✅ SOLVED One for the button sleuths...

[Erik in NJ]

Haven’t cleaned it other than removing the dirt with soap and water. Roped edge and some sort of emblem in the middle. Back of this two-piece button is disintegrating and almost appears to be a non-ferrous metal. Any ideas what it is? Thanks.

 

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[Kray Gelder]

Looks like the 1787 style British Navy Captain/Commander. Your photo is on it's side. Turn 45 degrees clockwise, and you can make out the classic British fouled anchor inset in the oval. Rope outer border. IMO.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

At the following link
Navy buttons
scroll down to the group of button photos titled "1900s Generic British Merchant Navy Officers buttons"
(note, the title is BELOW the groups of photos)
and then look at the 2nd button from left in the 2nd row.

Your button being a 2-piece with brass front and iron back means it is definitely not from any time prior to about 1835.

Also, your button having an iron back means it is not a Military-issue Navy button. Ironback buttons worn in a humid salty air environment will make a nasty rust stain on the cloth uniform. So, no actual Military-issue Navy buttons have an iron back. One exception: We know a civil war era yankee Navy kepi hat-strap button had an iron back, but the strap was black (or dark brown) leather, therefore if a rust stain happened it didn't show.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thank you so much to KrayGelder and TheCannonballGuy for the quick ID on the button. Very interesting information regarding the iron back! Very interesting button, now I need to figure out how to clean it without destroying it. I would have tried some Aluminum Jelly, but it's sadly no longer available. Any suggestions one cleaning are welcome. Thanks again guys--I really appreciate all your help.