Novodel: What are they exactly?

Novodel, often a term used in Russian numismatics is used to describe "restrikes". In recent days, sellers would use such terms to identify their coins, probably to confuse the buyers. What might be a counterfeit coin can be mistakenly identified as "novodel" and be sold as such!

Defination 

There is a subtle difference between a novodel and a restrike. A restrike is actually a subset of the term novodel. The critical point betwen a novodel and a restrike is that a restrike is often a strict reproduction using the same dies and methods to try to replicate the exact same coin design that was minted in the past. Whereas, a novodel does not necessarily have to be done so and actually allows some "modifications". 

An excellent example would be the Siberian kopeks. In the past, the original Siberian kopeks were crudely struck with bad edging. However with the novodels, well defined planchets and with a completely different edging was created. To call it a restrike is not appropriate, as the edging, quality of strike, and planchet quality differs vastly.

One can possibly compare it to the well known 1804 set of the King of Siam set restruck in the 1830s. While it is correct to call it a restrike, the term novodel cannot be used as it is a strict and faith reproduction of such coins in circulation.  

Why? To whom? When? What for?

So why was this done? Like us collectors, there were collectors in the past that desired such "high" quality coins. Often, it was difficult to find high quality coins in circulation, if not, the technology to mint such coins were not good enough to satisify high end collectors.

It might be in the early 1800s or the mid 1800s that Russian coin collectors demanded such novodels to be struck, and very possibly paid a high amount to the mints, most likely St. Petersburg for such samples. Restrikes of the novodel Peter I rubles to the kopeks were performed till the late 1800s, as not only could collectors get them in unrealistic grades, for example PROOF 1700s Russian coins, which is not possible during those days, to novodels of extremely rare trial coins. 

Perhaps, some novodels were created because such coins did not exist in that particular time. In general, any coins that were not struck in that particular coin, but struck in the following year with the previous year die could be considered as a novodel under this defination. However, novodels were produced to satisify the higher end of collectors at that time. And such, novodels are more likely to be in nicer grades, more particularly proof grades. Don't forget that the King of Siam set was minted for that purposes too!

What does this mean to me?

As a collector, one must make sure to know the big difference between a novodel and an original as well as a counterfeit! A novodel IS NOT a counterfeit, or a copy but strictly speaking, a production from the official mint. As for all collectors, this is very criticial as this definately affects the value of the coins that you might have.

How can I tell that what I have a novodel or a genuine coin?

One generally can't! Vast amount of research is required and for this, you should get a copy of Uzedenikov V.V., Russian coins 1700-1917 especially if your interest is about Imperial Russian coins. This is a mandatory resource for any Russian coin collectors, from beginner to expert. Although there are some coins that have easy to tell signs, there are others that do not necessary fit with this pattern. As with the earlier example of Siberian coins given, that can be used as a rough guideline. As well as, be realistic! Most novodels were only made for collectors, so they are not necessary easy to find!

Value of such novodels?

As mentioned earlier, if you are to consider novodels as "restrikes", one would normally think that such novodels are generally cheaper. In fact, this is not necessary the case, and in some cases be VERY expensive and actually very collectable! Because such novodels were made for collectors, these are very high graded coins, never meant for circulation and kept in private collections. In fact, novodels might be one of the keys to collect high quality Russian coins, as it is too likely that the best original samples are kept in the Russian museums, only to be locked away and not for public display.

Hopefully this guide helped you to clear up the difference between a novodel, restrike and genuine coins.