Posted 03/17/2017 06:10 am
I concur with Moxking and suspect it dates back to perhaps the 1970's. Tourism was rapidly rising back then as increasing numbers of folks could afford cars and travel. Sets of "historic" replica coins were then sold at tourist sites. Despite the disdain of serious collectors, these replica pieces likely brought many new collectors into the hobby by sparking their curiosity. These crudely cast pieces look aged when new, adding to their mystique.
