✅ SOLVED So far Ive got... Its a button.

[Hawkeye35]

So far I've got... It's a button.

I found this button in my yard near Richmond, VA. The front is perfectly flat and the back has a little hill in the middle where the loop is attached and is flared out at the edges. If there was ever anything on the front I can't tell. I would like to know how old it might be and what these types of buttons are commonly called and anything else. I think it's about a hundred years old based on the fact that within 300 yards of where I found this button there were two old houses. One of which was once used as a general store and is still inhabited. The other one was abandoned and is now partially collapsed. I believe both homes were built around the turn of the century. I haven't done much metal detecting and don't currently own a metal detector. This is the first thing I've ever found of any interest. I found this along with a bunch of beer cans and 9mm cases with a Garret Ace 250 over a year ago. I plan to get back into it more seriously at some point.

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

Your button is what collectors of historical buttons call a 1-piece brass "flatbutton." The specific version you found (which does not have a backmark (maker's-marking) on its back dates from the late-1700s through the 1830s or just a bit later. These 1-piece brass flatbuttons were manufactured in the millions for use on civilian clothing, not military, although we know that a few did get used on Militia uniforms. Because there were indeed literally millions of them, they sell at civil war relic shows for about $2. (I invite you to attend the next civil war show here in Richmond, and say hello to me there in-person.)

By the way, I see that that was your very first post here at TreasureNet, so I'll also say welcome to T-Net's "What-Is-It?" forum, the best place on the internet for getting unknown objects CORRECTLY identified.

 

[Hawkeye35]

Wow! Thanks! So it's older than I thought. It's not rare or valuable but it's my first find so I'll be holding on to it as if it were. Sadly, I don't live in VA anymore but since I've moved I've discovered some interesting information about my ancestors that makes me wish I still lived there. Might just have to move back there and see if I can find anything they left behind. If I'm ever in the area and a show happens to be going on I'll be sure stop in and say hello.