Off Topic Mystery Item. Warning - Large Photos.

[Darren]

I found this in Manhattan, Kansas sometime in the late 60's or early 70's. My neighbor had dirt brought in to fill in the erosion in their backyard. They got unprocessed dirt clods so as kids we ran around kicking the dirt and crushing the clumps down. I tripped over a huge mound and noticed something sticking out. That's how I found this and I've held onto it since then. Please help me know what it is.

The printing on it is pretty smashed but it looks like it says "Established in 1***", in reverse. In my opinion the date is 187*, just can't tell what the last digit is. On the right it almost looks like a laced up shoe or boot at the bottom. The center shows a mans face. I think it's some kind of printing press because of the reverse lettering and texture used on the face. Would this have been some kind of manufacturer label or tax stamp? I've been told it's made of pewter, it is non magnetic. That's pretty much everything I know about it. Just thought maybe someone on the forum might be able to shed some light on this. Thanks for looking. Darren

[Alan Wood]

At one point banks printed there own money. I thought that it ended earlier than that but that sure sounds like a bank not printing plate. Or forgery thereof.

[Arne]

since the printed is mirror image, I'm guessing some type of printing plate.

[Mightydog]

Some banks printed demand notes of their own after common bills were accepted. Is it some kind of metal? Lead or copper?

[Nitetimes]

Might want to search for printing press forums. My guess is it's a printing plate for some sort of advertisement. The picture just doesn't seem right for a bank, but that doesn't mean it's not.

[xrover]

How about make a pencil rubbing from it, old school. That may give a better look at it.

[Laredo]

alternatively, make an imprint of it in a vessel of packed sand and see if the image without the reversal helps you identify it.

You can do this by cutting an empty milk jug in half and packing it with moistened sand. Lay your object face-down in the smoothed surface, tap it lightly (once!) with a rubber mallet, let dry overnight. Lift the object out carefully and you should have a stamping of the image, sans risk to your plate.

[Darren]

Thanks for the thoughts, it's given me a new path to explore. I also contacted the Kansas State University History department. If I find anything out I'll post the info.