The largest database of auction passes for free online valuation of coins from photos. What you need to know first when determining the authenticity of coins How to find out which country a coin is from

Alexander Igorevich

Reading time: ~4 minutes

How to independently determine whether a coin is simple or “gold”? Or, in other words, how to guess the true value of a coin, which in some cases can significantly exceed the nominal value? Let's look into the secrets of numismatists and try to determine which money is just money, and which is a whole treasure.

Initiative is punishable

Suppose you come across an unusual coin. It may be in excellent condition - clean and shiny, or it may be dirty. There is a temptation, and then judge the details of the coinage on it and show it to specialists to determine the value.

But this path is wrong! Even though the coin is made of metal. It also deteriorates, and you can distort some of the nuances of the image. The coin will eventually sparkle, but not in the way it should. No chemicals and especially rough mechanical methods of cleaning metal should not be used. The maximum is washing in a solution of baby soap. If you have the opportunity to contact an expert in this matter, do so.

For selfish sake

Speaking of experts. If the coin has been cleaned or does not require any exercise at all, the most logical next action is a coin that knows in all its intricacies the price on the market of both ancient and modern coins, and from different countries.

You must understand that you can only trust a trusted person - your friend or someone about whom you have heard reliable positive reviews. Otherwise, you may hear a price lower than the true one. And all because many will want to buy a coin from you at a favorable price, and then assign it a “full price”.

Search and don't give up

In general, numismatics does not tolerate spontaneous conclusions and fuss. If you want to unravel the mystery of your coin, the uniqueness of which you suspect, without the help of third parties, it is better to be patient and study existing catalogs of collectible coins. This is a long but exciting process - the same as any serious research.

It may turn out that you will recognize the “portrait” of the treasured money, its description and its price on the market. And if not, then you will still discover a lot of new and useful things about numismatics and expand the boundaries of your knowledge.

You will learn important information that catalog writers pay attention to. And it is this information that is decisive in setting the price of a collectible coin.

The main indicators of expert assessment of coins are as follows:

• type of metal;
• size;
• circulation;
• artistic value;
• time and place of release;
• the presence of deviations from the norm in the minting of most coins of this series;
• factory defect;
• degree of preservation;
• rarity on the market;
• demand from collectors.

Just by counting your change you may find extremely valuable modern coin. In fact, to increase your chances of success, you need to put in very little effort.

Here are a couple of tips to help you.

1) Study the list of modern rare coins.

In short, the list looks like this:

• 5 kopecks, 1999, SPMD - 250 thousand rubles
• 5 rubles, 1999, MMD - 450 thousand rubles
• 50 kopecks, 2001, MMD - 250 thousand rubles
• 1 ruble, 2001, MMD - 250 thousand rubles
• 2 rubles, 2001, MMD - 250 thousand rubles
• 5 kopecks, 2002, without sign - 8.5 thousand rubles
• 1 ruble, 2002, MMD and SPMD - 6 thousand rubles
• 2 rubles, 2002, MMD and SPMD - 8 thousand rubles
• 5 rubles, 2002, MMD and SPMD - 10 thousand rubles
• 1, 2, 5 rubles, 2003, MMD - 250 thousand rubles
• 1 ruble, 2003, SPMD - 20 thousand rubles
• 2 rubles, 2003, SPMD, - 15 thousand rubles
• 5 rubles, 2003, SPMD - 10 thousand rubles
• 5 kopecks, 2003, without sign - 1750 rubles
• 5 rubles, 2006, SPMD - 250 thousand rubles
• 10 rubles, 2010, “Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug” - 10 thousand rubles
• 10 rubles, 2010, “Chechen Republic” - 5.5 thousand rubles
• 10 rubles, 2010, “Perm region” - 3 thousand rubles
• 1 and 5 kopecks 2011, SPMD - 200 thousand rubles
• 50 kopecks, 1, 2, 5 rubles 2011, SPMD - 150 thousand rubles
• 10, 50 kopecks, 1, 2, 5 rubles 2012, SPMD - 250 thousand rubles
• 1,5,10,50 kopecks and 1, 2, 5 rubles 2014 and 2015 SPMD - 200 thousand rubles

You can read about the top 5 most expensive small change coins in modern Russia and

2) Carry a list with you.

