Copies of coins. How to distinguish a fake?

Numismatics is a very interesting way to touch history. Here only sometimes there are curiosities, and the cherished acquisition has a much shorter history than we would like.

History of fakes

With the first money began to exist and counterfeits. Naturally, the counterfeit is created for the purpose of profit, however, even coins that have come out of circulation are not insured against a replica.

There is a huge mass of ways to counterfeit coins, and the development of technology is contributing to this process. If a few hundred years ago you could easily identify the authenticity of the coin in front of you, now it is an incredibly difficult process even for specialists.

Counterfeits of old coins

Released from use of money are also of interest to counterfeiters, but already in the form of antiques. An inexperienced numismatist is quite capable of acquiring such a counterfeit. Sometimes the quality of the fake is so high that even an experienced eye can be deceived.

For the most part, copying is not very rare coins, the price of which ranges from a couple of tens to hundreds of dollars. This trend has developed, in order to mislead novice collectors not very rare and seemingly similar to the original copy.

Imperial coins

Copies of royal coins can be found mostly silver, but there are many gold items. In search of rare specimens of silver, you can very likely run into a fake, because it is very difficult to make sure of authenticity.

Copies of coins, made of gold, are found at times less often. For the most part, due to the fact that when buying such a coin, the numismatist will be extremely cautious and will secure himself with a detailed verification of originality.

Almost all the coins of the time of tsarism acquired their copies. Find copies of coins on the Internet or in an antique shop will not be very difficult, but reliable sellers with a reputation always indicate a lack of uniqueness.

Replacement with original

In some cases, copies of coins are an alternative way for numismatists. Many coins were issued in small print runs or are very expensive and rare. Modern falsification of such rare antiques will find its place in the collection. Almost all high-quality counterfeits will be exactly identical to the original.

In addition to fakes, there are copies, issued as a souvenir. The difference in counterfeit and high-quality replica at a lower price, as well as inconspicuous details. When making a fake, absolutely all the subtleties are observed, and some elements are specially added or eliminated to the replica.

How to distinguish a fake

A common man in the street will find it difficult to determine whether a coin is genuine or not. But there are several basic possibilities for determining a copy of coins.

The simplest variant is a comparison of the coin with the original. In this case there is a great chance to recognize a fake. Usually the differences are in the small details, so it's important to look at the little things.

Sometimes a counterfeit coin is different in color. This is the most base copy. Silver coins have a lighter shade, while a bad fake is more like aluminum. More advanced counterfeits can be made of silver or have a coating of noble metal.

Quite often there are copies of coins of Russia or the Soviet Union, which have more weight than the original. For example, the ruble minted in 1924, having an ideal condition, weighs 20 grams, but its counterfeit fellow is 21. Do not lose the possibility of losing weight from the original coins during use, but the difference should be insignificant.

Studying of a grunt too is capable to bear the fruits. Usually a comparison with the original allows you to determine copies of coins. How to distinguish a fake with the help of a load? It is very likely that the copies will have small inconsistencies with the original coinage. For example: sometimes on fakes there is no name of a minsmeister or letters are located unevenly.

Some fakes are misleading with their old look. Appearing plaque gives the coin solidity and awakens confidence in authenticity. But this focus is fairly easy to crank with acid or baking coins. The result is a patina at home on a recently minted coin.

More problems arise with expensive and rare specimens. Forging such rarities, the masters take into account all the details, and it's difficult to determine the uniqueness by eye. For such cases, there are various examinations and tests that will help not run into a fake. For greater reliability when buying coins, you should turn to reliable places with established reputation.

Modern coins are also subject to copying. It may seem strange, but there is also a fake of Russia's small coins, some of which are of great interest to collectors.