This pattern is illustrated by Mullinax (1991) as Plate 280 on page 153 and given a rarity value of 10. This is about 3 ½ by 2 3/16 inches, made of die-struck rolled brass with lead-solder filled back that secured iron wire loops. Mullinax notes these were made by Gaylord, using the same die that company used to make their Mississippi belt plates, shown as Plate 279, and given the slightly less rare value of 8+. The motif of both is an eagle in relief with raised wings, clutching arrows and olive branch with open beak and the head facing to the viewer’s left. This is on a finely lined ground bordered by an oval of thin and thick lines, that is in turn situated within blank band and second thin and thick border, the latter formed by the rim of the plate.

This one was excavated in Frederick County, VA, in April 2023 and comes with a letter of provenance from the finder, also testifying that it was recovered on private property with the owner’s permission, about ten inches below the surface. (We note that Mullinax’s example, in the Dubose collection, was found in a CS 1862-63 winter camp at Fredericksburg.)

The plate is light brown and gray in color and preserves excellent detail. The front is flat, with reverse bowed out slightly but with only minor losses to the edge of the lead fill. The iron wire is, naturally gone, but the rust stains of the loops are evident. We see two hairline cracks moving upward from the tops of the eagle’s wings. On the left this ends with a small nick to the edge, but the plate is stable. When excavated the rim had loss to the rim at upper right and various nicks and dings clockwise to the lower right. This was professionally restored by an expert, is undetectable, and the whole rim now appears near perfect, but the slight notch at upper left has been left. In addition to the letter of provenance, this comes with a letter from the restorer and photos showing the plate before conservation.

This is a very attractive, well executed, rare plate and exceptionally well documented.  [sr] [ph:L]

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