Question on Italian KM #70

ozzie101

Went to a local coin show and a dealer had a couple of what appeared to be the 1928R 20 Lire (KM #70) coins for sale at really cheap prices.....Didn't buy any because the price didn't seem right......I didn't want to have an argument with the dealer if the coins were fakes or not......

Checking the catalogue when I got home, it says:

"similar 20 and 100 Lire pieces struck in gold, silver, and silvered brass are modern fantasies"

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the real silver coins and the fakes? Is there any way to tell them apart such as by weight (I'd have to bring a scale with me to the next show...) or other characteristic?

spoon

I haven't seen enough of these (or any in person!) to know the difference.

If he has more than one I'd be skeptical. The legit ones aren't that common. What condition are they?

Here's a restrike proof. Notice the completely different obverse, and the reverse mintmark is a P instead of R. Though I'm sure there is more than one type of restrike.

spoon

I was digging through my bookmarks (I knew I had a good Italian reference site!) and found this helpful clue:



The horizontal leg of the letter L in the signature, G. ROMAGNOLI, on obverse behind the King's head should be half raised/normal and half incuse on the original. The fakes don't have this, but exceptions are likely.

spoon

I should add that there are a few good pics of legit ones and a fake one at that link, too.

ozzie101

Thanks for the replies.

I'll have to print them and take them with me when I go to the next show and if the dealer is there, have another look at the coins. I'll bring my scale to weight the things as well.

The coins were in a book of mixed foreign material (Other coins were also large silver coins) and they appeared to be what they grade here as aUNC: they had a few bag marks and a just little wear on them.

Dealers here are sometimes kind of 'funny' when it comes to pricing. One dealer I bought from priced everything at the lowest price in the book for the coin regardless of condition. It was either the 'good' or 'fine' price. So I got a good deal on what I bought.

For these coins the price was A$85 each which would be the pricing for one in 'fine' at the current exchange rates.

So IF they are the real thing (???), it looks like they are 'a good deal' - (Always have to watch out for those!!!)

spoon

Yep, if they're real and that condition it's a great deal... but do take a good look at them! Review the dealer's other coins to get an idea of how he works and in addition to the scale bring a magnifier if you can. Good luck!