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How much do the most expensive coins of Tsarist Russia cost? Where can you find them? Surely you have asked yourself such questions more than once. And this is not surprising. The answers to them have always been and will be of interest to a large number of people, and not only collectors and numismatists. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, there is no definite answer to these questions, since the very concept of “the most expensive coin” is very arbitrary. There is always the possibility that there will be an even rarer and more expensive item that will break the existing price record.
"Konstantinovsky ruble". Year: 1825
On the obverse of the coin, the year of minting is visible - 1825, and there is a portrait of a bald man with a short nose and sideburns. Incorrect, the “Konstantinovsky ruble” is the most mysterious coin of all the royal coins, because. We never had Emperor Constantine in the history of that time . So people think about who is depicted on the obverse.
According to one version, which is hard to believe, this was an absurd mistake by the mint's minters. According to the second version, which is more plausible, the coin was minted in advance, when they were planning the coronation of Konstantin Pavlovich, the then prince. But for some reason, Tsarevich Konstantin refused the crown and gave up the throne to his brother Nicholas I. This copy was valued at about 100 thousand dollars.
Konstantinovsky ruble 1825
Where to sell and buy coins of Paul I
Since today there are a huge number of valuable coins, a variety of numismatics stores operating offline or online will help you assemble your own collection. Often inexpensive coins are offered in numismatic clubs, online auctions or antique shops. Particularly valuable items will have to be guarded at large auctions, the dates of which auction houses announce in advance and provide information about future lots.
You can also sell your existing coins in the listed places, but here it all depends on what conditions suit you. A quick sale with a low profit can be made in pawn shops or from buyers (many antiques or numismatics websites have offers to buy). An auction usually promises the most profitable sale, although it does not guarantee that the transaction will be successful. Inexpensive coins can be offered in online auctions where bids are accepted up to a certain period of time.
It is better to put up the rarest high-value items for auction at auction houses, and choose the site carefully. This is due to the fact that each auction organizer offers its own conditions and takes its own commission, which in the light of a multimillion-dollar transaction can be quite significant. It is also worth considering that this method of sales requires a long time, which can last for six months or more.
Valuable varieties
Do you want to go even deeper into the study of modern Russian coins? To do this you will need a magnifying glass and a catalog of varieties.
Read more about the types of coins.
The differences in some expensive varieties are microscopic; understanding them will not be so easy. Although there are simple and at the same time very valuable options. Photos with the features and prices of such varieties accessible to beginners are collected below.
What 10 rubles are worth?
In 2010, the St. Petersburg Mint used two types of dies for minting tens. The usual version has a pronounced groove between the lines and the inner wall of the zero, and in a rare type, the lines inside the zero touch its walls. Rare 10 rubles cost about 1000 rubles.
Among the chervonets of 2013, you should look for expensive specimens with a three in date with a straight tail looking down (without a thickening at the end). You can sell this option for 300 thousand rubles.
Also pay attention to the 10 rubles of 2021 with a higher placement of the mint mark. This variety was found relatively recently, so far we are talking about single specimens, so the cost is very high.
Read more about the varieties of 10 rubles in 2021.
Expensive options for the 1 ruble coin
Among the numerous rubles with the date “1997”, you should choose copies with the letters “MMD” and an edge wider than the standard one. Whether the edge is wide or not will definitely indicate the leaf on the side opposite the eagle. If the leaf is partially covered by an edging, then the edging is wide. Such a ruble will cost up to 6 thousand rubles.
In 1998, a version of the ruble with a wide edge was also produced, but its width was slightly smaller compared to 1997, so the edge of the expensive version barely touches the leaf. Price - up to 2.5 thousand.
10-kopeck coins with high price
If you get your hands on a 2001 SP 10 kopeck coin, then carefully examine the cloak of St. George the Victorious. Longitudinal folds on the cloak will make it possible to sell 10 kopecks for 1-2 thousand rubles.
10 kopecks 2002 SP also has a rare variant. A valuable specimen has an edged bottom sheet, it costs 800-1000 rubles.
