DJB

I won't swear on it, but these look okay. The proof would be the edge pattern. Also, there are die varieties available from what I read. Here's one from my collection.

MOLDAVIA & WALLACHIA~1 Para/3 Dengi 1772 <Large Crown>

Unfortunately, this is a recent trend making quality replicas / counterfeits for profit. Something that is very difficult to stop, but should be outlawed. Any replica must bare a mark indicating that it is a replica.

 

Agreed. The 2 Kopek is a very nice looking replica, but that's what bothered me. Although I knew this was not an original coin, or Novodel, someone who is less knowledgeable might get tricked into paying a small (or not so small) fortune for coins like this one. I only bought this as a curiosity piece for my collection.

Here are a couple of so-called Novodels I bought at cheap prices. I knew these weren't the real deal, but they were interesting. The Siberian 2 Kopek from 1763 is a curious piece since there were no records of this denomination being struck in 1763. I figured it was either a modern fantasy issue, or it was spurious. The 1764 Grivnnik is one I picked up over a year ago. Again, I knew it wasn't original, but it was a good filler, since the originals are extremely rare,and waaaay out of my price range. Still, I hope people find these images helpful, as to know what phony Novodels look like.

SIBERIA (REGIONAL)~2 Kopek 1763

SIBERIA (REGIONAL)~Grivnnik 1764

Here's one I got within the last month. By the way Alex, I love the medieval Georgian piece you posted. Tamara's coins are really cool and among the most unique of the ones I've seen. Thanks for posting.

GEORGIA~1 Abazi 1211 AH/1797 AD

The 1771 issue seem illusive. The 1772 and 1773 are the most commonly found for both denominations, but are usually in low grade. The 5 Kopeks that show up are either in such poor condition, they are not worth the effort, or are fakes. Here are a couple Sadagura pieces from 1772 and 1773 from my collection.

MOLDAVIA & WALLACHIA~1 Para/3 Dengi 1772 (Large Crown)

MOLDAVIA & WALLACHIA~2 Para/3 Kopek 1773

Nice images. Early Georgian coins are getting harder to find and also getting more expensive. Here are a few from my collection.

GEORGIA (KINGDOM)~AE Follis 422 KC/1200 AD

GEORGIA (KINGDOM)~1 Bisti 1787

GEORGIA~2 Abazi 1816

GEORGIA~2 Abazi 1833

Nice coin. I don't think it looks that bad. You did what felt you had to, to prevent the coin from degrading. On another subject. Is that a die clash error I'm noticing. I'm seeing a shadow image of the reverse pattern showing in the lower right corner of the obverse. Interesting.

Here is one of my more recent entries:

 

Nice specimen 'Saor Alba'. Here's a 100 Peseta silver proof with the same design from my collection.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA~100 Pesetas <Proof> 1970

I started collecting low denomination U.S. coins when I was 9 years old, then I started taking an interest in foreign coins in my early teens when my father gave me a can full of foreign pieces. Eventually I narrowed my focus to Eastern Europe and Russia. Currently, I've been focusing on coins from the medieval Balkan region, but I'll buy basically anything that captures my interest.

Be warned though: don't be fooled by sellers who claim coins as novodels. Novodels are supposed to be official "restrikes" by the mint, not some crazy fantasy or counterfeit coins.

 

Novodels are very collectible but make sure that they are authentic.

My other favorite is sellers who refer to fakes as 'Trial Strikes'. Novodels, Trial Strikes, when I see these listed, I think to myself 'Oh is that what they're calling these now?'. I wonder how many buyers fall into this trap?

This is a 15 Kopek coin from the Russian Empire 1917. This is the last of the Imperial issues.