Some Kind of Name Plate

[jgo]

I found this 1" square item in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, and I have no idea what it could be. The metal looks like lead, but it seems too firm to be lead. It is not magnetic

The following is stamped on the piece:

Philips
DAL
16 09

The name doesn't fit with the location. Is the 16 09 a date?

Anyone have an idea about this object? What is this thing?

 

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[steelheadwill]

Interesting piece,
I've dug a lot of silver that didn't look silver,
its weight might be a clue.
maybe try buffing a little on an edge.

 

[jgo]

Thank you for the reply.

I will try buffing on the backside of the plate. Maybe it is pewter?

It is an odd item. It has a uniform shape and beveled edge on the facing side, and it appears to have a brushed surface.
The lettering reminds me of something for which each character individually stamped with a separate tool. The lettering has dots punched in before and after each word, and there are the same dots punched for the numbers located before the 16, between 16 and 09, and then after the 09. I'd love for 1609 to be a date; I've never found anything that old.

The only thing I can think of is that it might be a coffin name plate.

 

[trikikiwi]

try taking a pic of it with a dark background - try a blue cloth - if possible, in natural light.
And try the macro setting - the flower symbol - on your camera.
You should be able to show us more detail that way.

Also, a pic of the back might be useful.

Cheers, Mike

 

[taz42o]

It looks like a carbon brush for an electric motor. can you write on white paper with it .?

 

[jgo]

It looks like a carbon brush for an electric motor. can you write on white paper with it .?

Just tried that - will not write on paper, but the attempt did take off some of the dried-on dirt on the edges.