Old Rev Button...I think

[CityDigger]

Haven't asked this question in a while, but whats this? It's a very soft metal. No letters or numbers that I can get off of it. Almost looks like a coat of arms. Cleaned up great as you can see from the initial pic with the quarter. It kind of feels like pewter. Thinking this is my oldest button ever!

 

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[HomeGuardDan]

that is older then the Rev War...if it is silver it is more like 1600s! Nice find

 

[Michellets]

Too bad it's in such rough shape , while I don't see any coats of arms, I do see all the outer sections of a cross at the 3,6,9, and 12 o'clock, but no designs in each quadrant of the cross......

 

[CityDigger]

Actually pleased with the condition of the find. I've found a few rev era things around here and this isn't too bad, imo. I've got a pewter button that can't even be handled because it falls apart in your hands. I think that if I can track down some info on this button, the quadrants will make sense.

 

[detroitdigger]

That is a very cool button!

 

[The Rebel]

That's a GREAT button!

 

[johnnyblaze]

Looks like coin silver to me..Civilian...

Or an extremely fine grade of pewter..

Can you see any iron wire bleeding thru it?

Blaze

 

[ironhorse]

What about it makes you think it's from the revolutionary war?

It may date back to that era, or before perhaps

 

[CityDigger]

I wasn't really sure but have found some other revolutionary era items in the area. I'm clueless on it's age as I've never dug anything like it. Really looking for some help on it. and No I do not see any iron wire bleeding through.

 

[Iron Patch]

Yeah no doubt dates around the Rev War era. Looks like cast lead, and the weight would tell you the difference between that and pewter. Usually pewter doesn't come out that clean, and I think the shank bent over that way would be way more common on a lead button, and just break on a pewter.

 

[johnnyblaze]

Not sure about lead it always comes out of the ground white...

Blaze

 

[CityDigger]

I was thinking the same thing about a lead button having a more chalky white look to it. This cleaned up this way with just a brush.

 

[park pirate]

Nice..

 

[Iron Patch]

Not sure about lead it always comes out of the ground white...

Blaze

No it most certainly does not. Out of salt water it will be very grey, and some ground, usually where condition is pretty good it can be grey. It can also come out black, brown, or any shade between the white oxidation and dark brown.

 

[CRUSADER]

Yeah no doubt dates around the Rev War era. Looks like cast lead, and the weight would tell you the difference between that and pewter. Usually pewter doesn't come out that clean, and I think the shank bent over that way would be way more common on a lead button, and just break on a pewter.

You beat me to it. It is a Lead, not pewter or silver like some say, & does date to the period (18th C). Looks civilian.

PS. Did some checking & I wonder if it might go back as far as the 17th C!

 

[HomeGuardDan]

You beat me to it. It is a Lead, not pewter or silver like some say, & does date to the period (18th C). Looks civilian.

PS. Did some checking & I wonder if it might go back as far as the 17th C!

Cru - I agree. I glanced at it at first, (on my phone) and thought it was one of those that are silver construction (such as the one that I dug earlier this year). It is indeed lead - but I agree, the construction looks very similar to the style of those from the 1600s.



Dan

 

[CRUSADER]

Cru - I agree. I glanced at it at first, (on my phone) and thought it was one of those that are silver construction (such as the one that I dug earlier this year). It is indeed lead - but I agree, the construction looks very similar to the style of those from the 1600s.

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Dan

Yes, as a general rule the lead cast ones with intregal loop are 17th C. My doubts are only because I haven't seen any 17th C types with as crisp a casting as that one. Almost looks too new.

 

[g-olden years]

Fascinating find! I have zero knowledge about buttons, but the central portion of this button looks like a mashed rose blossom to me. Andi

 

[markp]

nice find no matter how old it is. Congrats

 

[CityDigger]

Thanks guys for all of the feedback. Just for curiosity's sake. Is there a tell-tale way to know what it is made of? I've found quite a few bullets in this area and never had one come out of the ground looking like this. I'd be shocked if it's lead...but it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.