Enter the list of rare coins into your phone or print it out on paper and put it in your wallet.
In addition to the coins mentioned in the list, you can add variations of coins that were “defective” in production; they are also quite expensive. This will help you find rare coins faster. Over time, you may learn the list by heart. Stay tuned for list updates on numismatic sites. Up-to-date information is usually contained

3) Develop a habit.

Just check your change every time you get it in your hands. It only takes a few seconds and the results can be stunning. Keep a special envelope or bag in your wallet in case you discover a rarity. Put coins there that have caused you doubts, so as not to accidentally give them away in the store. Well, if you don’t want to embarrass people, go through the change in your wallet and pockets in the evenings.

4) Carry a small magnifying glass with you.

There are some manufacturing errors, and the mint mark cannot be seen without a magnifying glass. A 5x magnification is usually enough. You can attach the magnifying glass as a keychain.

5) Look for places.

In some stores (usually small ones) they most often sell in small change. They also sell change in kiosks, in Rospechat, in mini-pavilions, and in markets. Visit such places more often. Or change banknotes on buses with conductors.

6) Use cash more often.

Paying by card is fine, but if you are going to find a rare coin, turn the numbers on the plastic into hard cash. Every coin that passes through your hands is like a chance to win the lottery. Don't deprive yourself of the opportunity to win.

Probably every collector had a coin in his collection that was initially impossible to identify without the help of other people, searching for information on the Internet, catalogs or books. Of course, searching for information is an interesting process, but you must know where to start first. I will try to outline my experience with what methods are best to identify an unknown coin - indicate the country of origin, denomination, year, catalog numbers.

And so an unknown coin fell into your hands, about which you would like to know more. The question is, where to start?

• Internet crawlers

• Search by coats of arms

• Asking other collectors for help

• E-mail me!

I will try to tell this to other site visitors!

Due to the increasing interest in numismatics in the world, the number of counterfeit coins is also increasing exponentially. This is especially true for rare, ancient, expensive coins made of precious metals, but rare coin defects are also counterfeited.

Experienced numismatists say that after 2 years of active interest in numismatics, a collector, willy-nilly, begins to distinguish original coins from fakes. What might a novice numismatist need to determine the authenticity of coins and, in general, how to determine for himself whether it is a real rarity or a fake?

Authenticity Tools

It is very advisable for a beginning numismatist to have the following tools in his arsenal:

• Detailed catalog of coins with a full description of the specimens of interest to the collector and their high-quality color photographs. The catalog contains not only a description of the obverse and reverse, but also physical and chemical characteristics, such as the alloy of the coin, its weight, etc.
• Electronic balance necessary to determine the exact weight of the specimen under study and compare it with the weight indicated in the catalogue. There are known cases when coins made of gold and platinum were sawed in half and part of the precious metal was taken out from the middle. Then the cavity was filled with another metal or alloy and the two parts were connected so that it was simply impossible to notice the manipulations with the naked eye. But electronic scales always showed the difference between the catalog weight and the actual weight.
• Magnifying glass will help you study all the small details of the specimen being studied with its description and photograph in the catalog.
• Spectrometer. Such a device is extremely necessary when working with rare and expensive coins - the most counterfeited ones, by the way. It helps to determine the presence of impurities in the metal, thereby identifying the fake.

