In discussion of fakes, I often hear about 19th-century museum electrotypes. But I don't know much of anything about them. Is there somewhere I can find out more? How were they made? What are the identifying characteristics? How do you tell them from authentic ancients?
In the following thread I posted an electrotype made by Robert Ready. There is a link to how they are made and other information. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/sometimes-a-copy-will-have-to-suffice.272376/
I have been tempted by a few Ready copies over the years but they are sought after and I have tended to be the underbidder. I have managed to obtain a few older (assuming 19th Century) uniface plaster casts whic I have in my collection. These were never intended to fool anyone they were probably mounted on a wall in a frame. I have two sets. One set where both sides were cast and then set in a gilt frame like this Elis stater. The others are just obverse casts that were then painted to mimic patination.
The video linked to in thread you referenced above is great. It explains the process very well. Seems like the weight of an electrotype would be significantly off.
Wow, thanks for that video. I notice they say the silver bath was with silver cyanide. That reminds me of how I did some silver plating once. Cyanide is scary to mess around with.
