Extremely rare Albermale Military Institute button possibly? Cannonball guy?

[Gregg3131]

I dug what I thought was a VA button however another member suggested this could be an AMI button? Which from what it seems is extremely rare. Button is rough but I would love any input!! Thanks

 

[smokeythecat]

I have one of those. The legend should on the top "Cadet" and on the bottom "AMI". Another possibility is the Nansemond Militiary Institute or Norfolk Male Academy. Nansemond is the older term. It has "NMI" on the top, and surrounding the bottom going up both sides "sic temper tyrannis". Which one do you think yours has? I can't made it out, however with the fat "tyranny", I'm guessing AMI. That's an impossible to get find, in any condition.

 

[Gregg3131]

A very very good source on FB site has identified it as an AMI

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Smokeythecat's first-stated ID is correct... it is a civil war era Albemarle Military Institute (in Virginia) button. I'm answering even though Smokey is correct, because you called on me by name in your post's title. See button SU-23 in the Albert book's Schools & Universities section. I'm sure it's an Albernarle school button because I can see M.I. below the Virtus figure, and some key raised letters in its backmark ("Horstmann Bros. & Allien / NY" in rmdc lettering). I should mention, I just got home from about 48 hours in the hospital (90% okay now), which is why I've been unable to acknowledge replies to my first-ever Today's Finds post as a finder . I'll do that tomorrow, after I get about 14 hours of sleep. ;-)​

 

[diggerranger]

What a great find [emoji106]

 

[Plug N Play]