Revolutionary War The Kings America Dragoons Button

[BrianNY]

Got out today for a spur of the moment brief hunt on Long Island, NY. Went back to a place that has produced lots of things from coins, buttons, and relics ranging from the late 1700's through late 1800's. Didn't have much other than some square nails and a button. After this button was dug, I could see a nice design and some writing so I put it in my coin pocket in my jeans till I was able to take a closer look at home. I gave it a quick brush and see most of the lettering and started to do some searching on google. Come to find out what I had shoved in my little pocket was a 1781-1783 Dragoons button from the Revolutionary War, worn by a British Loyalist. Been trying to do some reading and research and came across a few articles. Never sell anything I find but wondering if anyone here might know the rarity and/or value of these. Does not seem to be too many of them found or in existence.

 

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[JeffInMass]

That is one awesome button- Congrats! I didn't see an answer to your question about value and looked around but couldn't find anything. Hopefully someone will chime in with some info- got me curious- GL!

 

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[Silvermonkey]

Well that's just a silly, great find! Congratulations!!!!

 

[Gaspipe]

I am leaning towards the Elmers Glue or Poly. Don Troiani recommended polyurethane so may test that on some not so nice buttons.

Go with Elmer’s glue method . It’s removable if you desire , preserves the pewter and won’t give it a fake shiny look. Nice save.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Killer relic recovery, congrats!

 

[Iron Patch]

...

 

[Coinstar magnet]

That's a beauty...and a nice piece of history. It's been sitting there all this time waiting to be rescued...

 

[Colonial Digger]

Killing me! Great history save !! love it!

 

[Castineman1779]

Got out today for a spur of the moment brief hunt on Long Island, NY. Went back to a place that has produced lots of things from coins, buttons, and relics ranging from the late 1700's through late 1800's. Didn't have much other than some square nails and a button. After this button was dug, I could see a nice design and some writing so I put it in my coin pocket in my jeans till I was able to take a closer look at home. I gave it a quick brush and see most of the lettering and started to do some searching on google. Come to find out what I had shoved in my little pocket was a 1781-1783 Dragoons button from the Revolutionary War, worn by a British Loyalist. Been trying to do some reading and research and came across a few articles. Never sell anything I find but wondering if anyone here might know the rarity and/or value of these. Does not seem to be too many of them found or in existence.

Brian
First congrats on truly an amazing button find. There are a number of things that make your buton rare. One from a Loyaist unit formed in New York City and garrisoned at Huntington , Long Island. Not sure u wrote found it in Long Island or not. Two it is a two piece buton of brass that is hollow with a brass loop shank. Thin reprouse construction and rare it was found mostly intact. Rare indeed that it survived. 3rd in my opinion as a collector of Rev War probably at e top of most collectors wish list with many of us wishing could own one. Value wise hard to say since really except for North South Trader price guide, yours not in that one, the only idea of value. To me as a collector it is a 4 digit number and highly collectible. Cleaning wise still fragile as I se the rim is a bit rotted . However cleaning wise my suggestion is a very light coat of Vaseline just to help stabilize the thin areas . It may look shiny but wil dry . Again great fine most of us drool over. However I have my drool cup on. Lol. Gary

 

[Castineman1779]

Brian
First congrats on truly an amazing button find. There are a number of things that make your buton rare. One from a Loyaist unit formed in New York City and garrisoned at Huntington , Long Island. Not sure u wrote found it in Long Island or not. Two it is a two piece buton of brass that is hollow with a brass loop shank. Thin reprouse construction and rare it was found mostly intact. Rare indeed that it survived. 3rd in my opinion as a collector of Rev War probably at e top of most collectors wish list with many of us wishing could own one. Value wise hard to say since really except for North South Trader price guide, yours not in that one, the only idea of value. To me as a collector it is a 4 digit number and highly collectible. Cleaning wise still fragile as I se the rim is a bit rotted . However cleaning wise my suggestion is a very light coat of Vaseline just to help stabilize the thin areas . It may look shiny but wil dry . Again great fine most of us drool over. However I have my drool cup on. Lol. Gary

By the way the buton does look good as found it u decide to leave it that way. Sometimes like coins collectors would rather have a button "as found" . Well at least this one would. If u have a delima just enjoy your find and leave thst N.Y dirt on her.

 

[Castineman1779]

By the way the buton does look good as found it u decide to leave it that way. Sometimes like coins collectors would rather have a button "as found" . Well at least this one would. If u have a delima just enjoy your find and leave thst N.Y dirt on her.

One last note I kinda made me cringe a bit mentioning put in your pocket and later ided it. U r indeed lucky it stayed intact. However it reminds me in 1999 when I found a rare 74th Regt of Foot belt tip early in my hunting years at my current site. Like u I put it on my pocket as welland continued my hunt. And like u did not damage it. It was appraised later for $5000 plus. A good lesson for all of us to treat what we find and don't know about with care since it just might be a find of a lifetime. Hell hit that spot till no targets r found. That button has a baby brother and one in pewter almost as desirerable. My suggestion if u can do a sift. Gary

 

[Castineman1779]

Brian
U know for a Revolutionary War button about as rare a find as one could find. I guess my question is why has no one nominated it for Banner ?

 

[Djreversal]

around where on long island?? about to get my first detector im out in suffolk county and have a few spots im looking to go and try to find some stuff.. Not sure how far out the rev war stuff would really have come onto the island since it seems most of the fighting happened more towards nassau and out.

 

[BrianNY]

Killing me! Great history save !! love it!

Just realized I never wrote back to say thanks for the information and comments about this find.

 

[Whatdayagot]

Great find!!!

 

[Calabash Digger]

VERY NICE!