Initial assessment of coin authenticity

If you do not have the necessary tools at the time of purchase, and the coin seems very interesting from a collecting point of view, try to determine its authenticity in the following ways:

Sound

If you throw a coin on a flat, hard surface, the original copy will make a ringing, clear sound, while a counterfeit made from counterfeit metal will hit with a dull sound, unusual for coin alloys. By the way, the hydrostatic weighing method allows you to determine the composition of coins made of two-component alloys.

edge

Its edge can tell a lot about a coin, and it’s worth taking a closer look. The presence of suspicious grooves, horizontal seams, often carefully disguised, as well as a smooth, blunt edge indicate the dubious quality of the coin. Numismatists are often interested in such coin defects as “stamp rotation,” which counterfeiters readily counterfeit. And if the seller refuses to take a copy out of the capsule so that you can carefully examine the edge, it is worth considering whether this money is really genuine.

Reverse and obverse

Examine the details of the images on the reverse and obverse - fake copies often have small details missing or blurred, and there may also be small bubbles that are invisible without a magnifying glass.

Color and shine

The shine and color of the metal can also tell a lot about the money. Too bright a shine for a fairly old coin is a sign of excessive polishing. An artificial patina may be present, but only experts can determine its authenticity.

Visible damage

Chips, abrasions, and damage to the edge can tell about the composition of the metal from which the coin is made. Sometimes it is clearly visible that the coin is only coated with noble metal, and there is some inexpensive alloy inside. Of course, there are such coin defects as “metal mix-ups”, when copper coins, for example, were minted from brass by mistake, but this happened very rarely, possible defects are also recorded and described in catalogs, so always keep reference books at hand.

Bead condition

Pay attention to the condition of the collar. If it is not clearly defined, seems erased or too streamlined, this may be a sign that the coin was not minted, but simply cast.

Finalization of details

Counterfeiters also commit mechanical modifications to parts of the obverse or reverse. This is especially true for coins with many varieties, some of which are rarities. The process usually involves under-engraving, sawing off signs, soldering letters, etc.

I bet that you had no idea that there were SUCH unusual coins in the world))

Central Bank of the Russian Federation. A three-kilogram silver coin and a kilogram gold coin.

Canada has begun issuing a series of unusual coins.
They feature real dinosaur fossils processed using a special technology patented by the Canadian Mint. On the surface of the first moenta is carved the image of the skeleton of Duckbill Parasaurolophus. Each coin is individual.
Technical parameters of the coin: Canada, 2007, silver 9999, 1 ounce, proof, mintage 20,000 copies

Canadian coins with enamel.

Heroes of children's fairy tales, the Three Little Pigs and Sleeping Beauty became the themes of the Isle of Man coins

There is a new addition to the family of small gold coins with symbolic meaning. This time Palau releases the Shooting Star coin.
One dollar, gold 9999 0.5 grams, Diamond Uncirculated

This small (half gram) 9999 gold coin is sure to captivate. Its shape, in the form of a four-leaf clover, is supposed to attract good luck, just like the previously mentioned coin with a natural four-leaf clover leaf.

An amazing series of coins from Niue, dedicated to great artists. Real works of art! Silver 925, face value 1 dollar, year of issue 2007

Coin - illusion "Cat in the window", 4000 kwacha, Zambia 2001

Coin dedicated to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. A visit to the USA is quite unusual. Not only is it uniquely shaped like a map of the USA, it is also adorned with Swarovski crystals in the colors of the American flag. Cook Islands, 2008, $5, 999 silver, 25 g, edition of 5000, gold plated, Swarovski crystals in the colors of the flag USA, proof

Coins in the shape of the Australian continent

Among the new products of the coming 2010, the world's first coin with a three-dimensional hologram already stands out.
The coin is called "Tender Love" with the main design theme of three roses with a holographic coating.

The theme of the coins is the 175th anniversary of the publication of the first book of fairy tales by the great Hans Christian Andersen.
Samoa, 2010, 10 dollars, 925 silver, 25 g, diameter 38.61 mm, proof, edition of 2500 copies,

Titanium two-color coins. The British Virgin Islands have issued coins that, in addition to using a high-tech and unusual material - titanium, use its two oxides - gold and blue. The coins have different colors on the reverse and obverse.

