There is not much difference between a fake and a real coin. Most times, the coins that are most rare are counterfeit forged to show off in the collection or to sell it at high prices. There are many tests that knowledgeable collectors apply to the coin to weed out the fakes. Generally, it is easier for a knowledgeable numismatist to pick out the fakes because they are experts. However, some of the tests that can be used to figure out authentic byzantine coins and more are as follows:
• Visual inspection – picking out possible mistakes in forgery
• Measuring sizes and weight (to compare with others in the collection)
• The coins response to the magnet
• Using a microscope to figure the authenticity of the coin
• Material analysis
• Metallurgy
• Casting lime on the rim
• Wrong letters or style of art for the empire
• Wrong wear pattern
There are more ways to cast out the fakes among the reals.