GW flat button

[QuickQuestion]

George Washington inaugural flat button

* disclaimer - new to this site, I posted this thread elsewhere in the forum but was likely in the wrong spot haha, my apologies! (This still may be the wrong section too, I’m a mess)

Greetings!

I do not detect myself, and I apologize if there is a better section to post this in. Please feel free to merge/lock if need be.

Anyway, I recently allowed someone to detect on family property which is very old. They found 6 flat buttons all together from the 1700s. Two, I am told, are George Washington inaugural flat buttons. I allowed the person to keep 4 (including one of the GW buttons), and I kept two (the other GW and a regular one).

The one I allowed them to keep is in better shape than mine. But hey, nice guy and I never would have found them otherwise.

My question is - should I attempt to clean mine, or let it be? If I do clean it, what are some safe methods, or am I better off having a professional do it? I’ve tried to google on the topic but I didn’t come across anyone that specifically advertises that specific service.

I will try to add a picture, I’m posting on my phone so we’ll see if I can figure that out.

I appreciate any feedback

 

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[smokeythecat]

They are indeed George Washington Inaugural buttons. If you decide to clean them, use caution. First, just water. Second buy a set of the "andre's pencils" advertised here and on Ebay and elsewhere. You can clean them a micron at a time and have control of what you clean. Do not use electrolysis or chemicals of any kind, they are too rough on the metal.

 

[QuickQuestion]

Thank you! Someone told me to use peroxide, and while I have no knowledge on the topic it didn’t seem right to me. Figured I would ask a larger group.

 

[Hawks88]

First I would like to say welcome to treasurenet. Thanks for giving permission to someone to detect on your property and for allowing that person to keep some of his finds. I’m sure it made his day and yours better.

 

[QuickQuestion]

First I would like to say welcome to treasurenet. Thanks for giving permission to someone to detect on your property and for allowing that person to keep some of his finds. I’m sure it made his day and yours better.

It was the right thing to do! He’ll be coming back, there’s still a lot he wasn’t able to get to.

 

[Raider19962]

Be aware that GW buttons can be very valuable. I wouldn't clean it at all except with water and a very, very light brush. Great find. I found one myself in my own backyard. Estimated value - 5-10k.

 

[Rubka888]

That is a nice button. I would let someone see the button in person to get a better idea of how to clean it. It is very easy to ruin them. Good luck!

 

[tnt-hunter]

Ditto what Hanks88 said. We would all be out of luck if we didn’t have landowners like you. Thank you!