piece is of sterling or Britannia standard silver. This is not a common way of forging an item as there is always the tendency for blemishes to occur. However on the other side of the coin the casting would also produce the dents and dings of age, which could trick the unwary, but there would be little of the patina of use on the piece and there may be small flaws in the pattern of any decorated piece.
The most recent case of forgery was in the case of R. v Ashley-Russell at the Snaresbrook Crown Court. Ashley-Russell created a series of forged antique silver spoons and forks and the dies used for this were of high quality. The investigation of this case called on resources of the Metropolitan Police, The Goldsmiths' Company, the London Assay Office and the Antique Plate Committee On this occasion Ashley-Russell was given a custodial sentence but in the 17th century the sentence for such an offence would probably have been capital punishment.
