Metal button, Paris Perfectionne on back, Bird and Banner on front

[John107P]

Help identify this dug button. Found in McKean County PA
We have also found several British and French coins dating from late 1700's to early 1800's, some identified, some not yet. The town we are in was founded in 1864, so it is curious why these items would be present. It's an ongoing project.

 

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[invent4hir]

John107P, welcome to Tnet & nice button. Someone here will be able to ID. How large is it? Did you find anything else nearby and if so what?

 

[John107P]

the button measures 15/16. Found several British & French coins as well, dates late 1700's early 1800's

 

[Lenrac2]

Welcome to TNet! Nice button!

 

[fyrffytr1]

I can't find anything on it but I have a feeling it's a good one. Do I see a 16 in the shield?

 

[fyrffytr1]

I think I found it. It is listed in Albert's button book as OD 20 U.S. Official; 1-piece convex with border,
The device, an eagle,13 stars and a ribbon inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM above, on a lined field.
The Alberts specimen has a "Superfin/A Paris raised letter backmark and is 24mm in diameter.
That is a very nice find and the first one I can remember seeing on this site.

 

[fyrffytr1]

If I had to guess, I would date your button to the early 1800s.

 

[Red-Coat]

As I understand it, the “PARIS / PEREFCTIONNE” back mark is not reliably attributed, but the mark “SUPERFIN / V – PERFECTiONNE – G” is seen on US General Service buttons from the 1850s, where the “V” and “G” are for Viette & Gourdin of Paris.

The company is known to have used the “PERFECTIONNE” term on various button styles from the early 1840s through to the 1850s and buttons without the “VG” indication are also tentatively assigned to them. They were a former tailoring house, listed as a manufacturer of fancy buttons at 16 Cloitre St-Honoree in Paris from around 1842 and then seem to have become Gourdin et Compagnie (G&C or GC) by about 1854.

 

[erfranks]

Awesome Button!!

 

[John107P]

I don't see a 16, but now that you've told me, I can definitely read U Pluribus Unum

 

[Steve in PA]

Very cool button. First one I've seen.

 

[East Coast Relics on FB]

As I understand it, the “PARIS / PEREFCTIONNE” back mark is not reliably attributed, but the mark “SUPERFIN / V – PERFECTiONNE – G” is seen on US General Service buttons from the 1850s, where the “V” and “G” are for Viette & Gourdin of Paris.

The company is known to have used the “PERFECTIONNE” term on various button styles from the early 1840s through to the 1850s and buttons without the “VG” indication are also tentatively assigned to them. They were a former tailoring house, listed as a manufacturer of fancy buttons at 16 Cloitre St-Honoree in Paris from around 1842 and then seem to have become Gourdin et Compagnie (G&C or GC) by about 1854.

The earliest date I've seen for G & C IE without the lion coat of arms, is 1851. I have a V & G from 1847.

 

[invent4hir]

Wow, super finds! Although the town was found in 1864 the area was visited/inhabited by European Americans decades before. Per FamilySearch the county was formed from Lycoming County 26 March 1804, which in turn was formed from Northumberland County 13 April 1795.

 

[crashbandicoot]

Cool!Welcome to Tnet!

 

[East Coast Relics on FB]

The earliest date I've seen for G & C IE without the lion coat of arms, is 1851. I have a V & G from 1847.

I now have a G&C from 1847. Could be the year V&G became G&C.

 

[CRUSADER]

First one I've seen.

Me too. Must be fairly scarce.