Button (die ) Found

[RELICDUDE07]

I went out today for a little hunt and found something very cool..I can see a small date at the bottom 1773 and some inlay around the edge .I think it was for making coins or buttons its solid brass . I know you can not make out the date very well, im going to try and take some more pics.and clean it some how? What is it called so i can look for some online?... Thanks/ relicdude

 

[richp57]

Re: Button or coin press??

From what I can make out of the pictures you have, it looks like an old button. Can you send any clearer and closer pictures. It would help in identification. Nice find, where was it located.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Button or coin press??

I dont think its a button//Its about a 1/2 pound..and has what looks like a coin pressed in it.. found in my lucky pile

 

[Derek752]

Re: Button or coin press??

Hey RELICDUDE GREAT recovery !!

Is a bit blurry though but the back appears as if it mounted into a setting

Good find !!

D.

 

[tymcmurray]

Re: Button or coin press??

Looks like a button to me.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Button or coin press??

Maybe this will help show its size better spanish1 reale...I think it may have went on some type of press and smashed into metal to make coins or buttons?

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Button or coin press??

What would be my best and safe way to clean this, it could be rare....sorry for finding all the strange stuff but its what i find seal matrix / plumb-bobs/ now this

 

[incajoe]

Re: Button or coin press??

I believe the terminology you are looking for is a coin or button "die". I think this is what the stamper to make a coin or button is called. I can't help you identification though, sorry.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Button or coin press??

Thanks ,i think you are right, im going to search and see if i can find any like it...it was something like this i think but much older

 

[wwwtimmcp]

Re: Button or coin press??

might be like an old notary public seal. or a parchment seal for proving enlistment, pretty neat for sure.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Button or coin press??

I need to try and clean it some ..to see it better . It could be ,i have been finding alot of solid buttons where i found this ,and some date rev. war/ british reg. i hope i can clean it some and get more detail to show . It looks like it may be one of the dies they used to make the buttons from what i can see .. I hope

 

[mlw67]

Re: Button or coin press??

Interesting item.

You should try posting it in the "what the heck is it" forum.

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Re: Button or coin press??

Nice find. I think what you have found is a wax seal. They were used for sealing letters and official seals, etc. I have attached a few pictures I googled.

Very nice.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Button or coin press??

I have found wax seals before ---- this is different ,its not raised like a wax seal . I think its a punch die ,made to hit with a hammer.. If i lay the small spanish coin there in it , then the coin is flush with the brass around it...

 

[Slabman]

Re: Button or coin press??

Nice find! The possibilities are great!! It could be a counterfitters
die, or it could be a real die!! Use some play dough or silly putty
in it and see what the impression makes. I can't wait to see it!!

HH Slabman

 

[watercolor]

Re: Button or coin die ??

A die for casting pewter buttons?

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Button or coin die ??

Im trying to clean it today some. It looks to me like some type of die for coins..I know money was very hard to come by in colonial times in this area . It maybe a counterfit coin maker, it was found in the same place as some of the 1770s buttons .. PEROXIDE cleaning is going good------ It has a 60 with a crown above it, in the middle of the die ..For makeing buttons ..I have found some 60th reg.. buttons just like it at the spot something like this, with a small crown above it

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Button or coin die ??

If anyone finds any online, or has some pics? ..Please Let me know Thanks/relicdude

 

[Don in SJ]

Re: Button or coin die ??

The best immediate suggestion was made, take some silly putty and let's see the impression. I did that for my Rev War Dragoon button and it worked great for seeing detail.

Don

 

[Skrimpy]

Re: Button or coin die ??

Looks like there is a pattern in there to me. I would try to find a pro to clean that sucker to see what it is. Sure seems to be some sort of die to me. My guess is for buttons. Coin dies are really hard to come by unless they are a counterfeiters