Etching

ETCHING

This technique uses original coins in order to fake them to more rare coins (rare years, image details and some original stamping mistakes that make coin to be rare).

* Examples of year etching of Nikolay II Rouble coin to 1895 (more rare, Bit.38) you can see in the next pictures:

* Etching example of 1913 Nikolay II Rouble (Bit.67, R1) from 1912 (Bit.66):

  Nonexistent 1913 Rouble coin (Etching of 1913 rouble from 1912)

Original coin Rouble 1913 (Bit.67, R1)

In this example a 1912 rouble was etched to nonexistent 1913 coin. By the comparison of number 3 of the year 1913 you can see that it is not the same as original coin. On the counterfeit coin number 3 with sharp corners while on the original with rounded.

* Etching example of 1915 Nikolay II Rouble (Bit.70, R) from 1912 (Bit.66):

 

Nonexistent convex 1915 Rouble coin (Etching of 1915 rouble from 1912)

The last rouble of the Romanov era was struck in 1915 in an improbably low quantity. You can see on the picture this original coin:

 Original coin Rouble 1915 (Bit.70, R)

The history of this coin is as mysterious as the history of the Gangut rouble. The production of a rouble coin at that period was by no economic or financial means feasible. It was the second year of WWI, and the gold and silver coins had almost gone out of circulation. However, two artillery units, in celebration of their centenary, ordered the rouble from the Mint for distribution among their enlisted personnel. The pieces were never claimed by the customer and were handed over by the Mint to the Treasury. Later on, the majority of the roubles dated that year were sent by the Soviet government to the pressed for cash Far Eastern Republic recognized on the 14^th of May 1920. The roubles were absorbed by the local population, and gradually found their way to far-eastern collections. These are the authentic pieces as opposed to the novodels ordered by the Soviet Philatelic Agency from the Mint in 1927 for trading them both inside the country and abroad. The novodels are indistinguishable from the authentic coins. These coins have a flat mint in contrast to the convex cointage coins of 1912.

You can see on the picture the rouble 1912 original coin:

Original coin Rouble 1912 (Bit.66)

Hence in this example a convex 1912 rouble was etched to nonexistent convex 1915 coin.

* Etching example of Pattern coin 1897 (** on the edge) of  Nikolay II Rouble (Bit.206 or Bit.207, R3) from 1897 (Bit.203) you can see on the pictures:

* The other examples of possible edge etching are:

1896 of  Nikolay II Rouble (Bit.40, R2) from 1896 (Bit.39)
1897 of  Nikolay II Rouble (Bit.42, R2) from 1897 (Bit.41)
1898 of  Nikolay II Rouble (Bit.45, R2) from 1898 (Bit.44)


* Heavily worn or damaged original coins were finalized to make them to be in better condition by improving erased images and inscriptions, smoothing nicks, closing up the punched holes. This "restoration" is usually somewhat improving general view of coin, but irrevocably transforming it into a real fake.

Equipment needed to prevent of etching coins purchase:

Magnifier

Microscope