alexbq2

Sold for $112

The seller actually states that this is not an original, and it isn't. As far as I have seen this is from a long running series manufactured in China. All years are covered, as well as both EM and BM mint. http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=150587387377

Looks like an 8 to me as well

Do you think that the counterstamped lion is actually Finnish?

Excellent! I had no idea December was the German spelling back then. Here's another curiosity: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=150580375576

Here's an unusual item. Russian rouble turned into a commemorative token? The inscription is in English - dated 1 December 1899. I can't quite make out the name: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=110664249531

I decided to start this thread to discuss curiosities on eBay. It's a general thread, and everyone is welcome to post anything curios. For instance, this auction for 1838 RUSSIAN COPPER MEDAL NICHOLAS I MS61 attracted my attention some time ago: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=170593229597 It seemed to have ended quite well, so I was surprised that the item was listed again on eBay.de: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574633083&toolid=10001&campid=5335826004&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&icep_item=170614761244 Interestingly enough the original auction went better. I wonder if this time the sale will go through.

Let me just begin by saying that I don't know chemistry. But I think I read somewhere at some point that hydrogen peroxide can be used. I've actually tried it. Bubbles form around the coin. After a few hours the green stuff changes. Sometimes it flakes off, sometimes it changes color. It becomes sort of dark, maybe even black, but sometimes it is lighter. If you then soak it in oil, these new rust cuds can be flaked off with a toothpick. I've experimented on a few coins. I am not in awe of the results, but I liked it better than just oil, or boiling in soda (which I tried once and will not do again). Peroxide does not seem to affect the patina, but oil might. Also, I ended up buying a 30% solution. The 3% solution that you can get at your pharmacy was not always enough.

I have not experimented too much, but I noticed that copper coins on black look lighter than in real life. But of course I will need to try it again with the new camera settings.

What background color do you prefer for copper coins, and what would work better for silver?

The White Balance camera presets appear to have solved my problem! Many thanks!!!

First off, my camera is CyberShot not CoolPix:) I have switched it from the automatic setting, and I see 3 fluorescent light options. I guess I'll need to try them out. I'll post an update on the results. Thanks!

The light was artificial, and it did not change. I have played somewhat with the camera settings, but could not get it to behave consistently. I'll look up the camera model a bit later.

I have a basic Sony Coolpix camera - point and click interface. But I can't get it to take the same picture twice. These picture were taken at the same time, under the same conditions. But the camera manages to auto-adjust differently, and the color of the two photos is quite different:

I'm willing to believe the Soviet restrike theory, but I might be among the minority. I actually don't think it that strange that such coin went undocumented for 110 years. -First, the Soviet mints are very secretive. -Second, they lost a lot of documents over the years so even if someone had access they might not find any records of such striking. -Third, I don't believe that there has been much effort of any kind of new cataloging of Russian coins until the last decade, at least not in Russia. -Fourth, gold coins were not easily traded/collected in russia due to prohibitive laws, and a lot were destroyed to get the metal, not sure if anyone was paying much attention in the west, I guess until the most recent decade they mostly traded as bullion. Of course it could be a well done fake. Let's say the forgerer did not feel like making a new piece for the edging, but wanted to introduce a new pair of copied dies (which as I understand are easier to make but wear out quicker), so he struck a few dozen coins with the new dies but the with old edge. I guess if all of a sudden we hear about more mixed coins like this one we'll know it is a forgery. Otherwise, I like the Soviet restrike idea!

Just a side note, the coin sold at Wolmar went for something like $250.

Here's one from Wolmar:

Fritz Rudolf Kuenker GmbH # 161 2009 IMHO not an improvement over mine. Nor this one: DMITRY MARKOV Coins & Medals # 21 2009

Haven't met the Empress...

Here's that 1739 polupoltinnik. I am pleased with it. Not too hard on the eye in person.

Thank you! I don't think I could afford to touch a higher grade one, so I decided to grab the less appealing specimen. IMHO this coin is much scarcer than the 1798 10 kopeeks and does not quite have as much air shining through it.

A lot is being said these days about low grade coins and how the market is leaning away from them, and perhaps there’s some truth to that, but true or not some popular and difficult coins still do well in auctions in spite of their hideousness. In the following auction, a holed 1798 10 kopeeks with very jagged multiple cuts into its edge was sold on ebay for over $100: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=200480153523

Looks great!

Not exactly a coin, but still Paul's, and silver, and I believe these were used as money.