I think at least part of that is a status game. Conspicuous expense is important and sought after, because by making that expense you show an un-fakeable signa

I think at least part of that is a status game. Conspicuous expense is important and sought after, because by making that expense you show an un-fakeable signal that you are important and can afford the expense. People place the same value in identical replicas because they don't carry that signal. I suspect that most of the "oh, it has the real weight of history behind it" sentiment is post-hoc rationalization for the status game.