Two rubles of 1722: how to distinguish a fake, signs of the original, photo

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:45

Numismatics is an extremely interesting hobby that requires not only passion, but also good knowledge in the field of history and the ability to distinguish a genuine old coin from a fake by the smallest signs.

In the case of one Russian silver coin, things are even more complicated. The question is not only how to distinguish a fake from a coin of two rubles of 1722, but also how not to acquire a so-called remake. This is the name of banknotes issued much later using the original stamps. Accordingly, the value of such coins will be lower.

What the coin looks like

These coins were minted in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Of course, at that time stamps already existed that made banknotes fairly similar. However, the minting technology was not perfect, so minor differences in coins are acceptable. Knowing about these differences, it is easy to distinguish the original from the cheap one in the two-ruble coin of 1722.fakes.

The weight of the original coin is 49.9 grams, the recognized replicas have much less - 31.20 grams.

On the obverse of the coin, we can clearly see the profile of Emperor Peter I facing right. On the head of the autocrat is a laurel wreath - a symbol of power. Along the rim of the coin is an inscription with the name of the emperor, separated by an eight-pointed star.

In the center of the reverse of the coin is the emperor's monogram, consisting of four intersecting letters "P". Each of them ends with an imperial crown. The year of minting is clearly visible in the center of the monogram. On the rim of the coin there is an inscription telling about the denomination and its novelty. The letters of the inscription are turned with the base inward.

A bit of history

Historians still cannot agree on the reason why this coin was issued in 1722. It is known that they decided to issue it in addition to the gold coin of this denomination that already existed at that time. However, the issue of silver two rubles was not massive. It is still not known exactly what circulation the first coins were issued.

Some numismatists are even sure that the entire first print run of this money was trial. In total, only two coins with a denomination of two rubles minted in 1722 are known for certain. By studying them, you can figure out how to distinguish two rubles of 1722 from more modern coins.

Test Samples

The existence of the first such coin stored in the Kuntskamera was reported by the famous numismatist S. I. Chaudouar. This specimen, which has a mesh notch onedge and weighing 49.9 grams, was included in the catalog of coins and medals in 1745. However, the author of the catalog "Description of Russian Coins and Medals", published in 1843, F. F. Schubert considered this coin to be a trial sample. Since 1927 this coin has been in the collection of the Hermitage. It does not appear in the catalogs and has only ever been accessed by a very limited number of scientists.

There is a second genuine coin with a face value of 2 rubles issued in 1722. Its history can be traced back to the collection of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and is now kept at the Smithsonian Institution. It differs slightly from the first sample: the weight of the coin is 54.44 grams, and it is minted on a thicker base. Surprisingly, it has a less clear image of Emperor Peter I and the very basis of the coin is far from ideal.

This suggests that the first batch of coins was issued in a small test run. Then the issue of coins was discontinued and resumed only at the beginning of the 19th century. The circulation of new ones may have been much larger and it is they that can be seen at auctions of numismatists and in private collections. Therefore, when figuring out how to distinguish the original two rubles of 1722, one should consider the characteristics of these later issued coins.

Coins of the early 19th century

Despite the fact that the coins issued by subsequent runs are not at all so rare, their cost is quite high. In order to understand how to distinguish a fake of two rubles of 1722 from a remake, you need to know the signs of a real coin.

At one time they thoughtthat for the minting of new coins, new dies made after 1722 were also used. This was also indicated by the lower weight of the new coins: from 31 grams. Numismatists were also embarrassed by the fact that there was no mustache on the new products in the portrait of the emperor.

However, in 1991, an employee of the Hermitage, E. V. Lepekhina, who studied the history of these mysterious coins, made an interesting suggestion. Her research confirmed that the same dies were used for the manufacture of the first coins, one of which is kept in the Hermitage, and for later mintages. It's just that they were stored in the storerooms of the Mint for more than sixty years and were subjected to strong cleaning before use. Due to this rough process, some of the features of the original stamp have been erased or slightly changed. For example, on the reverse of the coin, five dots (under the four crowns and in the center of the coin), which the engravers of that time set for orientation, completely disappeared. Several letters have also been erased.

After this discovery, additional research was carried out, a large number of coins were checked and signs of identical stamps were found on each.

Where to buy coins

These coins are considered quite rare and attract the attention of collectors. Therefore, it is important to know how to distinguish a fake of two rubles of 1722.

You should not focus on different weights of coins, in those days they did not yet know how to mint absolutely identical analogues. The diameter of a genuine coin should be 49 mm, but deviations are allowed in this parameter. What is interesting is thatthere is no concept of "marriage" of such copies, each genuine coin is unique.

Experienced numismatists do not recommend purchasing such valuable and rare items in online stores. Most likely, high-quality fakes are offered there. Sometimes fake coins are made with such skill that it is difficult even for an experienced one to distinguish two rubles of 1722 from a fake.

It is much safer to entrust transactions with such a coin to an auction house that will guarantee the authenticity of the banknote.

Cost

For such rare coins, the main criterion of value is their safety. Silver is a soft metal, so there are almost no ancient coins in perfect condition. However, when such a banknote is found, its value may exceed 1 million rubles.

And the cost of a rare commemorative coin marked proof may well exceed 2 million. Although these amounts apply only to pieces in good condition, smaller amounts are offered for worn ones, it is useful to know how to distinguish a fake two rubles of 1722 from a genuine coin and not be disappointed.

Check at home

Before you carry the found coin to expert appraisers, you can conduct a first check on the authenticity of the coin at home. There are several easy ways:

• At the first visual inspection, check for wear and damage. Have a fake there will be viewedforeign metal.
• The ringing of a coin made of precious metal when hitting a stone slab will be melodic and clear.
• Silver is not magnetic, so if a coin has signs of magnetism, it is mixed with other metals and is counterfeit.
• Excessive shine or, conversely, excessive haze on the surface of the coin may indicate the presence of impurities in the alloy, such as zinc.

Professional experts know many more subtleties how to distinguish a fake of two rubles of 1722, but they are not immune from mistakes. To date, spectral analysis is considered the only sure way to find out the true age of a coin, but, due to the high cost, this examination is not available to every collector.