Quote:
In fact, I donīt even know if itīs an authentic coin, and itīs being offered as an incredible bargain (less than US$ 250).
Maybe itīs a counterfeit, but Iīm not an expert to judge it.
So, if it was only a pretty good bargain, and not "too good to be true", you'd be inclined to think it could be genuine?
You're going to get burned like that. I know you mentioned your eyes, and you're kind of a latecomer to coins... It might be best for now to stick to more legitimate dealers and also the major numismatic auctions. I know you want to bargain hunt, but that's hard to do effectively and safely until you "know your stuff". Until then, keep learning, study what genuine material looks like... and learn your prices so at least you don't overpay.
More specifically to this piece, there are quite a few replicas and/or fakes of coins from the years of the unified Italian monarchy. The most common are probably these below (but there are others):
-- the Mussolini fantasy 20 lire
-- 1911 5 Lire
-- Eritrea 5 Lire
Some are made more as tribute replicas which were too accurately reproduced though not necessarily made to deceive (though they often do, especially just using photos on the internet)... but some are made as numismatic fakes.
Also, while possible, I would doubt this one is done in solid gold, too - just some sort of plating.