Courtesy Eretz Israel Museum

Forgery or fake? The first-century C.E. Roman glass cup highlights the difference between the two. According to one respected definition, “A fake is a genuine article, if of somewhat mediocre character, that has been made more interesting and desirable by deceitful reworking. A forgery, as in the matter of banknotes, is an article made newly and wholly for the purpose of deception.” In hopes of fetching a higher price as an early Christian artifact, this cup was “enhanced” by the addition of two crosses (on the front and back) and two pairs of fish (left and right). Is it a forgery or a fake?