In November 2016 Ebay seller bierdabbaye from Holly Springs, North Carolina in America was selling these reproduction early Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
He has more than one copy of each plate and he is correctly selling them as reproductions. They are painted on steel sheet whereas the genuine plates are enamelled (or porcelain as Americans call it). He says he understands they were made in the 1970s from the collector he got them from.
The genuine plates are very, very rare and most are very expensive. Some people want a reproduction in their collection because there is no chance they will be able to find or afford a genuine one.
The problem is going to come later when some of these plates get into the market or crooks try to distress them and claim they are genuine. From a photo during a sale or trade it will be very difficult to tell if the plate or plates are genuine or not.
This just makes everything difficult for everyone. Reproductions are very bad for the hobby and if you care about the future of the hobby, it is better you do not buy reproductions.
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