Old button

[Janandjudy]

I recently dug up an old button from an elementary school play yard and can't identify it. Is appears to be brass and has a cross on the face with the letters HCCI (1 in each corner) and the back has Horstmann Bros Phil. Any ideas?

 

[CoilyGirl]

Can you take a picture if it and post it here? That might help with someone identifying it better.

 

[granthansen]

Pic please.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Sounds like a Holy Communion Church Institue button. This was an institute that was created just after the Civil War leading to a military school in Charleston if I am correct, but I also think I remember NC being in the discussion. These buttons are found around CW camps, but the backmarks date them as post. Very cool find if it is what it sounds like it is.

Dan