Confusing ancient mushroom thang

[whithill]

Hello all.
Well, I dug this about 18 months ago at an old home site near Nashville. No one has ever been able to ID it. I sent a pic in to American Digger magazine and they put it in their STUMPT section, but I never heard any diagnosis until today when I opened the latest issue to see my ancient mushroom bottle opener once again. Baton Rouge historian Billy Spedale wrote in to say that the item is almost identical to one he got in trade years ago from a collector (now deceased). The collector claimed that it was a form of currency used by Aztec, Inca, Mayan, or other early American civilizations. He said the one he had had a small ink numeral on it, indicating that had at one time been part of a collection. Anyone know anything more?

 

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[Mr.T]

Hi-
You might want to look at this thread- http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/aztec-gold/229966-pictures-aztec-money.html

 

[whithill]

Thanks... yes, I just saw that thread and reposted there. I do see the resemblance but my item certainly is not the same as those. The mystery continues.

 

[CoilyGirl]

Hey Whit's its Nancy from MTMDC. Almost looks like a primitive mezzaluna to me for chopping herbs,meats,and vegetables. You find the coolest thangs.

 

[GatorBoy]

Just a wild guess here but it looks like a half a buckle to me.
I can picture that tab sliding in to a female portion on the other side of a strap or something.

 

[pkb]

ancient beer bottle opener. SOLVED LOL

 

[GatorBoy]

Yeah..thought that too

 

[Ism]

Based on the seam visible in the second picture, your piece looks like it was die cast.
While casting is ancient technology, die casting was invented in 1840's.