✅ SOLVED A Copper Whatzit??

[Pointman]

Found this copper piece on my last hunt and told my buddy that I found a huge penny. It weighs 2.4 ounces and it is approximately 2 inches in diameter and 3/26 inches thick. It has machining marks from where it was turned in a lathe to create. There looks like a few fine threads on the edges and with the slot, it appears that it may be a removable cap to something. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

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[Breezie]

It looks like the plug that would go in the bottom of a vintage chalkware bank. What does the edge look like; is it threaded?

Interesting find
Breezie

 

[Pointman]

Yes, threaded. It has about 2 1/2 complete threads around the OD. I bet your right, because the slot would facilitate a quarter well. Looks like it would go to a fairly big bank considering the size.

I am curious on what others think.

 

[Breezie]

If it didn't fit in a bank, it was a 'plug' for something, and more than likely a coin was used in the slot to open/close. I've seen some older drain holes that had solid copper covers. One that comes to mind was in the floor of my high school locker room . . .of course that's been a few moons ago.

Breezie

 

[lab rat]

I've seen these in floors of older public buildings, restaurants, theaters, etc. It is threaded to screw into a fitting to be level with the floor. The slot is there to screw it in or out. Typically they cover electric sockets. Should be brass, not copper.

 

[Breezie]

You can use the sniff test to determine whether it is copper or brass. Brass has a very distinct odor. Rubber your thumb and forefinger on it, then smell of your fingers. If it has an odor, it is brass. To know the smell, rub a brass key; generally older house keys are brass.


Breezie

 

[Pointman]

You can use the sniff test to determine whether it is copper or brass. Brass has a very distinct odor. Rubber your thumb and forefinger on it, then smell of your fingers. If it has an odor, it is brass. To know the smell, rub a brass key; generally older house keys are brass.


Breezie

I never knew this. I went and smelled the disk and it is brass. I have handled shell casings all my life being in the military and artillery and I am used to knowing the smell of brass, but I didn't know that there was a distinction in smell between brass and copper. This will certainly help me because I pick up all the brass and copper that I find for scrap and I cannot tell the difference in each in some cases. This will give me more money at the scrap yard.

BTW, I can see light wear marks on the disc around the top immediately in the center on the back side where the slot is and this may help narrow down what it is. I am more in belief that it is a cover of some sort like what was posted. I can see it being a cover, rather then a drain because it doesn't have drain holes. I am still open to more suggestions of what it could be. I was kind of happy that it could be a piggy bank cover and then I would go back and try to find the contents.

 

[Breezie]

I never knew this. I went and smelled the disk and it is brass. I have handled shell casings all my life being in the military and artillery and I am used to knowing the smell of brass, but I didn't know that there was a distinction in smell between brass and copper. This will certainly help me because I pick up all the brass and copper that I find for scrap and I cannot tell the difference in each in some cases. This will give me more money at the scrap yard.

BTW, I can see light wear marks on the disc around the top immediately in the center on the back side where the slot is and this may help narrow down what it is. I am more in belief that it is a cover of some sort like what was posted. I can see it being a cover, rather then a drain because it doesn't have drain holes. I am still open to more suggestions of what it could be. I was kind of happy that it could be a piggy bank cover and then I would go back and try to find the contents.

Both LabRat and I were saying it could be a vintage drain COVER, not an actual drain. As I said above, it is probably some type of plug/cover. I'm leaning more toward a large bank plug/hole cover because most of the drain hole covers have 2 screw holes for attachments.


Breezie

 

[nhbenz]

I'm thinking the threads (described as fine) would lend themselves better to a drain clean out plug (what I think was meant above). Knowing the pitch of the threads might narrow it down though.

 

[lab rat]

Here's a website with some modern ones. Yours is older-- definitely a floor box cover for an electrical outlet:

Floor Box Cover - Electrical Boxes - Electrical - Grainger Industrial Supply

 

[Breezie]

Here's a website with some modern ones. Yours is older-- definitely a floor box cover for an electrical outlet:

Floor Box Cover - Electrical Boxes - Electrical - Grainger Industrial Supply

Here's one with the single slit in the top, but it's flat. PointMan, how much of a dome is yours? Can you post a profile pic?

Leviton Replacement Caps for Single Receptacle Floor Box Switch Plates - Kyle Switch Plates

 

[Pointman]

It is pretty flat.

 

[Breezie]

It is pretty flat.

When I first saw your plate/plug, it looked slightly domed, which is why I thought it might be a vintage bank plug, but then thinking it could be flat, I suggested the floor plate. After seeing the profile and its flatness, I feel sure it is a floor plug plate as labrat said.


Breezie

 

[Pointman]

Thanks for all the help. Disappointing that it wasn't more exciting or old. I will have to make up for this and post something really confusing, old and neat one day!

 

[Breezie]

Thanks for all the help. Disappointing that it wasn't more exciting or old. I will have to make up for this and post something really confusing, old and neat one day!

BUT, just think how much fun the 'thrill of the chase' was!
Breezie