1827 Russian Ruble - Authentic Or Not?

Thanks for the information.

The basic meaning of "novodel" is restrike by the mint however it's the sellers that attempt to use the word for the wrong purpose which sends out the wrong message.

I'm not a scholar concerning fakes/counterfeits/copies. The most glaring fakes are not that hard for me to spot. Coins of 16th or 17th century that are selling at auction for $20 or less and all have the same dull look with wear that is obviously included to fool a potential buyer, I can spot. But, lately, I'm noticing a lot of old Russian coins that are called NOVODEL coins. I've researched NOVODELs so I know what they are supposed to be, I've also read your posts about Sellers using the term nefariously to try and "fool" buyers. My question is, Should someone like myself simply avoid auction listings of NOVODEL coins? It sounds like a slippery slope for the uninformed. PS- What do the letters N-O-V-O-D-E-L stand for? Thanks, Jack

Thanks Susuman. I appreciate the info. So, then, if the term NOVODEL is actually a Russian word, then are you saying that coins from other countries are not referred to as NOVODELs? Is it a term appropriate only for Russian Mint re-strikes, or is it used throughout the hobby? Jack

In short, a novodel is a restrike. However it may not necessarily be a faithful restrike as there maybe some modifications such as different edging. As always, buy the book before buying anything else.I highly recommend Uzdenikov.

If you think such genuine restrikes are cheap, you will be terribly mistaken. Other than the Soviet ruble novodel and the 1902 37.5ruble - 100 franc novodel, these coins were essential struck for collectors who were willing to pay extra. This practice was put to a halt in early 1800s as it was deemed to be harmful to collectors by a n enthusiastic collector. (Just cannot remember his name atm). Essentially many of such novodel belong to high end collectors who had money to spare. These will not come cheap.

In short, if you don't know what you are buying, seek advice and be prepared to buy decent catalog.

The term "novodel" when used correctly has a far different meaning than counterfeit or forgery. A true novodel was made in the mint and was sanctioned as a collector coin. They were technically not restrikes since the novodels were usually struck from newly prepared dies not the original dies. I have seen the term used in connection with the US 1804 Silver Dollar because it fits numismatically. The 1804 dollar was made at a later date with newly prepared dies and was sanctioned for sale.

Like the 1804 Dollar the typical Novodel was a limited issue. They are usually rare and are accepted for grading by TPGs.

Now the problem occurs when the term is used incorrectly. On a daily basis auctions are posted on ebay which use the word novodel in place of Numismatic Forgery. A Numismatic Forgery is a coin made to deceive coin collectors - it is a fraud.

Every once in a VERY great while a novodel appears on ebay that is a true novodel - these are normally TPG encapsulated. Quite frankly I would NEVER buy a novodel without a TPG guarantee.

As is the way with language, a word may have a definition while also having one or more connotations.

Drawing upon my understanding of the term's use and my interpretation of Richard Doty's excellent Encyclopedic Dictionary of Numismatics and Uzdenikov's discussion of novodels in Russian Coins 1700-1917, I offer the following:

By definition a novodel is a Russian coin that fits any of three categories:

1) a coin struck from new dies to produce an imitation of a coin that did previously exist, but is no longer readily available

2) a coin struck from new dies to produce coins which did not previously exist (such coins also fit the definition of fantasy coin, but in the context of certain Russian issues the term novodel is often used by custom)

3) a coin struck at a later date from the the same dies used to strike the original coins (such coins also fit the definition of restrike, but in the context of certain Russian issues the term novodel is often used by custom)

One connotation of the term refers to one or a group of non-Russian coins which similarly fit the descriptions listed above. Certain U.S. Mint products of the 1800's are a good example.

Yet another connotation I have encountered is for only those coins fitting the description in clause 1 above. The separate terms fantasy and restrike are then applied to coins fitting those other descriptions.

In all of this, context is key.

With that said, I agree with other posters that use of the term to describe modern forgeries is not acceptable.