How old is this Great Seal?

[SCDigginWithAK]

I know they date from 1902-present and that WW1 ones had a black finish. I haven't seen this backmark on a great seal though. Backmark is Extra Quality with 3 dots separating the words on both sides. Is it pre-WW1?

 

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[ATpro5]

It doesn't have a raised rim, so I would say its a early one. Id say that it is pre WWI. I read somewhere that they reused back marks repeatedly so I don't think using the back mark to date the button would be reliable. Good one!

 

[fyrffytr1]

The lack of a rim dates your button between 1902 and 1910 when the rim was added.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Thanks y'all! I didn't know that about great seals.

 

[Old Dude]

Nice old button. The lack of the raised rim does say pre-1910. Here is a great thread started by Bigcypresshunter. Very informative posts!

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/112828-great-seal-button-backmarks-help-2.html

Good luck in finding it.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Thanks! I went through his post last night and didn't find my backmark on there. Found it on a website but not for a great seal. The search continues!

 

[Old Dude]

Thanks! I went through his post last night and didn't find my backmark on there. Found it on a website but not for a great seal. The search continues!

If you find some info on it, will you contact Bigcypresshunter so he can add it to the thread? The more info we have access to, the more we can know. Thanks.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

The button-backmark "Superior Quality" originated in Britain in the first decade of the 1800s... and has been in continuous usage ever since then. Therefore, if the backmark says nothing but "Superior Quality" it is almost entirely useless for button dating. Two exceptions are:
1- If "Superior Quality" it written in raised-mark lettering, it dates from sometime between approximately 1800 to 1840.
2- If "Superior Quality" is written in "plain block" lettering, it dates sometime between the 1880s and the present. (Note that SCDigginWithAK's 1902-1910 Great Seal button's Superior Quality backmark is written in "plain block" lettering.)

Nearly all of the button-backmarks manufactured before 1880 had "serifed" lettering. A Serif is the little prong (or hook, or knob, etc) on the end of a letter's long bars. See the diagram below.

Important note for civil war button diggers and collectors:
If a button's backmark has "plain block" lettering, the odds are about 99% that it is from sometime after the end of the civil war.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

If you find some info on it, will you contact Bigcypresshunter so he can add it to the thread? The more info we have access to, the more we can know. Thanks.

I havent had time to rewrite the list but I added it to the thread.

rockermike17368 has a larger collection and more information than I and he is writing a book on Great Seal button backmarks but its a work in progress.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

The button-backmark "Superior Quality" originated in Britain in the first decade of the 1800s... and has been in continuous usage ever since then. Therefore, if the backmark says nothing but "Superior Quality" it is almost entirely useless for button dating. Two exceptions are: 1- If "Superior Quality" it written in raised-mark lettering, it dates from sometime between approximately 1800 to 1840. 2- If "Superior Quality" is written in "plain block" lettering, it dates sometime between the 1880s and the present. (Note that SCDigginWithAK's 1902-1910 Great Seal button's Superior Quality backmark is written in "plain block" lettering.) Nearly all of the button-backmarks manufactured before 1880 had "serifed" lettering. A Serif is the little prong (or hook, or knob, etc) on the end of a letter's long bars. See the diagram below. Important note for civil war button diggers and collectors: If a button's backmark has "plain block" lettering, the odds are about 99% that it is from sometime after the end of the civil war.

Does it matter that this is an Extra Quality backmark or does it still apply the same way? Thanks for the great information!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Yes, same time-period info applies for an "Extra Quality" backmark, and for ones written in raised lettering or in "plain block" lettering.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

We dont know the company that made your button as its a generic mark. But the pre-WW1 buttons are usually more desirable.