Edge splits can tell lots about if a denarius is fake or not.
If the blank was struck cool or cold, splits are more likely.
When the edge of the blank fails in tension, as a result of spreading under the hammer, metal distress occurs.
The inside surfaces of the split are very rough, where the metal was forced apart.
With a cast coin, the splits are copied from the original, and are much smoother on the inside surfaces of the split, and the split is usually much shallower.
With cast fakes, the is quite often the telltale signs of an edge join, or a filed off casting sprue.
Have a look for tiny spots of peeled off plating. These more often occur around the edge.