🔎 UNIDENTIFIED I've found an eagle button and need help identifying it.

[HottMessFishin]

Been trying to identify it and really want to be able to figure out what it is/when it's from. I'm scared to clean it to much but this is what I found.... a Flat Eagle button with a shield (I'm pretty sure lol). THANK YOU for all the help. Found in Virgina, if that helps.

 

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[Bamasteve]

Very nice find, I’m by no means a button expert, but that looks like a very early one. Maybe 1812ish?

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

hard to see the whole eagle on yours but i think its a match to this one, right?

got that from here https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/nice-eagle-flat-button-earl-lee-new-york.513971/

looks like #56 in record of American uniform and historical buttons, Alphaeus Alberts book. militia button with a different backmark. Great find!

quote from that thread, if im right. but best to let an expert weigh in

 

[HottMessFishin]

Very nice find, I’m by no means a button expert, but that looks like a very early one. Maybe 1812ish?

Thank you, I've only found 2 buttons so far.. both eagles, not an expert either, but I've had other people give me similar dates for how old it could be.

 

[HottMessFishin]

hard to see the whole eagle on yours but i think its a match to this one, right?
View attachment 2094770

got that from here https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/nice-eagle-flat-button-earl-lee-new-york.513971/


quote from that thread, if im right. but best to let an expert weigh in

Wow!! that's the closest I've seen yet. Might actually be it 😯😯😯 Wow thank you!

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

i think that might be it. I mean look at the backs!


maybe you can gently clean up the back of yours and see if there is a back mark

 

[HottMessFishin]

hard to see the whole eagle on yours but i think its a match to this one, right?
View attachment 2094770

got that from here https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/nice-eagle-flat-button-earl-lee-new-york.513971/


quote from that thread, if im right. but best to let an expert weigh in

It's not it. The top of the shield is different. Thank you though

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

but there is a shield on yours? i cant even make that out from your photo. i was solely going on the shape of the eagle.

 

[HottMessFishin]

but there is a shield on yours? i cant even make that out from your photo. i was solely going on the shape of the eagle.

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

oh yeah i can see a shield now. but cant make out what is on it. could some stars on the outer edge of worn off. could they be any of these?

 

[HottMessFishin]

oh yeah i can see a shield now. but cant make out what is on it. could some stars on the outer edge of worn off. could they be any of these?

The top left is the one that I'm thinking. The shield has an anchor on it.

 

[Fredneck]

Having a hard time seeing any stars, could possibly be NA 74 in Albert's, Navy 1pc lined shield with anchor, no stars...bm "Treble Gilt/Standard Colour" which would make it a British import. Any back marks ?

 

[HottMessFishin]

Having a hard time seeing any stars, could possibly be NA 74 in Albert's, Navy 1pc with lined shield no stars...bm "Treble Gilt/Standard Colour" which would make it a British import. Any back marks ?

Took me a while but I do think I see a star above the eagles head. Is there any way to see the button you are talking about ? When toothpicking the back I'm nervous I'm cleaning it too much and so I haven't been able to see anything on it yet.

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

The top left is the one that I'm thinking. The shield has an anchor on it.

ok here is the thread that goes with that picture.
https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/nice-eagle-flat-button-earl-lee-new-york.513971

looks like #56 in record of American uniform and historical buttons, Alphaeus Alberts book. militia button with a different backmark. Great find!

a quote from that thread, if you think its the same coin.
You might not be able to see enough of whats left to get a 100% ID

Took me a while but I do think I see a star above the eagles head. When toothpicking the back I'm nervous I'm cleaning it too much and so I haven't been able to see anything on it yet.

I think we have all been there before, its nerve racking. Be gentle and do a little at a time. I think the most important thing is to take a lot of good, well lit, pictures throughout the whole process. you never know when you might go past the point of it being readable. But the back mark would really help nail down the ID. Also when lighting the button for photography. Often if you move your light source to the side. You can cast shadows from the valleys in the piece, so the lettering will stand out better. Good luck

 

[Fredneck]

Looks like your Screenshot (32) but no stars. Stars, no stars, still a cool early 1800's Navy button. Nice dig !