Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 12/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello i have an italian coin
in front is written VITTORIO EMANVELE III RE D'ITALIA around a man face
back a warrior and a woman in ancient roman clothes on the side the dates 1861-1911 and L 5 under small r
the coin is kind of heavy.  what do you think is the value?

thanks

Sabrina

ANSWER: Hi Sabrina,
This is a rare coin, of which there are many counterfeits and only a few genuine examples to be found on the market. If you have a digital scale or access to one, weighing it will tell you the difference. A genuine coin should be right around 25.0 grams. If it has some wear then it will be a couple tenths of a gram lighter. If it is under 24 grams then you most certainly will have a counterfeit.
Actually, if your coin has signs of wear that will be a good thing. Counterfeits are nearly always made in mint condition.
Value on a genuine coins starts at $600-$800 for a well used coins and runs up to over $4,000 for one in mint condition.
I can also determine authenticity by looking at a clear picture, which you can attach to a follow-up question.
Thanks for the question! =)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt response.  I do not have a scale so I scanned front and back of the coin.  Please let me know if you prefer a digital picture

thanks

sabrina

Answer
Sabrina,
I was honestly expecting that this was a typical counterfeit, but based on the photographs it looks pretty good for a genuine coin. The surface and features show none of the signs of counterfeiting, which is done by a different process than the real coins.
It does have significant signs of wear, and a good auction estimate would be in the $750 to $1,000 range. A retail value in a high end shop may be as high as $1,500.
I've also pasted this answer into the other follow-up.
Thanks again for the questions, please don't forget to rate my answers. =)