🥇 BANNER Yes GW yes!

[gforce1972]

Had a few hours to go back to the historic York church I've been hunting for a year or so. When I first pulled this out I thought it was just an ordinary dandy button, but quickly realized it was the holy grail of buttons! What we have here is a 1789 George Washington inaugural button! Within four feet I found a second one, but it has quite a bit of crust build up. The pattern on the second button appears to be different. Both have been cleaned only with a toothpick. Any button experts have an id in the second button or advice on further cleaning? There is gilt showing through on the second one. All found with a White's DFX. Also found were several wheats and the Indian found by my wife with the Deus.

Gary

 

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[Cal_Cobra]

I'll never find one of those in California, congrats on finding an awesome piece of early American history!!

hh,
Brian

 

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[BARKER]

Hi; I believe the first GWI is a GWI 12 Button. The second one NEEDS cleaning before it can be ACCURATELY ID'd. Although I do see a Center Circular Pattern and what appears to be a fouled rope design at the 7:00 position. But again it needs to be cleaned more. DO NOT USE CLR, PERIOD ok. Try using the Lemon Juice. Mix it 50% Juice & 50% water. Tooth pick it GENTLY and be sure to RINSE it under clean water after EVERY picking ok. It will take a little time but the results are worth it ok. PEACE:RONB
CONGRATS.!!!
Please repost the pictures of the secomnd one ok. Thanks.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Killer button find, congratulations!

 

[trapperart]

Glad to see your button up top very nice

 

[jimbonito58]

only a dream find for most .. here is my vote Banner .. congrats what a find

 

[gforce1972]

I would lemon juice that sucker in a heart beat. It's just acidic enough to cut through the crud but not destroy the surface. Just gently brush it and rinse it to neutralize

How long would you soak it?

 

[gforce1972]

Congratulations on an awesome button and making it up on the Banner!

Do you have a way to get a precise measurement of the GW in mm, digital calipers would be best?

I'll hit it with the caliper when I get home.

 

[gforce1972]

Many thanks to everyone for their advice and banner votes. Will keep you posted on progress with the second button.

 

[NHBandit]

Very cool GW button. As for the second one all I can say is that you have WAY more patience than I would. It's like waiting until New Years to open your Christmas presents. IP has been doing this stuff a LONG time. Go with his advice on cleaning and just go slow and you will be fine.

 

[jrm55]

Awesome job! Congrats on making the Banner!

 

[rreahard]

Holy Cow!! That's un-freakin-believable!!!

 

[gforce1972]

I'll hit it with the caliper when I get home.

I'm getting 34.1 mm

 

[gforce1972]

Also, both buttons are the same exact size.

 

[AU Seeker]

I'm getting 34.1 mm

Well your's has 63 edge border indentees, which definitely makes it a GWI 12C, but there's not a GWI 12C that measures the same as your's on the best referrence website which has already been posted in this topic..... George Washington Inaugural Buttons ? GWI 12The Heraldic Eagle With Six Point Estoile and Square Punch Border ....the closest measures in at 34.30mm and another at 34.68mm but neither looks exactly like your's, they both have a thin line just inside the indentees, which I don't see on your's, all of the GWI 12C button on that website that don't have that line inside the indentees measures in at 35mm, you may have a button that hasn't been seen before, you may want to contact them at the website for their opinion.

 

[fongu]

Excellent find.

 

[Evolution]

Congrats on the Gee Dub.... and on making the banner. I found one last year but mine was a little beat up. Yours looks great.

 

[sutphin]

THAT THAT, JUST MAKES ME WANTA GO OUT AND FIND ONE OF THEM JEWELS. I WISH . NICE PRIZE.

 

[gforce1972]

Update on button #2. This button is in rough shape. Slowly cleaning w lemon juice has made front worse but improved the back. I can now clearly see a backmark that is W&B or W&S in an oval.

 

[gforce1972]

There are actually two marks in the back. The other might be WH or HM?

 

[relic lover]

I think this is your button or a very similar version