Patented belt buckle?

[bruce01364]

Thought this was a belt buckle but the back has lettering around the iron circumference. Hard to see but at the top are the letters PAT. At the bottom it says APR. And at the right is 84. If this is a buckle it is a simple design and don't believe it is worthy of a patent. Found in an area located on an 1870's map. I assume it origionally had a complete dome shape and that the middle is dented. Any ideas?

 

[coloradocav]

it's a bridle rosette.

 

[bruce01364]

Thanks coloradocav. I have heard of bridle rosette's but didn't realize they were that large.