Opinion: Is this a cast copy with metal bubbling off a lead center?

[nicholasz219]

I saw this auction and there wasn't any chance I was going to bid on the item, but I was just wondering what was going on with the metal on the coin. As best as I can tell, it appears to be a cast copy with metal plating bubbling off of a denser metal center? Any opinions on this? I'm trying to educate myself on copies when they are not in hand and looking for warning signs through pictures on Ebay and what not because I would prefer to not inadvertently buy any copy coins. Sorry if I am a little naive or the questions are elementary.

 

http://www.ebay.com/...130813965875%26

 

Thanks,

 

Nicholasz219

[kopeikin]

IMHO it is authentic coin. Bubbling up of outer surface happenes due to corrosion under outer purer silver layer on some 18 century Russian coins. Coin is junk anyways due to this corrosion.

[nicholasz219]

Well, I'm learning Kopeikin. I typically buy coins in the $20-40 range and I stick to copper for the most part. That does leave me with some semblance of sanity in terms of figuring out genuine coins from copies. As I have been branching out into silver a little more, I am learning the field as I can from the computer and without trying to put too much money at risk. But yes, the coin was ugly, just looked unusual and caught my attention.

[alexbq2]

I saw that coin yesterday, and even saved the images. I'll agree with Kopeikin that some sort of internal corrosion is the cause, but I've nether seen such huge bubbles!

[nicholasz219]

A colleague on Collectors' Universe thought it looked like a contemporary fake with a copper core eventually allowing rust or verdergris to eat through the outer layer. Any thoughts?