Mysterious button

[Sony the Fox]

I picked up this button at a flea market for a quarter. The seller had a ton of neat junk in display cases and boxes, but he told me he didn't remember having seen the button before. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
It says: Cadet Sic Semper Tyrannis VMI
On the back: H.V.Allien & Co. L. & N.Y.

View attachment 1022442
View attachment 1022442

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

It is a Virginia Military Institute Cadet uniform button. The dealer's-mark on the back, saying "H.V. Allien & Co. L & NY" dates from 1877 to 1948. Dating info is from the book "American Military Button makers & dealers; Their Backmarks & Dates."

The "L & NY" stands for London and new York [City]. Allien's original firm began in New York, with the London branch opening a decade or so later. So, your button having both branches listed in its backmark, dates from about 1890 to as late as 1948.

 

[ekeisler]

Post Civil War VMI Cadet button. This is about the backmark. http://relicman.com/buttons/zBackmarkHorstmann.html

 

[Sony the Fox]

Thanks to both of you!