FINDINGS IN A GHOST TOWN

Conito@55 · Aug 15, 2026

Here are some of the things I found in the ghost town—I didn't find any coins 😞, but I did come across some cool stuff.

I looked up some information about this button, and it turned out to be a California Civil War coat button.

This ring was handmade. I don't think it's the most beautiful one, but it's unique.

This little clover-shaped thing with the letter B

I have no idea what this was, but it has a bust that says "S.M. VICTOR MANNUEL"

So here's everything I found today

billb · Aug 15, 2026

Congratulations on your great recoveries!!!
It’s amazing how many items you got there.
My eyes quickly look at those awesome round pieces that I never have seen before.
Thanks for sharing with us

Conito@55 · Aug 15, 2026

billb said:
Congratulations on your great recoveries!!!
It’s amazing how many items you got there.
My eyes quickly look at those awesome round pieces that I never have seen before.
Thanks for sharing with us

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and leave a comment.

Nathan W · Aug 15, 2026

Great haul. Curious what is this? I've got one as well never knew what it is

Red-Coat · Aug 15, 2026

Conito@55 said:
I have no idea what this was, but it has a bust that says "S.M. VICTOR MANNUEL"
View attachment 2262561

Some nice little pieces of history there. Love the California button and the castle picture button.

I'm not sure what the very interesting item above might be but it actually says 'S. M. VICTOR EMMANUEL' and may be followed by an illegible 'II' or 'III'. Both Victor Emmanuels were kings of Italy, and the depiction appears to be Victor Emmanuel II, who reigned from 1861-1878. The 'S M' is for 'Sua Maestà' (His Majesty).

It's not from Italy, though since he would be referred to by his Italian name 'Vittorio Emannuel'. Also, coins, tokens, medallions and such from Italy don't usually include the 'S M' title for the king.

I have seen jetons produced in Germany with his portrait and using the non-Italian 'Victor Emannuel' name, but I don't recognise that one as a jeton. Is it uniface (which wouldn't indicate a jeton)? Is there anything on the other side? How thick and sturdy is it? Flimsy enough to be from a wine bottle capsule? Any idea on what it's made of? Lead (which might mean it's a bale seal)? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm interested.

Conito@55 · Aug 15, 2026

Nathan W said:
Great haul. Curious what is this? I've got one as well never knew what it is

I think it's a lead cap, like the kind used on a gunpowder container.

Fredneck · Aug 15, 2026

Pretty rare War period button from California $300+ ...I like it !! Lots of cool finds :icon_thumright:

Conito@55 · Aug 15, 2026

Red-Coat said:
Some nice little pieces of history there. Love the California button and the castle picture button.

I'm not sure what the very interesting item above might be but it actually says 'S. M. VICTOR EMMANUEL' and may be followed by an illegible 'II' or 'III'. Both Victor Emmanuels were kings of Italy, and the depiction appears to be Victor Emmanuel II, who reigned from 1861-1878. The 'S M' is for 'Sua Maestà' (His Majesty).

It's not from Italy, though since he would be referred to by his Italian name 'Vittorio Emannuel'. Also, coins, tokens, medallions and such from Italy don't usually include the 'S M' title for the king.

I have seen jetons produced in Germany with his portrait and using the non-Italian 'Victor Emannuel' name, but I don't recognise that one as a jeton. Is it uniface (which wouldn't indicate a jeton)? Is there anything on the other side? How thick and sturdy is it? Flimsy enough to be from a wine bottle capsule? Any idea on what it's made of? Lead (which might mean it's a bale seal)? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm interested.

It's thin and made of copper. There's nothing on the back.

Conito@55 · Aug 15, 2026

Fredneck said:
Pretty rare War period button from California $300+ ...I like it !! Lots of cool finds

I can't believe it's worth that much😱

billb · Aug 15, 2026

Conito@55 said:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and leave a comment.

You are welcome..
Those buttons are spectacular!!!!!

Conito@55 · Aug 15, 2026

billb said:
You are welcome..
Those buttons are spectacular!!!!!

Thank you again

Red-Coat · Aug 16, 2026

Conito@55 said:
It's thin and made of copper. There's nothing on the back.

In that case, my guess would be that it’s some kind of unofficial medallion (or possibly even a button that has lost its soldered loop?) produced in support of Victor Emmanuel becoming King of a unified Italy, or more probably in celebration of it when that came to fruition.

He had been King of Sardinia since 1849 and, immediately after the Franco-Sardinian victory over Austria in 1859 during the during the Second Italian War of Independence, there was a huge popular uprising in the spring and summer that year for him to become the first King of a united Italy. Popular support by patriots of Italy often used the slogan ‘VERDI’ (standing for Vittorio Emanuele, Re d'Italia / Victor Emmanuel, King of Italy) as graffiti and it was even chanted in Viennese opera houses as a secret message that bypassed Austrian censorship. Outside Italy, the non-Italian spelling of his name was used.

This one in bronze, uniface and without any legend, produced by an unknown artisan signed as ‘RAYNALY’ and dated 1859 (two years before he became the Italian King):