What is this?

EagleEye · July 1, 2009 8:10AM

This is an odd piece I had in the back of my safe. Any ideas as to what it is? I included a 1855 Flying Eagle Patterns to show the size. Its 40mm X 40mm.

My own guess is that it is an embossing plate for a book, but it looks a bit too high relief for that.

In the ANA Anthology from 1991, Mrs. Clain-Stefanelli wrote a chapter on Gobrecht's drawings and trials. I found these images:

The caption reads: C. Gobrecht, Large model of a Flying Eagle. Pg. 92.

This one reads: C. Gobrecht, hub of flying eagle, reduction to half dollar size.

savoyspecial · July 1, 2009 8:21AM

seal or embossing instrument??

i first thought it might made to produce a mold from but then the image would be reversed under that theory and would not be proper in that the arrows would then be in the eagle's right claw (proper depiction has the olive branch in the bird's right, dominant claw as peace trumps war)

savoyspecial · July 1, 2009 8:27AM

also, while it is similar to the pattern Flying Eagle large cents, i dont feel it is related at all......just a feeling i have though not based on anything concrete

edit: i see now that you say it was only pictured to show size

mea culpa

EagleEye · July 1, 2009 8:35AM

My initial posting triggered my memory about the article, perhaps it is work-piece leading up to this Pattern:

J-80 Heritage, Ex Lemus Collection

MsMorrisine · July 1, 2009 9:26AM

label it... provide some reference to some docs you have or will keep for it

coinsarefun · July 1, 2009 10:02AM

I don't know but I sure like it

78750Aggie · July 1, 2009 10:21AM

There was a thread on that design about a week or two ago on this forum. I don't remember the title.

leothelyon · July 2, 2009 12:17PM

Leo

illini420 · July 2, 2009 12:51PM

Pretty cool looking, that's what I think it is

GFourDriver · July 2, 2009 12:55PM

Rick, if you don't know what that is, no way am I going to take a guess.

Cam40 · July 2, 2009 12:59PM

it looks like a test pressing or a presentation piece maybe?

WoodenJefferson · July 2, 2009 2:54PM

There is a possibility that this is part of an embossing die used for letterheads. The large rim that is surrounding the image and can be wire edge folded around the pad on the lever press.

There is one thing that confuses me, embossing normally raises the paper into an incused design, so I’m not 100% positive that this is a correct possiblity.

What ever it is, it’s neat.

Look at some antique embossing machines...maybe.