Coins with inserts of precious and semi-precious stones

Square coins of Turkey

Oval coins "Flowers of Turkey"

100 Austrian schillings. Silver 900, inlay - titanium

Chinese fan-shaped coins. Series "Chinese calendar", Gold, Silver 999

"Miss You" Coin. Silver, enamel, Swarovski crystal

Australia, 2006, silver coin with capsule containing miniature replicas of six coins that were the means of payment before the introduction of decimalization in Australia

The first coin from a series about the outstanding sculptures of the world with an insert of a miniature sculpture made of real marble

Coin with sound! "I'm proud to be a Berliner!" - when you press the button, the coin reproduces the historical phrase of John Kennedy.

Crystal Silver Coin

Cook Islands, for the 80th anniversary of Benedict XVI, 2007, denomination 5 dollars, silver 925, 25 g, gold plated - gold 999, Swarovski crystals

Coin in memory of John Paul II in the form of a cross with black Swarovski crystals, silver, gold plated and Continuing the relay of commemoration of John Paul II, the government of Liberia has issued a very unusual coin. The coin is completely black except for the gold bas-relief of the Pope.

Transformable coin "Sundial" and coin-compass

Set of four coins. The reverses of the coins together spell out the word "Cook". The circulation is 1779 sets i.e. year in which Cook was killed by natives in Hawaii

Illusion coin. A woman hiding in autumn leaves. Palau, 2008, 5 dollars, 925 silver

Coin with inserts of elements of a real meteorite. 925 silver, palladium plated

Continuation of the series of coins with inserts of elements of real meteorites. Martian meteorite. Cook Islands, 2009, 5 dollars, 925 silver, 25 g, diameter 38.61 mm, antique plating, copper plating, edition of 2500 copies,

A unique set dedicated to the main milestones in space exploration. The set, housed in a metal “astronaut” suitcase made of aluminum, includes five coins and a capsule with a lunar meteorite particle.

The world's first coin in the shape of a pyramid with a capsule containing sand from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, discovered in the Valley of the Pharaohs by the famous English archaeologist Carter in 1922

A unique coin with a thermal image. In its original state, the coin has a uniform red color. When you heat the coin with your hands, an image of a chicken appears

Cook Islands, Egyptian pyramids. Transformer coin. The insert can be installed vertically on the coin

Sierra Leone, $75. 24 karat gold, purple niobium.

Modern coins of Hungary

Two-color niobium coin

Unique spinning top coin

Marine calendar for 50 years.

Palau, 2009, $5, 999 Silver. Braille, raised dots on the coin spell out "2009".

Coin with a butterfly design

4 triangular coins arranged like a puzzle

The Central Bank of Congo has released three coins dedicated to the biblical story of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts to the newborn Jesus. These coins are unusual in that each of them has inserts corresponding to these gifts: gold, myrrh and frankincense.

A stunningly unusual coin issued in Niue. When you press the coin, the built-in light comes on, repeating the concept of the first incandescent electric lamp invented by Edison.
Coin with a built-in light source "Edison", face value $1, minted 2005, PROOF, mintage 2500, silver.925, weight 38.61

Coin with concave relief

"Commonwealth Games", three-metal coin: gold, silver, copper.

An unusual turquoise titanium coin commemorating the world's first misprint on a Western Australian postage stamp in 1855

Canadian coins with hologram

Coins with horse designs

For the upcoming year of the Tiger according to the eastern calendar, Liberya has released a set of colored rectangular coins. 4 coins, each: 5 dollars, silver 99.9, 20 g, size 56*25 mm, proof, circulation 8000 copies,

This coin is an amazing gift to remember your vacation! She smells like the sea!

A coin with the heavenly smell of the sea!

