Tombac "pimple" Button

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

ZDD & me on the relic trail yesterday.

To the point on the second stop of the day I found this tombac button (17mm). I found a couple nipple buttons before, but not of tombac. It's also different from any other tombac I found in that the back side is not lathe turned, it is rough cast still.

My research indicates these are called pimple buttons, and date to mid 17th C. Arguements, welcome.
So it's a first for me, and quite happy with that, as Dave did find of the day a quite decent copper coin.

The copper I got which is totally roached, is also a little different, what's left is 30mm, which is bigger than most half pennies, (head scratch) but we'll never know on that one.

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[CRUSADER]

They are quite a few of these types of buttons recorded on the UKFD, they are not classed as Tombac buttons, but rather a white metal, possibly lead/tin alloy. Tombac is a different mix of alloy's, but the 17th C date is correct.

SS

Good point, I nearly said the same. I think it feels heavy because some are iron filled.

 

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[Silver Searcher]

Good point, I nearly said the same. I think it feels heavy because some are iron filled.

They are Tombac type, but not with the type of back of the one posted, usually you have a casting swirl were the shank was on a Tombac, this one looks to have a wire shank, possibly iron.

SS

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Don't want to divert this thread but what age would you think the button I just found is from? I've never found one with such a crude shank

I found a couple like yours on a site where I also got 3 coins (in good shape not worn down/ circulated long) from the 1720's at...if that helps.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

They are Tombac type, but not with the type of back of the one posted, usually you have a casting swirl were the shank was on a Tombac, this one looks to have a wire shank, possibly iron.

SS

Yes there was a wire shank, it went right through to the front. Which is why there is a bit of rust on the front.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Very good chance if one was there it would be older because it's much more likely a coin would hang around much longer than a button. Only a very small % of people on here get to hunt 17th century sites, or ever have hunted one.... and I am not one of those people. I'd say 1720-30 is likely the oldest.

Good point, with less trading back then, a coin could have circulated many years perhaps 50+ before being worn out. As 1900's silver coins can last 30 years, and still be in G4. I got a pocket spill once with a 36 year spread, the newest 1956 was like new, and the 1920 was still readable, but well worn.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Yes there was a wire shank, it went right through to the front. Which is why there is a bit of rust on the front.

That would make it the white metal nipple button which was usually a mix of Tin and lead, which is what through you with the weight, not Tombac, but a 17thC button none the less, and I guess the date of the find is the most interesting part of the button anyway.

SS

 

[Ahab8]

I found a couple like yours on a site where I also got 3 coins (in good shape not worn down/ circulated long) from the 1720's at...if that helps. <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1069000"/> <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1068998"/>

Thanks bud. Now that's a handful of finds right there

 

[CoilyGirl]

What a dream to hunt a p,ace that old,congrats on your finds.

 

[MaineRelic]

I have yet to dig one of those nipple Tombacs . It is always nice to know you are hitting early rerlics ! I hope there is a coin in the mix for you on that site ! MaineRelic

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

I have yet to dig one of those nipple Tombacs . It is always nice to know you are hitting early rerlics ! I hope there is a coin in the mix for you on that site ! MaineRelic

I hope so too. I want a 1600's silver bad. Have come close so far with 6 silvers from 1710 to 1726. It seems a real tough barrier to break through, but Dave did it last year so...I can't wait to get back out. Freeze up is coming.

 

[MaineRelic]

I hope so too. I want a 1600's silver bad. Have come close so far with 6 silvers from 1710 to 1726. It seems a real tough barrier to break through, but Dave did it last year so...I can't wait to get back out. Freeze up is coming.

I got a late 1600's half reale cob this spring on the beach . Besides that I only have the 1652 Oak Tree three Pence from 2012 . Thats it ! Two 1600's silvers in seven years . They do not come easy on this side of the pond ! MaineRelic

 

[ironhorse]

I hope so too. I want a 1600's silver bad. Have come close so far with 6 silvers from 1710 to 1726. It seems a real tough barrier to break through, but Dave did it last year so...I can't wait to get back out. Freeze up is coming.

Bite your tongue!
We'll have no talk of this thing you speak of, are you trying to put an end to our fall season
there be no jinxing, if I can help it lol

 

[Iron Patch]

I hope so too. I want a 1600's silver bad. Have come close so far with 6 silvers from 1710 to 1726. It seems a real tough barrier to break through, but Dave did it last year so...I can't wait to get back out. Freeze up is coming.

So does 3 pre 1700 beat those 6?

 

[RelicMedic]

Now that gets the motor running! 17th century buttons in our soil is awesome. Well done!!

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

So does 3 pre 1700 beat those 6?

I guess it would depend somewhat, as a couple of those I really like too.
Sometimes wanting, and waiting for something is "almost" better than the owning. Like a kid waiting for christmas morning, then after he has ripped open his presents, it's all over, and kind of anticlimatic...if that makes any sense.

And yes I know you got at least one 1500's coin, but I won't even hope for that...yet.

Sorry IH, I did bite my tongue. Coming in Jan.

 

[Iron Patch]

I guess it would depend somewhat, as a couple of those I really like too.
Sometimes wanting, and waiting for something is "almost" better than the owning. Like a kid waiting for christmas morning, then after he has ripped open his presents, it's all over, and kind of anticlimatic...if that makes any sense.

And yes I know you got at least one 1500's coin, but I won't even hope for that...yet.

Sorry IH, I did bite my tongue. Coming in Jan.

2 1500s French and a 1699 cob. Truth is I stopped thinking about the age of the finds many years ago because even a Roman or medieval silver coin dug here would not mean anything close to me compared to some of the local things on my want list. That said, if you can find the site the button came from it's a rush in itself just hunting a place and digging targets that old, but generally age does not matter to me....as long as it's older than 1923.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

2 1500s French and a 1699 cob. Truth is I stopped thinking about the age of the finds many years ago because even a Roman or medieval silver coin dug here would not mean anything close to me compared to some of the local things on my want list. That said, if you can find the site the button came from it's a rush in itself just hunting a place and digging targets that old, but generally age does not matter to me....as long as it's older than 1923.

In reality I don't care either as finds go. I've said before quite happy with Victorian silver, it's just I want one 1600's as it's on the top ten list, and I'd like to cross that off, this year would be nice to do it.

I hope there is a site there, and not just a random drop, and if we do zone in on it, yeah it will be a rush, as we haven't found any new sites (good ones) this year at all. One can hope. Besides you can only strike out so many times, before you get the home run...eh ?

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Let the fun begin.
ZDD

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Never saw one of those. I wouldn't have known what it was.
Nice saves congrats!

 

[GioTheGreek]

Great find, Rick! Thanks for the information. I have never seen one of those either.