Thanks for visiting the site, there's more needed info there on the Chinese Soviet coins than anywhere (open the Links, registration there will not bring spam, etc). Yes, it looks like white metal but the real giveaway is the “fabric” of the piece. It's way too perfect in general and the characters are too sharp and clear. The Soviets struck most of this stuff on portable equipment in difficult circumstances. The link posted looks like the other one that was linked, all clear and obvious fakes (not contemporary counterfeits) and have only novelty appeal. One Pound is a great price, you can learn a lot about spotting “fabric” characteristics of authentic pieces. Even VF examples of this piece now sell for a few hundred US dollars. I've collected those since the early ‘80’s, there are never bargains for authentic coins. The restrikes (1960's CCCP official) from the copper series are collectable, with with low prospects of future profit. Some are dark toned and even intentionally beat up to pass as originals, so you have to learn the fabric. They sell for $75 - $125 while the 1930's pieces get x2 - x4 of that price, so you need to be careful. There are fakes of the entire Soviet series, some very difficult to distinguish. The Yuan now sell for between $9k - $30k.
