coins and upgraded them along the way and sold off the duplicates. Not cheap but there has been some stunners in what I bought. Some strong UNC coins which are no longer affordable including a strong proof like, if not proof 1939 1 jiao. Some nice copper and aluminum coins as well. There are a couple of key date coins which I unfortunately realized that one is a counterfeit - 1939 5 li and 1943 1 jiao (old type) which is potentially a counterfeit. For now I decided to use them as fillers and keep on hunting for genuine examples. Most 5 li coins are difficult to find in reasonable condition except for 1934 and 1937. I reckon this album is a lot harder than you may think. A type set is very very easy to do however when attempting an entire set, this may take a while. Nevertheless, enough talk and enjoy the view! http://issuu.com/gxseries/docs/manchukuo_year_coin_album

I know they aren't common but I wasn't expecting this kind of price for circulated coins! http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-5-rubles-2003goda-originals-/181520236304?pt=US_World_Coins&hash=item2a4372ff10

Issued during the WWII era under the Japanese regime as a Japanese puppet state, Manchukuo coins were issued in four different denomination: 1 jiao (10 fen), 5 fen, 1 fen and 5 li (half fen). In the early years, 1 jiao and 5 fen coins were struck in decent nickel copper and the other two denomination in copper. As the war dragged on, coins were melted down for scrap and replaced with lighter or cheaper metal such as aluminum and eventually ended up as fiber. As you might imagine, these coins would not have been too popular with the public and would have been melted down over the years. As for the survival rate for these coins,they can be still found at reasonable prices at VF to XF prices. However some years can prove to be illusive despite catalog value or can be a white elephant! Fiber coins for some reason are still over valued in my opinion. These are a couple of coins which many catalogs underrate: 1933 1 fen Catalog value suggests that you can find a low grade coin for 10 - 20 dollars. Yes I know mine isn't that great in condition but try and look for a better one. Best of luck! This is the key for the entire copper 1 fen coinage. 1935 5 li Also a rather underrated coin. Catalog value might suggest 20 - 30 dollars but try to look for one like the above 1933 1 fen. This has essentially put an end to the easier coins of Manchukuo coins. I still would have to locate a couple of key dates which is 1943 1 jiao (old type) and 1939 5 li - which I unfortunately bought a copy of the 1939 5 li. Still doubting the authenticity of the 1943 1 jiao which I may look for a better and guaranteed genuine example down the road. Will be making an album version of this - have been upgrading a few coins and many coins are easily in XF to UNC condition, which may be difficult to assemble these days. Might want to check if you have any tough date coins! Please feel free to post yours.

I was under the impression that TM minted coins with net edge instead of the rope edge.

Igors, didn't notice that they had a different portrait. I had to look at the portrait and compared them side by side - the major difference that I can see is with Anna's clothing around the bust. Is this what the difference is?

This is a rather interesting one - I don't think it is common to find a similar double struck error coin. This is the coin that I have. Sincona has one for sale that looks really similar to what I have. https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=821&lot=141 Don't think I'll come across two similar error coins in near future. What do you reckon?

Sigi, if you can get your hands on Verdicare, I highly recommend you to give it a try. This is one of the links: http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/products/verdi-care.html Not too sure how the shipping would work but do inquire. You get results quicker than olive oil and I had mostly good results. The only exception is when the coin was cleaned and was covered by artificial patina and verdigris - there's not much you can do with either olive oil or Verdicare other than letting it retone. Give it a test on a lower value 5 kopek before you take my word for it

It can happen IMIS - imagine a couple of hundred years ago, someone kept their coins away and handed them down generation after generation. Fair enough, back in those days, coins were worth some decent amount of money and not many would have kept coins as a hobby. I would be more surprised if this kind of tradition never occurred. All you need is just one special coin that never appeared in the public to make it in the news.