Norfolk Military Academy button dug Saturday

[SC Keith]

Went out Saturday with my friend Mark to a site and dug this rare Confederate school button!
The Norfolk Academy in Virginia has a long history and produced many young soldiers who served in the Civil War. This button has the "R & W Robinson" backmark and was produced from c.1834-48
according to the Tice book. The NMA buttons are some of the most desirable Confederate school buttons among collectors. Also saw that Josh (Sentinel on TNET), dug one last year!
Also found were 12 plain flat buttons and a very worn KGIII.
Keith

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Beautiful Button!

 

[civilman1]

Like Mike said "Beautiful Button",and in Great shape as well.Banner Button in my book Congrat's!!!!

 

[umrgolf]

That's a beautiful button. I was with Josh the day he dug that NMA and it was a good hour from Norfolk on a colonial site that turned up no other CW period items. The newest coin was 1809 and the other buttons were all 18th and early 19th century. His was a big surprise given the context of what we were finding. They are incredible pieces of history Banner without a doubt

 

[Wldbil]

Congrats on a great button...

 

[skunemonk-1]

Nice button congrats

 

[garthbfan169]

Sweet button SC!! WTG

 

[jamesbibb]

NIce button find right there congrats

 

[Steve in PA]

That one is a real beauty Keith!

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Great recovery

 

[Brian in MA]

Beautiful !!!!!!!!!!

Killer button for sure. Congrats !!

Brian in MA

 

[SC Keith]

That's a beautiful button. I was with Josh the day he dug that NMA and it was a good hour from Norfolk on a colonial site that turned up no other CW period items. The newest coin was 1809 and the other buttons were all 18th and early 19th century. His was a big surprise given the context of what we were finding. They are incredible pieces of history Banner without a doubt

I saw his video of his NMA button--cool video! I had thought my NMA was a Harrison button until the guys set me straight. Take care bud!
Keith

 

[Major William Brown]

Nice button. If you ever wish to sell it or trade CW items for it, let me know. I am the author of the article that positively proved this button was used by students at the Norfolk Academy and NOT Transylvania Univ. of KY (an article I also wrote). Regards, Major Wm Brown, contributing editor to NS Trader magazine.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

That's one gorgeous button, nice condition too!

Congratulations!

Dave

 

[Curious The George]

Banner here!

 

[MiniMe]

Awesome button...very nice!

 

[steelheadwill]

Awesome Hunt & Button Find
Another vote here

 

[emsee]

This is awesome. How did you get that? So sweet and nice. Looks very diplomatic. Congratulations!

 

[SC Keith]

This is awesome. How did you get that? So sweet and nice. Looks very diplomatic. Congratulations!

I put just a little aluminum jelly and water with a Qtip to clean it and rinsed with distilled water and baking soda to neutralize acid.
Use caution not to over clean, it can ruin the button!

 

[{Sentinel}]

Norfolk Military Academy is located in downtown Norfolk still to this day (I pass by it nearly everyday). It's a beautiful school founded in 1727 and was a stellar Confederate Military Academy and produced some of the best soldiers of the war including General Robert E. Lee's own personal aide-de-camp Colonel Walter H. Taylor who's in the famous photo of Lee, Lee's son and himself. They're pretty rare and I've seen them sell for between $750-$1200 in dug condition over the years. Great Find, I found mine last year and was very excited to have it in the collection.