For those out there without the talent to do this (like me), I found a fellow in England that can reproduce your original serial number plate. When I enquired about an Evinrude 3HP plate he said it would be about $70, less if I needed more than one. It looks from the website that he does beautiful/amazing work, and can take even your most beat up plate, and reproduce it accurately.
http://www.vintagebrassplates.co.uk/