It is a stunning news: in 17th century someone made cast copies of such quality that in 20th and 21th centuries experts
of the major auction houses could not spot forgery!!!
The casts are
good enough that, unless an identical twin turns up, you wouldn't really think to question them!
Occasionally the host coin is known too, and you can see that the casts are decidedly inferior to the original, but since
FINE originals were chosen, the casts
still look quite
good!
Yes, some of the old forgers were very accomplished: it
still happens today that experienced scholars, dealers, or collectors are deceived by a
Paduan (16th cent.) or a
Becker (19th cent.)!