Palau, 2010, 5 dollars, 925 silver, 25 g, diameter 38.61 mm, proof, 2500 copies

Silver coin with a gold rectangular insert.

Series "Dangerous Animals" Tuvalu, 1 dollar, 999 silver

A coin that combines beauty, history, symbolism, and Orthodoxy. Icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Cook Islands, 2009, 5 dollars, silver 999, 25 g, size 30*38 mm, proof, edition 2500 copies,

Another case of using wood in the production of a coin.

Icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. Art by Andrey Rublev. A unique coin with a removable wooden icon plate. Cook Islands, 2008, $5, 999 silver, 25 g, size 30/38 mm, edition of 2500 copies, proof

Like the original, the icon of the Holy Trinity, and its embodiment in silver, evoke admiration for its polished beauty.

Cook Islands coin, 2010, 5 dollars, silver 999, 25 g, size 30*38 mm, proof, mintage only 2500. This coin will become a rarity in many ways.

Coin with a capsule containing holy water from the source of Lourdes.

Coin with carbon insert from a real Formula 1 car - Ferrari F2008. Cook Islands, 2009, 5 dollars, 500 silver, 25 g, diameter 38.61 mm, proof,

The Cook Islands have released a set of coins that can be called the smallest in the world. Three 999 silver and gold coins weigh 0.12 grams each

Australia has released a series of coins-amulet "Fortune". "Longevity". "Success". "Wealth".

Series of coins "Mythological Chinese characters". Australia 2009, 1 Australian Dollar, 99.9 Silver, 1 oz, size 47.60 x 27.40, 4mm thick, color image, coin comes in a bright booklet.

Today I present two stunning amber coins, true works of art

Australia gave collectors a stunning gift for the New Year. Two new loose gem coins in a clear capsule now contain Kimberley diamonds. The coin was issued in silver and gold, with proof quality.

And a little humor: the largest wooden monument to the ruble was cut out and installed in Russia. He appeared on June 10, 2008 in the city of Tomsk. A wooden ruble weighing 250 kilograms and measuring more than two meters was installed on one of the squares for a traditional city event - the Tomsk Carnival. The wooden ruble is made in a realistic manner on a scale of 1:100. The festival organizers have already submitted an application to have the wooden ruble included in the Guinness Book of Records.

An elegant and meaningful coin issued by Nauru - Guardian Angel

Canadian designers decided that single-color coins were a relic of the past, and created a series of unusual colored coins with holograms. This is a step into the future.

But the designers who worked on the image of Turkish coins decided that the main thing is not the color, but the shape, so their single-color coins are cut in the shape of squares and ovals with nice embossing on both sides.

Coins made of gold and silver, made in the shape of a fan, so popular in China. They belong to the "Chinese Calendar" series, each packaged in a separate box and then in a case.

And in Belarus, fans of the work of Alexandre Dumas will be able to find something to their liking. Namely, a series of souvenir coins based on The Three Musketeers. Thus, four silver coins depict four inseparable friends, each has a zirconium of a certain color attached to his sword, and behind his back is an enamel painting depicting what was dear to each of them. Interestingly, the set is packaged in a special book-shaped case. Certificate included.

New Zealand has its own favorite books. So, everyone knows that Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy was filmed mainly in New Zealand, so the state decided to skim off all the cream that it could from this fact. Therefore, a series of souvenir coins was issued depicting the main characters of this trilogy. Both silver and gold coins were minted.

But Somali souvenir coins can hardly even be called coins. Souvenirs - that's all...

The same applies to coins made in the Congo. Both the wooden ones, issued with a slogan in defense of animals, and the silver ones, with inserts of gold, incense and myrrh, which symbolize the gifts brought to little Jesus by the three wise men.

Islands are small planets, separate worlds with their own laws and regulations, thinking and way of life. This is exactly what you think when looking at the amazingly unusual coins issued on the islands.

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