One of the earliest forms of forgery was coin counterfeit. Coins have been counterfeited ever since 670 BC, when they were minted by King Gyges of Lydia. Copies were produced by making castings from molds of original coins. Also, some of the original dies were found and used to strike unauthorized issues.

When was forgery first used?

The law of forgery may have originated with an early Roman law (c. 80 B.C.) that prohibited falsification of documents describing the passing on of land to heirs.

What is forgery in history?

Share Give Feedback External Websites. By Gerald Bonner | See All Contributors | View Edit History. forgery, in art, a work of literature, painting, sculpture, or objet d'art that purports to be the work of someone other than its true maker.