Intentionally smashed flat button.

[Barrydang]

I like finding things that were modified by someone over 150 years ago. Why they beat this button I don’t know. Looks like they tried to put a hole in it and they beat the shank down. I have found one other button like this one and the shank is only somewhat bent over. I like it. Leaves more questions. It says extra rich orange on the back.

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!! A tree may have fell on it

 

[smokeythecat]

I have one from the 18th century where the shank was bent over and a piece of lead was wedged in the hole of the shank. There were remnants of thread in the hole. The lead would have weighted down the button. It was apparently used by a native American as a fringe weight for his tunic.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Still a keeper!

 

[A2coins]

That's a cool find