Forgers vs. Collectors: A 2,000-Year Arms Race

Fakes of ancient coins are older than the fall of Rome — some counterfeits are 2,000 years old themselves. We walk the history from silver-plated fourrées to the modern Bulgarian school, break down how cast and transfer-die fakes are caught, and give you the three-question screen that filters out almost every bad deal. Plus: what certification actually verifies, and the guarantee language that separates real dealers from marketplaces. Links: How NGC grades ancient coins Spotting fakes: a beginner's guide Where ancient coins really come from