Comment by card_zero
9 months ago
The 3 with a flat top is a "banker's 3", an anti-forgery measure:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3
Playing cards use this style of lettering. Not sure how far back that goes but I kind of doubt they all derive from Gorton's specific engraving machines.
And used on eg German license plates, for at least partly that reason (IIUC).
Down the rabbit hole I go….
Ah, that makes sense! Thanks for this insight!