Why is there a hole in the middle of my antique plate?

Question

I have a commemorative plate of the 1937 coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England, and it looks as if there has been a hole drilled in the middle. It is marked with the Parrott and Company mark on the back, and it says Coronet Ware above the mark. I am just curious why there would be a 1/4-in hole in the middle of the plate.

Also, does anyone have any idea if it is a piece of junk, or what?

And, no, I will not take it to some bloodsucking antiques dealer who will either charge me to tell me its a piece of junk or flat out not answer me.

Answer 1

Perhaps someone mounted it on their wall.  (It didn't come with a hole in it.)

If it were in perfect condition, it would be worth a couple hundred bucks.  With a hole in it, not much.

Answer 2

I agree with the posters who said it is probably part of a tier set.

Answer 3

I would guess that it was originally a part of a set of several plates used in tiers.  It's possible that it's not worth much because the rest of the set is missing. Best guess.

Answer 4

It doesn't necessarily have to be tiered. I've seen serving plates like this which have only a bottom layer, but with a spindle handle. If it's a commemorative plate, it would make sense to be a single layer, so the markings could be clearly seen..

Answer 5

I have a plate like that. There is a metal stem that can be screwed in. It to be used for serving. So you can hold the plate or turn it. Many are used as cookie plates.

You may be able to buy the stem. There is a flat bolt that holds it on from the bottom. Ask someone at the china section of a better department store to show one to you.

Answer 6

It sounds like it might be part of a 2 or 3 part tiered piece usually used for serving cookies or cakes etc.  There would be a center spindle with some sort of handle on top.

Answer 7

A hole has most certainly ruined any value it might have had. Maybe someone tried to turn it into a clock. I'd go ahead and stick a clockworks in there and then sell it on Ebay.

.