The first documented forged gold coins date to 670 BC; debasement has been done routinely over the course of history. The most common method of forging coins is by casting; the details are not crisp on a cast coin when compared to one that has been struck. When a forgery is cast from an originally cast coin, the fake is more likely not to be recognized. The procedure of casting from cock alloy with a wash of precious metal is also described.