🥇 BANNER First Ever Washington Inaugural Button

smokeythecat

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Nov 22, 2012
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I went everywhere and dug everywhere over the weekend. First couple spots produced a wad of colonial items. I still have to get pics of those.

The last spot of the day yesterday was an unknown in the woods. Besides getting a tick, the area is rich in history along a major river. I had fond a place to access the river (it was kinda creepy back there), and dug the usual garbage and some nice 18th and 19th century buttons. I did not find any musket balls but believe I found an old homestead.

I had not intended on staying long due to the trash. I had used my Cibola. It hadn't been out playing much lately. I got a huge dig me I'm trash signal and out popped this large dandy button with a shank. I never remember to bring a camera with me, basically I don't want to ruin a $400 camera, so no in situ pics, basically I never get around to that and flip the thing over and see something on it, but it's caked in wet mud.

It gets thrown in the pouch and this morning I dig it and the other stuff out. And fall over when the mud starts coming off!

It's a George Washington Inaugural button, and if I wanted to dig one, this is the one I would have preferred to dig!

It's the "GW with linked states". Used for the 1789 inauguration, it is/was about the last thing on my bucket list! All the detail and the shank are there. The soil is very, very mild there.

Yowsers! I'll have to clean up the other stuff later tonight, one button has an anchor and eagle on it.

Wish I could call in mentally ill and go back today, but have to calm down and go to work. I'll try some renaissance wax on it to see if the detail can me made more visible, but it's all there!

View attachment IMG_1001.jpg IMG_1002.JPG

Can you spell "excited"?

Here it is cleaned a little more with some wax. View attachment IMG_1003.jpg I need to take better pics when I'm no so hyped!
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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Nov 22, 2012
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Thank you all. I'm still sitting here staring at it! Still. The rest of the stuff for the most part is sitting next to me unsorted and cleaned! Come on November when the foliage dies and I can get back in there.
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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Nov 22, 2012
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I was wondering where the rest of the stuff went! It was still hiding in the dig pouch. This is a horse leather ornament in the early "nipple" style found near the other stuff. IMG_1009.jpg I really haven't cleaned it yet.
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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Nov 22, 2012
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Here's a few more of the buttons and other items. I thought at first the blue and white ceramic was spongewear, but as the coloration is on both sides, I now am thinking the item may be broken Delft.

The button on the top righ View attachment IMG_1038.jpg t is 17th century.
 

Davers

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Bump for an Awesome Find.
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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Nov 22, 2012
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Ow! That bump hurt. But thanks and I'm really happy about it. I have been looking for Indian artifacts the last few weeks. The detectors are taking a happy nap.
 

huntsman53

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Jun 11, 2013
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Call in dead? How about retired since I'm well over 62 now. Lots of copperheads down there. And far off the road. Not a good place to get into trouble. I was actually way out of my element going there. It is a public place but not a park, so ok to dig but it's wild, overgrown territory.

And that is a buffalo nickel and an arrowhead or drill.

Get a pair of Snake Chaps or make a pair of lightweight and cooler Chaps out of screen wire (not nylon or other mesh wire but actual screen wire) and next time, take a friend with you and an item or two for protection.
 

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A2coins

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Dec 20, 2015
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holy smokes sweet find youve earned it
 

Calabash Digger

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WOW! I seemed to have missed this.
 

cheffer

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That is one of the most beautiful buttons I've ever seen, what a great historic find. You must be psyched, congratulations on the banner!
 

ANTIQUARIAN

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Apr 24, 2010
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Man what a beautiful button to find in such amazing condition too! :occasion14:
Congratulations on receiving your fifth BANNER in eight years!

I use a Museum Conservators paste on my coins and button recoveries as well, makes for an 'even' looking finish. :thumbsup:

Dave
 

Davers

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Congratz
On finally making 'Banner' I was wondering. LOL

Again 'Beautiful Button'.
 

vferrari

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I was really getting concerned about Smokey's banner drought. The Cat was stuck on 4 since like February... lol.
 

sandchip

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Oct 29, 2010
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Don't know how I missed this, but congratulations on banner! Well deserved. I nearly pooped my britches when I saw the detail!
 

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