✅ SOLVED Can anyone date these buttons?

Ceredox · Mar 2, 2016

Hey guys,

I was wondering if any of you button fanatics could shine some light on what period these are? I just found the copper (looking) one in a farm field that dates back until at least the 1700s. I know its not quite that old but what do you think? It says "Plated" on it and there is a wreath on the inside. Unfortunately the loop broke as soon as i touched it.

The other one is pretty large and is made out of Pewter or lead. Its very soft and easy to bend. I've seen these types before. Unfortunately, i don't remember where i found it. It was a few years back.

jewelerguy · Mar 2, 2016

the one in your hand is a hem weight.

ScubaDetector · Mar 2, 2016

Yes the lead one is for the hem of a dress or even drapes. They are found all over and in many different sizes.

TheCannonballGuy · Mar 3, 2016

A brass 1-piece flatbutton whose backmark is written in "raised" lettering, without any indented lettering, dates from about 1790 through the 1830s. If a flatbutton's backmark has indeneted lettering or a mix of raised and indented, it dates from about 1810 through the 1830s.

On flatbuttons, the word "plated" in the backmark always meant silver plating. We see some silver plating still showing on the front of your button. Gold plating was called gilt.