🥇 BANNER Incredibly Rare Dragoon Militia/Special Order Regiment Button 1790-1812

[oxbowbarefoot]

Hi everyone,
I haven't posted in a while, hope you've all been well. Yesterday, I found this 20mm flat eagle button. The closest match I can find are some Diplomatic Service buttons from the early 1800's. Has anyone seen this one before? The back mark reads: Double Gilt. Any input is appreciated!



Update: Through personal correspondence with several advanced collectors, it appears I can narrow the field to two theories: one is that it is an early 1790's-1812 Dragoon Militia button. The other theory is that is a special order button from a small regiment. I was told of one more coat button sized example dug in VA and of a cuff button size one dug in SC. I was also shown a picture of a similar coat sized button. It's possible that the one I was shown is the same one as the coat button one from VA I was told about. So it appears it's not a unknown button, but it remains undescribed. Still, with only 3 or 4 examples that I've heard about and only one other example photographed, I think this is my rarest button yet.

 

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[oxbowbarefoot]

It looks like this is a yet undocumented variety of Diplomatic button, likely pre-1812. I'm waiting on a few more expert opinions, but this could be my best button find yet.... Here are some better quality pictures:

 

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[hogge]

Good 1!!!!!

 

[G.A.P.metal]

Nothing like it in Tice`s button book .
Gary

 

[Ahab8]

That's killer man and I'm curious to hear what the experts come back with. I've never seen anything quite like it.

 

[CRUSADER]

I've never seen one similar posted before & was awaiting an ID, sounds like its going to be an experts best guess - good job!

 

[collector01]

Great button. Nice when you can't find one like it. But at same time it is nice to know what it is. It's got to be a diplomatic button. They had navy diplomatic buttons so why not dragoons.

 

[pepperj]

Great save on the button, hope it'll turn out to be a new variety.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Fantastic button, congratulations!

 

[Rogue Relic Hunter]

stuff like that is what makes relic hunting great. why just read history when you can dig it! congrats. be very interesting to hear what folks determine on this one.

 

[Scrappy]

Button porn at its absolute best. Thanks for those new pics. It's exciting watching this unfold, and I cannot wait to see what happens! Who needs TV.

Great finds again bud

 

[CRUSADER]

stuff like that is what makes relic hunting great. why just read history when you can dig it! congrats. be very interesting to hear what folks determine on this one.

This is more exciting than just digging history, this is adding to it or re-writing it. That's as good as it gets for me, & it doesn't happen very often.

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Update: Through personal correspondence with several advanced collectors, it appears I can narrow the field to two theories: one is that it is an early 1790's-1812 Dragoon Militia button. The other theory is that is a special order button from a small regiment. I was told of one more coat button sized example dug in VA and of a cuff button size one dug in SC. I was also shown a picture of a similar coat sized button. It's possible that the one I was shown is the same one as the coat button one from VA I was told about. So it appears it's not a unknown button, but it remains undescribed. Still, with only 3 or 4 examples that I've heard about and only one other example photographed, I think this is my rarest button yet.

 

[CRUSADER]

Update: Through personal correspondence with several advanced collectors, it appears I can narrow the field to two theories: one is that it is an early 1790's-1812 Dragoon Militia button. The other theory is that is a special order button from a small regiment. I was told of one more coat button sized example dug in VA and of a cuff button size one dug in SC. I was also shown a picture of a similar coat sized button. It's possible that the one I was shown is the same one as the coat button one from VA I was told about. So it appears it's not a unknown button, but it remains undescribed. Still, with only 3 or 4 examples that I've heard about and only one other example photographed, I think this is my rarest button yet.

So known but in coin terms 'without attribution'. So an 'extremely rare' button - CONGRATS.
I thought the experts might be divided/best guessing it.

 

[Ahab8]

Update: Through personal correspondence with several advanced collectors, it appears I can narrow the field to two theories: one is that it is an early 1790's-1812 Dragoon Militia button. The other theory is that is a special order button from a small regiment. I was told of one more coat button sized example dug in VA and of a cuff button size one dug in SC. I was also shown a picture of a similar coat sized button. It's possible that the one I was shown is the same one as the coat button one from VA I was told about. So it appears it's not a unknown button, but it remains undescribed. Still, with only 3 or 4 examples that I've heard about and only one other example photographed, I think this is my rarest button yet.

Hang on to that one my friend. You will never dig another one! Congrats on a super rarity. I'm voting BANNER though I know you and I could care less about that. I still feel like I'm doing the right thing regardless of the end result. When Mass silvers and other rarities don't go up it makes it glaringingly obvious that my idea of a BANNER find is very different than many others. But this would be a BANNER find to me personally. So once again I cast my vote. Great job buddy

 

[Ahab8]

So known but in coin terms 'without attribution'. So an 'extremely rare' button - CONGRATS.
I thought the experts might be divided/best guessing it.

Well I'm glad this won't be one of those forever unsolved mysteries and keeps that super rare status.

 

[CRUSADER]

Hang on to that one my friend. You will never dig another one! Congrats on a super rarity. I'm voting BANNER though I know you and I could care less about that. I still feel like I'm doing the right thing regardless of the end result. When Mass silvers and other rarities don't go up it makes it glaringingly obvious that my idea of a BANNER find is very different than many others. But this would be a BANNER find to me personally. So once again I cast my vote. Great job buddy

I to just voted banner. I never do this 'blind'. Although I could have easily done it on gut, I wait for the best 'facts' to come out first. Now we probably have (although further info may come later) all we need to vote.

 

[Scrappy]

Update: Through personal correspondence with several advanced collectors, it appears I can narrow the field to two theories: one is that it is an early 1790's-1812 Dragoon Militia button. The other theory is that is a special order button from a small regiment. I was told of one more coat button sized example dug in VA and of a cuff button size one dug in SC. I was also shown a picture of a similar coat sized button. It's possible that the one I was shown is the same one as the coat button one from VA I was told about. So it appears it's not a unknown button, but it remains undescribed. Still, with only 3 or 4 examples that I've heard about and only one other example photographed, I think this is my rarest button yet.

A very rare find and I'm happy to see you found other examples and consensus from your collector contacts. 3-4 examples is incredible man.

I'm going to vote a banner on this one. I hope your button is able to squeeze itself between all the 1800's gold coins.

Congrats bud

 

[Appalachianman76]

Wow! Great find! It's in great shape, too!

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Thanks for the banner votes guys. I went back to the site today, but no luck.

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

This is more exciting than just digging history, this is adding to it or re-writing it. That's as good as it gets for me, & it doesn't happen very often.

Thanks, Cru,

It's always special when you find something that helps add to the historical/archaeological record. It makes me wonder how many undescribed items are siting in collectors cases. I'm sure you've got a few stashed away.