It was brutal, but it was worth it! ID alert! I need some help on this one guys

[cumberlandgray]

Hey guys! I don't post alot here, but the friend with whom I was digging today suggested I post this:
We were digging a Confederate camp that seems to be early war. My buddy managed a really sweet Va button. A couple hours later I got a sweet +74 on the MXT. Thinking it was a penny (the sound made it seem like it was about 2" down), I went to digging. There were no house sites in the area, and this was an isolated signal in the middle of some really old hardwoods. I'd dug a couple nails close by also. I got down to 4" and realized this was not the 2" Penny I thought it was gonna be. I kept on going, and at about 6" I turned over this plate. It seems to be a stamp, since everything is spelled backwards. I believe it is made of pewter...not positive, but I think so.
It measures 56mm X 45mm and is 4mm thick (about 2 1/8" X 1 3/4").
On the face is "The Constitution", and near the top it states "Buchanan" and "Breckenridge". Buchanan was our 15th President, and Breckenridge was his Vice Pres.
Any help with ID on this object will be greatly appreciated! So far no one knows what it is, or has ever seen one before!
Thanks for looking!
Tony "cumberlandgray" Hochstetler

 

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[Kieth-Tx]

Printing plate maybe?

 

[vayank54]

I'm thinking a printing plate for a newspaper or political poster. Being political it could be quite valuable. i hope some one will know more about it. I think you have a super find there.

 

[Lucas]

Yes printing plate. Looks to be in pretty good shape for a dug 1856 item.

I would say it is a IMPORTANT find.

 

[Bramblefind]

That is an amazing find! Does it match this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1856

 

[doublet2a]

I flipped it and zoomed in a little,
Hope you don't mind
Nice find in great shape

Tim

 

[diggummup]

That is an amazing find! Does it match this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1856

If it aint a match it's the next closest thing. Good research.

That's a nice find for sure.

 

[bigmac6006]

Yeap... that's the poster I was referring to in the "Today's find's" blog... Dealt with "Dred Scott", and a lack of Constitutional Rights for slaves.

 

[kyphote]

Re: It was brutal, but it was worth it! ID alert! I need some help on this one g

Yeap... that's the poster I was referring to in the "Today's find's" blog... Dealt with "Dred Scott", and a lack of Constitutional Rights for slaves.

yep, nailed it. Can anyone try to put a price tag on this? Really not much to gauge it by.

 

[OldNBroken]

Well, it's probably pretty rare if not a one-of-a-kind don't ya think? Matching it up with the actual banner doesn't hurt either.
Very Very cool find!!!!

 

[lazooro]

gr8!!!!!

 

[DCMatt]

Wow! Stunning!

DCMatt

 

[bigmac6006]

Talked to a friend today... at auction that print plate could go for around $2500. It is pretty rare. Still trying to find out how many may be out there, but it is unlikely we will ever get a number with evidence behind it. I'm guessing it is pretty close to one-of-a-kind.

 

[diggummup]

Banner!!!!

 

[cumberlandgray]

Thanks for all the super comments guys! Y'all are the best! bigmac...thanks...

...talking with your friend. I'm still looking for more info on it, but so far there is little to be found. We're looking for someone with a lot of knowledge in this area who could give us a good idea of how much it's worth.
Thanks again all!
Tony

 

[Dano Sverige]

I seem to be losing posts on this thread! Brambles was gone last night and now it's back..but missing some others now!
Anyhow..i thought someone posted an auction site here that sold a similar plate for $5k or something and they told you to get in touch with them??
Maybe contact "Worthpoint".They auction a lot of good stuff i believe,but find out as much as you can about it beforehand.As the guys have said..you're holding a big chunk of real American history there.Don't do half measured..get it appraised professionally.

 

[Lucas]

..get it appraised professionally.

Definitely, go pro. Like I said this is a important find, and (if you want to sell) belongs in a large, high-dollar auction... a Sotheby's/Christies type of a deal.

I can see this going to the Buchanan Library, Smithsonian, Library of Congress... this is the big time!

 

[CRUSADER]

funny really, it wouldn't sell for more than $5 over here, shows how you guys like your history

 

[ipsilateral]

Important, banner worthy find. I would personally never sell something like that. Simply amazing! Congratulations.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

funny really, it wouldn't sell for more than $5 over here, shows how you guys like your history

American historical items can command a high price here.