SILVER Button dated 1795...1805 LC...1790 1-real. BUTTON HELP!! Early "Free Masons"??

[hogge]

SILVER Button dated 1795...1805 LC...1790 1-real. BUTTON HELP!! Early "Free Masons"??

This spot keeps giving. DigginitRTB found this unique button. Need help with inscription. Looks like an "eye" under the "A". I dunno

 

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[Aureus]

This find is totally out of this world! Absolutely amazing and banner worthy. The quality of the item and the mystery surrounding the etching is incredible.
I believe those letters also represent ancient Greek numerals 500 - 30 - 200

Could also be graduation button for Foreign Literature Studies (Phi, Lambda and Sigma).

 

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[Digginitrtb2]

Shank is also made of silver

 

[Scrappy]

That's one of the coolest buttons I've seen in quite a while! The numeral style is period for the date inscribed, so I doubt it was made at any later time. Home run!!!!!!!

 

[CRUSADER]

Very nice find. As silver buttons of this period are nearly unheard of, unless they were cuff-links, I think it likely that it was hand-made from a smooth coin.

 

[trdking]

Phi Lambda Sigma was also my first guess. It is more than likely a fraternity button. The first American Fraternity (for a college) Started in 1776 in Virginia I believe. Many fraternity rose up and faded away. I do not see any history on PLS fraternity until 1965 which is the Pharmaceutical Fraternity. That does not mean that one did not rise up in the birth time of our nation and quickly fade away. Im going fraternity button. and it is an incredible find. You may also find that you may have the only evidence that this frat existed. Anyone?

 

[trapperart]

Some very nice finds congrats

 

[pepperj]

Whoa that button is incredible!!!! I love the look of old hand etched silver. Never seen anything quite like it. Unique and gorgeous. I'd give up 200 of my Large cents for that thing in a heartbeat. Tell your friend congrats. If he posted it I'd give it a BANNER vote in a second

Greedy ----, Hoarder, just to name a few, but 200 that's too cool!

The dated silver button is one cool relic, banner material.

 

[hogge]

Looked closely with my loop today. If it was a coin there is absolutely no evidence of it left. Rim is smooth. Kool inscribed etching around the front rim like it was done with a needle. The date etching and lettering is extraordinarily high quality. Silversmith for sure. Shank is also silver. After he dug it up, he said it was the find of the day.

 

[sutphin]

I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE WENT DIGGING TODAY CAUSE FINDS LIKE THIS, GIVE ME THE ITCH> YOU GOT A NICE BUTTON OR MEDALLION >

 

[CRUSADER]

Looked closely with my loop today. If it was a coin there is absolutely no evidence of it left. Rim is smooth. Kool inscribed etching around the front rim like it was done with a needle. The date etching and lettering is extraordinarily high quality. Silversmith for sure. Shank is also silver. After he dug it up, he said it was the find of the day.

So what you are implying is that not only does it have an amateur looking loop attached, but a silversmith made a blank silver button (with a poor looking loop), & some other individual incised it? (because its not a professional inscription)

 

[scruggs]

Sweet button!

 

[hogge]

So what you are implying is that not only does it have an amateur looking loop attached, but a silversmith made a blank silver button (with a poor looking loop), & some other individual incised it? (because its not a professional inscription)

Nope.... Not at all. Could have been a coin. There is just no evidence that I can see, but a smooth planchet. There are no smith marks. All I know is what I see. Looks like pretty fine work to me. Then again, we "Colonials", were considered crude by British standards at the time anyways.LOL!

 

[Relicific]

Very cool button
Congrats

 

[TheGreatNorth]

Awesome button! I've never seen one like it posted and am oozing with ENVY! BANNER in my opinion. Great finds and thanks for sharing!

 

[Carolina Tom]

Tell your buddy that I said congrats.

That is really something special, I have never seen anything like it. Wow...

 

[hogge]

After some research I found some more info. I'll share it tonight in a post. Look up....."Dr. Peter Bryant Cummington or Plainfield Ma." The etching in the center below the letters depicts a "CADUCEUS". Take a look.