Ornate currency produced by banks around the country became obsolete virtually overnight when the federal government started printing money in quantity in the 1860s. So did the intricate printing plates used to make it. Now, hundreds of the hand-engraved metal plates, many hidden in storage for more than 150 years, are going on the auction block.

“For historical significance, it’s hard to overstate it,”said Douglas Mudd, curator of exhibitions at the American Numismatic Association Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colo.”These are unique items. These are the plates that were used to produce notes and paper documents that built this country.”

Before they go up for auction, the plates are being examined and catalogued by a New Hampshire firm that specializes in rare currency and coins, American Numismatic Rarities.

“When they come to us, it doesn’t say `Hey, this was used in 1841 to print this.’We have to figure it out ourselves … and when we can, sometimes we have a eureka moment,”said Q. David Bowers of American Numismatic Rarities.

The 200 tons of plates are from the archives of the American Bank Note Co., formed in New York in 1858 by the consolidation of seven major engraving and printing firms.

Posted: 07|31|06 at 8:43 am. Filed under: US News.