Cool colonial button revealed after electrolysis

[Bill D. (VA)]

I found this button on Friday when hunting with Joey at the c1680 site where we both dug Charles II coppers. When it was first recovered it appeared to made of lead with a metal shank poking out which seemed a bit odd. Later at home I realized it was a regular metal button after picking on the extremely hard, gritty encrustation with a jewelers screwdriver and exposing a tiny bit of the rim. But I couldn't do any more to it and pretty much gave up. But I got a nice tip from Crusader to try electrolysis on it, and that turned out to be the ticket (thanks Cru!!). I was able to secure a clamp on the exposed bare metal on the drilled eye shank, and it didn't take but a couple of hours for the crud to start flaking off nicely. Soon after it was done, a cool geometric design was revealed. This was a large convex button (25mm) that also had an interesting copper-like patina. It was quite heavy as well which was probably one of the reasons I originally thought it was lead. The pics below show the front and back in 3 stages - after the initial picking, about 2/3s through the electrolysis, and the final result. This button is similar in size and style to one I dug at this site the week before, but incorporates a different design. No coins this time, but I'm happy with my button.

 

[joeyfresh]

Looks great Bill. You missed your calling as a professional curator!

 

[romeo-1]

Nice recovery!

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

cool design and it cleaned up nicely!

 

[Greylock]

Wow. That looks great now. I've been doing the cider vinegar thing but might have to look into doing some electrolysis.

 

[worldtalker]

Bill,

You have that down to a science,good reveal man!

God Bless


Chris

 

[johnnyblaze]

Nice one Bill

That worked out well..


Blaze

 

[CoilyGirl]

Looks great!

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

That button turned out fantastic Bill. If you don't mind me asking what size transformer did you use? I have used a small Cell phone charger on a large silver coin recovered from a wreck once and it turned out great but I also used it on a small silver spoon from a "White Star Lines" ship and it completely remved the flag that was engraved on the spoon handle. I think I may have hooked it up backwards once when I took it out to check on it and now I am very nervious of using it on small delicate items.
Dave

 

[DINGER]

Nice clean up beautiful.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

That button turned out fantastic Bill. If you don't mind me asking what size transformer did you use? I have used a small Cell phone charger on a large silver coin recovered from a wreck once and it turned out great but I also used it on a small silver spoon from a "White Star Lines" ship and it completely remved the flag that was engraved on the spoon handle. I think I may have hooked it up backwards once when I took it out to check on it and now I am very nervious of using it on small delicate items.
Dave

Dave - I normally use a small amperage cell phone charger on small coins, but due to the nature of the encrustation I cleaned the button with my large iron electrolysis setup. That's probably why it didn't take long to complete the process. And yes, you need to be very careful how you hook up your leads as I ruined a nice colonial silver coin once by having them switched. It put a black tarnish on the coin that wouldn't come off even when I had it hooked up the right way. I put labels on both cords to make sure it never happened again.

 

[matt092079]

Good tip from Cru and luckily it did the trick. Very cool button man.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Very nice indeed.

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

Bill - Nice job - Looks good.