American lead 5 Cent Seal in Germany ?

[rayredditch]

My mate was out with me hunting the other night, and found this. We´re in the South of Germany, and unfortunately he doesn´t write or read English, hence my posting !
Anyone an idea on what it was used for.
HH Ray

 

[PBK]

It appears to be a lead impression of the reverse of a U.S. Shield nickel, c. 1867-83.

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[Bavaria Mike]

Hi Ray, that impression is awesome and very large. PBK IDed it perfectly but, why is it so big and a reverse image? Tell Bernd a big congrats from me. I detected a drained lake all weekend, nothing special found but a few silver pieces and a hand full of Euros and Deutsch Marks. HH, Mike

 

[tymcmurray]

Cool piece.
Nice find in any country.

 

[PBK]

...why is it so big and a reverse image?

Not sure, but perhaps it's actually a "cut" or engraving designed to print a large image of a nickel. That would explain why it's both raised and reversed.

Another possibility (less likely, I think) is that it's somehow related to novelties like this 3" pot-metal Shield nickel.

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[Kas]

Yep, can't be an impression with raised facade. Interesting.

 

[Bavaria Mike]

What does the other side look like? HH, Mike

 

[BigNuggets]

Prost

 

[rayredditch]

It´s just plain !