Gold Guilt War of 1812 Navy Officer Button (Big Drama...)

[bergie]

Great story, that became a bad story, that became a great story again. A couple months or so ago I posted War of 1812 Navy Officer button I found at battle site, still with gold guilt on it. My brother was visiting from out of town this weekend so I wanted to show it to him and I had it wrapped in small piece of paper towel. Took it in my pocket to restaurant telling myself this might be a mistake, don't forget about this in the paper towel, nah, I said to myself, not going to happen. The next day we are out fishing on a boat and I remember I never showed it to him, but no problem, that pair of jeans is in the car when we get back to the dock I'll show him. Well you know what's coming,,,no paper towel, anywhere...that sinking feeling...no button...@$*@#*#(#@@$%...so later that day I'm thinking about it again and I did go home after the restaurant, before fishing the next day. I seem to remember leaving the paper towel on the dresser, but not certain. No way I would toss that out myself without remembering...Here's where some past history gets involved. I am known to leave pieces of paper towel around the house crumpled up and my girlfriend tosses it and it's a running thing. By this time my brother and I had left town and were couple hours away overnight elsewhere so I called and asked my girlfriend do you remember throwing out small piece of paper towel on dresser: "Not sure, maybe, why" -- "Oh, no biggie, only had one of the best things I ever found."...So she set aside the last two big bags of garbage from outside - luckily it wasn't going to be picked up until Monday morning. So I just got home and went through the gross garbage, including some dog stuff...see below for the outcome. Needless to say, no more wrapping stuff in paper towel for me.

 

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[Peyton Manning]

wow, very nice button too!
hope that lerns her hide!

 

[Pirateofthewaste]

Awesome find an save

 

[Cross Potent]

Losing that beauty would cause some real tears!

 

[texjim]

Awesome recovery x 2

 

[deershed]

Sweet button!! Glad it wasn't tossed out and you recovered it for the second time.

 

[ironhorse]

Wow that's an awesome button!

Keep a closer eye on it, I'd hate to see that one go missing again

 

[sutphin]

Been there almost did the same thing nice button . vanzutphen

 

[metaldetecta]

My grandpa accidentally threw away a ziploc bag with a barber dime, mercury dime, military button, relics, and about 20 wheat pennies I found at my family farm. He assumed it was junk and tossed it. Luckily the first spot I checked was the garbage. I am glad you had good luck like I did!

 

[Argentium]

In that condition I have to think a button of that era might be worth a fair bit ? Nice Find !

 

[g-olden years]

Nice button & glad you got it back! Andi

 

[Iron Patch]

The salt in the wound would have been you ignored your gut instinct... not usually a good idea! I'd never take one of my better finds out of the house without in being in something larger and much harder to lose.

 

[The Patriot]

I got out of that habbit early...heard of too many horror stories, similar to yours...even the kids with their retainers had thrown them out...not knowing... bring the people to the finds and not the other way around lol...great save twice...

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Great lost/recovery story! You have a beautiful piece of history, thank you for sharing.

 

[gene the machine]

i can do the same kind of thing only i do it to myself. no girl friend required. My grandkids say i can hide my own Easter eggs.

 

[park pirate]

Cool story glad ya found it thats a very nice button...

 

[pepperj]

Great to see the story ends on a happy note. Paper, Kleenex, are simply dangerous for finds.

 

[Dug]

Great story, that became a bad story, that became a great story again. A couple months or so ago I posted War of 1812 Navy Officer button I found at battle site, still with gold guilt on it. My brother was visiting from out of town this weekend so I wanted to show it to him and I had it wrapped in small piece of paper towel. Took it in my pocket to restaurant telling myself this might be a mistake, don't forget about this in the paper towel, nah, I said to myself, not going to happen. The next day we are out fishing on a boat and I remember I never showed it to him, but no problem, that pair of jeans is in the car when we get back to the dock I'll show him. Well you know what's coming,,,no paper towel, anywhere...that sinking feeling...no button...@$*@#*#(#@@$%...so later that day I'm thinking about it again and I did go home after the restaurant, before fishing the next day. I seem to remember leaving the paper towel on the dresser, but not certain. No way I would toss that out myself without remembering...Here's where some past history gets involved. I am known to leave pieces of paper towel around the house crumpled up and my girlfriend tosses it and it's a running thing. By this time my brother and I had left town and were couple hours away overnight elsewhere so I called and asked my girlfriend do you remember throwing out small piece of paper towel on dresser: "Not sure, maybe, why" -- "Oh, no biggie, only had one of the best things I ever found."...So she set aside the last two big bags of garbage from outside - luckily it wasn't going to be picked up until Monday morning. So I just got home and went through the gross garbage, including some dog stuff...see below for the outcome. Needless to say, no more wrapping stuff in paper towel for me.

Bergie, glad you were able to recover such a beautiful button!

For all readers: Never Never Never put your finds in a rolled up tissue or paper towel. I lost a Dog Bone I Infantry pewter button and never recovered it as I had put it in a wadded up tissue for protection while researching it. Needless to say it was accidently thrown out. Granted the edges were eaten away, but it was my first and only. Woulda, coulda, shoulda!

 

[CRUSADER]

Close call.....

Shaun7 had his hammereds throw away in a similar manner.

 

[voodoo]

Oh that sinking feeling....gaaaahhhhh! kinda got sick reading the first part of that story. lol glad you found it. That sure would have been a shame to throw that out.