🥇 BANNER GW Button!!!!

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Decided to take another shot at finding an 1862 dot in the park woods. What is interesting about this dot is that it disappears on the 1872 map and the aerials in the 1900’s show nothing but woods. I had tried a couple of times with my old detector with nothing but an occasional shotgun shell head stamp.



Today I wandered in the same area and got 2 quick cuff flat buttons and a partial big tombac button. These were really small 11-12 signals with the Nox.

A couple big rifle casings and head stamps, then a really nice deep 21-21 signal. This is often a 2 piece button or a zincoln.

Thought cool, big dandy button. I have only dug a few of them in my area. Did the Hoover Boys “please be a GW...” chant and popped some dirt off.

Ok, can’t be.... time to send some shaky pics to Steve...


I don’t have a toothbrush on me and it’s starting to dry out so I pack it in dirt and hike back to my car.

Quick call to Steve to game plan next step. Should I... use mineral oil to keep from drying out, just toothbrush, use Renn wax, etc. Decided to pluck it out o the clod, toothbrush the dirt away and while I was still a little winded nose grease it up before it dries out too much... stressful moments.


There is a lot of gilt on the back and in the engraved front areas. Seems to have stabilized here. Thoughts on lemon juice to clean up gilt or next step??

Wow, still shaking. Good luck out there!

Cleaned up pics

 

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[EccentricInTexas]

I'd keep searching that site hopefully there is another hiding there!!! That thing is in AMAZING condition!!!

 

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[Steve in PA]

The Banner hasn't changed in a while although there have been some worthy candidates, including this fantastic button.

Those already on the banner are getting some great hang time

Alright the will of the people has been served!! Congrats Thad!

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

I'd keep searching that site hopefully there is another hiding there!!! That thing is in AMAZING condition!!!

Well... maybe, I was able to put in a couple more lunch hours there and found a plethora of incredible late 1700’s - early 1800’s stuff. New post coming soon. Thx!

 

[Bodkin]

WOW!!! Now that's a great button!!! Awesome find!!! Congratulations!!!

 

[gwdigger]

God I love this button. Glad to see it atop the page.

 

[RVRoamer73]

Congrats on the Banner. Very deserving.

 

[Yak1366]

Awesome find, Congrats!!!

 

[Boonieguy]

Incredible!

 

[HighVDI]

AWESOME! Congrats Thad!

 

[Davers]

Decided to take another shot at finding an 1862 dot in the park woods. What is interesting about this dot is that it disappears on the 1872 map and the aerials in the 1900’s show nothing but woods. I had tried a couple of times with my old detector with nothing but an occasional shotgun shell head stamp.
View attachment 1711213
View attachment 1711214

Today I wandered in the same area and got 2 quick cuff flat buttons and a partial big tombac button. These were really small 11-12 signals with the Nox.
View attachment 1711211
A couple big rifle casings and head stamps, then a really nice deep 21-21 signal. This is often a 2 piece button or a zincoln.
View attachment 1711212
Thought cool, big dandy button. I have only dug a few of them in my area. Did the Hoover Boys “please be a GW...” chant and popped some dirt off.
View attachment 1711216
Ok, can’t be.... time to send some shaky pics to Steve...
View attachment 1711217
View attachment 1711218
I don’t have a toothbrush on me and it’s starting to dry out so I pack it in dirt and hike back to my car.
View attachment 1711219
Quick call to Steve to game plan next step. Should I... use mineral oil to keep from drying out, just toothbrush, use Renn wax, etc. Decided to pluck it out o the clod, toothbrush the dirt away and while I was still a little winded nose grease it up before it dries out too much... stressful moments.
View attachment 1711220
View attachment 1711221
There is a lot of gilt on the back and in the engraved front areas. Seems to have stabilized here. Thoughts on lemon juice to clean up gilt or next step??

Wow, still shaking. Good luck out there!

Cleaned up pics
View attachment 1711705
View attachment 1711706
View attachment 1711707
View attachment 1711708

What a beautiful button , I knew that site had some history.
Congratz

 

[bobinsd]

On the Skinner auction one just like yours sold for $4700.
Nice find.
For cleaning, would an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner work?

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

On the Skinner auction one just like yours sold for $4700.
Nice find.
For cleaning, would an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner work?

Do you have a link to the auction you referenced? I have it in a proper secured case now. Happy with how it came out in the last pics I uploaded. I think ultrasonic cleaning works with silver coins, would not try it on this one. Thx

 

[bobinsd]

Do you have a link to the auction you referenced? I have it in a proper secured case now. Happy with how it came out in the last pics I uploaded. I think ultrasonic cleaning works with silver coins, would not try it on this one. Thx

Bob
https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2482/lots/47

 

[trdking]

Congrats on the up top. Well deserved

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

What a beautiful looking GW button Thad, kudos to you on doing your research of the area!
I just love this look when a Dandy comes out of the soil with an even verdigris.

But as we all know, it doesn't stay that way once the air hits it.

Congrats on achieving BANNER #2 my friend,
Dave

 

[Iron Buzz]

The Holy Grail! WOW!!

Don't you DARE put that in lemon juice. Its perfect just the way it is. Ask yourself, "WWAMCD" (What would a museum curator do?). For that matter... you might want to ask a museum curator.

 

[Donnie B from VA]

Beautiful GW. I would leave it just the way it is. The hardest part is to stop when it's pleasing to the eye.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

What a beautiful looking GW button Thad, kudos to you on doing your research of the area!
I just love this look when a Dandy comes out of the soil with an even verdigris.

But as we all know, it doesn't stay that way once the air hits it.

Congrats on achieving BANNER #2 my friend,
Dave

Thx Antiquitarian! Yeah, here are the 2 GWI’s from last week at the button site. Both came out of the ground a dark green, they were about 20’ apart, luckily the first one had hardened verdigris and a lot of gilt left, the second one’s green came off on my fingers picking it out of the hole flipping the dirt off. I would say the verdigris was very soft. Same 50/50 with the other buttons at this site, some had a solid green patina, some wiped off.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Thx Antiquitarian! Yeah, here are the 2 GWI’s from last week at the button site. Both came out of the ground a dark green, they were about 20’ apart, luckily the first one had hardened verdigris and a lot of gilt left, the second one’s green came off on my fingers picking it out of the hole flipping the dirt off. I would say the verdigris was very soft. Same 50/50 with the other buttons at this site, some had a solid green patina, some wiped off.

View attachment 1713650

What a beautiful looking display those two GW's make Thad!
Makes me think that if two buttons were lost, and they look to be of the same pattern, that maybe a coat was lost or accidentally left there.
Of course, I'm sure you've already thought of this... where there's two, there's likely more to be found.

As you mentioned, verdigris is primarily dependent on the soil conditions in a given area.

"Verdigris occurs as a result of brass and copper's exposure or lack there of, to air though water, heat and acidic compounds can also induce corrosion. Oxidation adds a verdigris color to copper or copper carbonates like brass or bronze. This is especially true when contact occurs with anything acidic in nature such as soil. When iron rusts, or oxidizes, it produces that characteristic red outer layer. This layer of oxidation doesn't securely stick to the surface of the iron. It flakes off, weakening the metal and leaving it vulnerable to further rusting and structural decay. Copper oxidation, on the other hand, prevents further oxygen exposure and corrosion by solidly adhering to the metal's surface."

Best of luck on your return to this site,
Dave

 

[treblehunter]

Beautiful!