5 kopecks
5 kopecks issued in 2002 and 2003 may not have a mint mark. The letterless version of 2002 is estimated at up to 6,000 rubles, the price of the 2003 issue without a mint mark is up to 2,000 rubles.
1 kopeck
1 kopeck 2004 with the letter M has two options. The more valuable one costs up to 1000 rubles; it has double reins.
How to determine authenticity at home
Due to the interest in rare and valuable coins, there are many who want to counterfeit them for sale. Experienced numismatists will easily detect a fake, but you can determine the authenticity of a coin of Tsarist Russia at home, just pay attention to certain parameters and nuances.
By size, weight and magnetic properties
The main characteristic of old coins was their weight, since the denomination was tied to the value of the metal. A small number of banknotes correspond to the established weight, but catalogs usually indicate the permissible deviation from the norm. If the weight of the product differs greatly from the catalogue, there is reason to doubt its authenticity.
Due to problems with adjusting the weight, distributors of copies tried to adjust them by increasing the thickness.
A noticeable deviation from the norm should be alarming. There are cases of manufacturing defects, when the blank for the product was cut out of someone else's sheet, but then, along with the thickness, the weight will also change.
You can try to check questionable coins with a magnet. Pure gold and silver do not have magnetic properties, and if the product is attracted to a magnet, then it is definitely not original. Creators of copies are most often aware of this nuance and try to use non-magnetic alloys.
Along the edge, reverse and obverse
During a visual inspection, close attention should be paid to the rib. A smooth edge should alert you, the exception concerns circulations where this design option is actually provided. It is best to compare with catalog photos to ensure that the edge of the banknote matches the specific period.
At the moment it is quite difficult to fake a convex edge or a version with a complex pattern
.
Replica makers prefer to replace it with a depressed or grooved rib. The appearance of the reverse and obverse of the product often makes it possible to identify a fake due to the presence of blurry details and extra small bubbles that can only be seen under a magnifying glass. Some even confuse the letters; you need to look closely at the images and text.
By the nature of the patina and shine
Patina can appear differently on each metal. It is better to inspect it carefully: uneven distribution indicates a fake when chips or scratches remain uncovered.
The following describes the appearance of patina on different coins:
- on copper – it develops early, has blue-green tints, a loose film with sagging indicates a fake;
- on silver - first a yellowish coating appears, over time it gives way to crimson, and even later - blue-green;
- on gold , a patina does not form; dark dots may indicate the presence of copper in the composition.
Important! Fraudsters have learned to cover coins with artificial patina, in which case only an expert can find the original.
Counterfeits are often over-polished, resulting in a bright sheen that is not typical for older banknotes. In this way, the creators of copies try to hide defects that arise during the casting of banknotes.
By sound
If the product is original, then when it falls on a flat and hard surface it produces a clear and clear sound. The copy makes a dull sound, which is not typical for coin alloys.
For modifications of details
Counterfeiters modify the reverse and obverse elements mechanically, soldering the letters and sawing off the signs. If you look closely, the differences will be noticeable even with a quick comparison with the catalog versions. Usually this is done with banknotes that have a large number of varieties.
Examples of fakes from photos
When paying attention to the details, it is immediately noticeable that the copy is visually inferior to the original in a number of characteristics.
There are a number of characteristics that will help distinguish a fake from the original even with the naked eye.
Counterfeits are found in any coin lots that are considered valuable
Catalog search
You need to be able to work with a catalog of coins in order to weed out non-existent copies. It will be useful to have knowledge about the years of issue and circulation of a particular numismatic item.
The wrong letters or a discrepancy between the designations and the mint may indicate a fake.
For example, in the photo above there is a fake banknote, because 10 ruble coins with such a portrait of Nicholas II were minted only in 1898, and the 1985 copies look different. Knowledge about the circulation will allow you to understand that it is unlikely that a rare copy can be easily purchased on a website with advertisements or through a forum.
