The New Hampshire Historical Society says it has purchased a rare copper printing plate used to underwrite the state's share in the Revolutionary War effort.
The plate was engraved on June 9, 1775 by Exeter metalsmith John Ward Gilman and is about the size of a legal paper pad. The Concord Monitor reports Gilman designed the New Hampshire state seal in 1776.
The state lost track of the printing plate for at least 150 years before it resurfaced in 2009.
Historical society official Wesley Balla says the piece will eventually be put on display for public viewing.
New Hampshire Historical Society President Bill Dunlap says the artifact is humble in appearance but tells a great story about colonial America.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
