The introduction of finer reproductions is an obvious result of escalating prices. If there is money to be made, there will be someone out there willing to put forth the effort. A good example of this is the Knight's Cross. I am told that there are jewelers in Europe making copies that are impossible to distinguish from the originals.
Unfortunately for the hobby, these types will only get better, and much more attention will need to be paid to discover the lastest and greatest.
