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 Replies: 8 / Views: 3,687 |
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
Edited by DJB1968
12/24/2009 01:49 am
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Moderator
 Australia
16831 Posts |
Sweet. I thought I had a coin from there, but I just checked my database, and I don't. I'm off to add it to my wantlist right now!  Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day & thankyou,
another example of coins helping us to learn history & geography.
Peter in Oz
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Fascinating blend of East and West. They used an older minting process too. Were these hammered--or was a press used?  The parallel grooves on the flan are interesting. |
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Valued Member
 United States
106 Posts |
Thanks. I find these coins very interesting for the multi-ethnic images on the coin as 'DVCollector' mentioned. What's even more interesting, is that they combined a religious symbol (the crescent moon) with a communist symbol (sickle, shovel and cotton sprig). Most communists discourage or even outlaw the practice of religion, so I found it curious that they combined the two symbols. To answer what 'DVCollector' asked, about the minting method, I'm not absolutely certain, but I think these were hammered. The uneven detailing would suggest this. Also, the abrasions, are adjustment marks which are common on these type coins. The 500 Ruble is of acceptional quality (IMO), most of the detail is very sharp and clear which is very rare for these type coins. You also have to be careful as there are numerous fakes of this showing up on ebay. Here's an example of a fake that I bought (unknowingly) at a coin show about 15 years ago. It's a 20 Ruble coin with a muled pattern. The obverse is of the 20 Ruble coin, where as the reverse is of the 100 Ruble coin. The detail is very sharp and crisp and looks to be machine struck rather than hammered. ~Daniel  KHWAREZM SOVIET PEOPLES REPUBLIC~20 Ruble 1339 AH/1921 AD <<FAKE>>Edited by DJB1968
12/24/2009 4:41 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1840 Posts |
The parallel lines on the 25 and 500 Ruble are a common feature that I see on Afghan coins of the same time period. I've always assumed they were the result of overused and overcleaned dies. What are your thoughts? Also, do you feel that they detract from the overall grade of the coin?
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
Hi 'snowman'. I'm not positive, but I think the adjustment marks were for one of two reasons. Some coins had might have had rough edges after being struck, so they needed to file down the edges to make them smoother. Another possible reason is to adjust the weight and size of a coin to conform with the value. If a coin was too heavy, it would be higher than what the value requires, so they shave off some of the metal to reduce the weight. Again this is just a guess. Anyone is free to correct me if I'm wrong on any of these points. As far as the grade of the coin, I don't think this affects the grade since it was caused during the minting process (same as weak or double striking) and not from circulation. However coins with minimal or no abrasions would probably command a premium because they would be rarer. I hope this helped.
~Daniel
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
I would think they adjust the weight before striking the coin. And those parallel grooves don't seem to accomplish much of "shaving off". My guess (and it is just a guess) that it is a part of the technological process of making the planchets. Quote:
This territory was initially called the 'Khanate of Khiva' which was independent from 1917 until 1920, when it was captured by the communists. Khwarezm was once a powerful empire in Central Asia from the 11th to the 13th centuries, and the name 'Khwarezm' was temporarily restored during the Soviet order. Kwarezm (one of the numerous transliterations) was the part of Persian Empire for many centuries before Khiva. One of the famous people born there was Al-Kwarizmi, the founder of modern Algebra. From his name the word "algorithm" was derived. Modern Uzbekistan still has cities of Khiva and Khorezm. Along with Samarkand, Bukhara and Kokand they make a beautiful "constellation" of historical and architectural monuments. I feel very fortunate to have grown up in that country. |
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
Very interesting. Thanks for the additional info 'svslav'. I've seen pictures of some of the cities in Uzbekistan. The Islamic architecture was quite beautiful. Sadly, many of the monuments and landmarks were ravaged by earthquakes in recent years. Hopefully, someday they will find a means to restore these structures to their former glory. As for the adjustment marks, what you say does make sense as for what caused them. I've seen this on much older coins, but rarely on modern issues such as these.
~Daniel
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Replies: 8 / Views: 3,687 |
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Posted 12/24/2009 07:05 am
