I have a cast iron fireback measuring aproximately 20 inches wide by 27 inches tall (at the center of the arch) with a 9 by 12 inch mirror in the center. It was apparently cast by J.L. Jackson New York.
When I bought it at a church auction thirty years ago,the mirror was cracked so I replaced it. A newspaper used for backing between the rear of the mirror and the sheet metal back bears a date of 1857. The top edge of the casting has the following series of what I assume to be Roman Neumerals filed or cast into it.
XXX XXX V III
I would like to understand what the marking means, and what the piece might be valued at.
Regards, JB