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August 21, 1998 at 18:09:35
In Reply to: Help ID Button
posted by jim on August 21, 1998 at 16:28:28
Jim:
Sounds like it could be a Civil War era Eagle-I button.
Eagle buttons with the letter I on the shield were first ordered in 1821. They were used by all infantry troops through 1854 and by the officers up to around 1900. There are MANY variations, but your backmark would generally lend itself to the period of the Civil War.
The button was originally gold plated. Clean carefully with sudsy ammonia cut 50% with water. Don't soak for more than a couple of hours. Don't over-clean.
I'm betting it is a type GI 88B in Albert's button book... In very good shape (most of the gold intact) it is worth roughly $20 - 30. Good find! I'm willing to bet you're about to get hooked on C.W. relics...
-Chris
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