Question: real or fake? Reichel Ruble 0

[Ratzie33]

Something about the hair looks off. On the reverse there is no cross above the stick in the eagle’s right talon. The talon grip looks off, but the detail is phenomenal. However I guess my question is can there be die variations in engraved coins? These coins were reportedly celebratory medals for Emperor Nicholas 1st. He rejected them making them as currency making them exceptionally rare today. Is this a proof Reichel Ruble? Or just a copy. Thanks in advance. I’ll post the original first, then the coin in question.

[Ratzie33]

Reverse

[Ratzie33]

I guess my other question is why make a fake with more detail than the original? If it’s fake is it worth anything? It is real silver.

[Ratzie33]

It’s definitely not the same coin, but could it be the first variation. There are so many differences and I know the engraver was trying to please the king, the king rejected the medal as a form of currency; so I’m asking if it’s possible that it’s an early variation or a proof of the Reichel Ruble. Again, why put more detail into the copy?

[Ratzie33]

I found another example, I guess they are all very different looking

[Ratzie33]

Edited March 7, 2020 by Ratzie33

[Just Bob]

It is a fake.

[Ratzie33]

Great, thank you for letting me know. I can avoid this one.

[kbbpll]

8 hours ago, Ratzie33 said:

It is real silver.

How do you know that?

[RWB]

Look here for a genuine, non-novodel, example:

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_947236