The Smallest Colonial Flat Button I Have Ever Found!

[FreeBirdTim]

Found a colonial flat button today about four inches down. Nothing special about it, except that it's only 1/2" in diameter! Thought it was a rivet until I cleaned the dirt off the shank. Without a doubt, the smallest flat button I have ever dug!

 

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[beez0404]

That is a very small button and a fantastic find. I'll betcha someone on this site can share more knowledge about it's use and age.

 

[Steve in PA]

Those are very common on sites dating to around 1800 give or take a few years. It's just a matter of hearing them. If they are down more than 4 inches or so, they are difficult to pick up.

 

[DigIron2]

good find.Sometimes got to listen for that slight sound to find those little cuff buttons.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

That is a very small button and a fantastic find.

Thanks! I think it's a great find as well, especially in a public park that's full of pull tabs, can slaw and foil. By the way, it rang up as a nickel. Almost didn't dig it, since a nickel signal with my Ace 250 is rarely a nickel!

 

[Old Dude]

Those are very common on sites dating to around 1800 give or take a few years. It's just a matter of hearing them. If they are down more than 4 inches or so, they are difficult to pick up.

That must explain why I haven't found mine yet!
Very nice find. I've yet to find a flat one of any size.

 

[vpnavy]

Great finds! Thanks for sharing...

 

[port ewen ace]

I regret to inform you that mine is smaller than yours. both were dug from corn field in Ulster county NY. last week before the 4 days of rain. the tiny one is 7/16" diameter and has lettering on back that is not readable at 25X magnification. both were treated in peroxide bath 6 times and still need help due to the fertilizer damage.

Found a colonial flat button today about four inches down. Nothing special about it, except that it's only 1/2" in diameter! Thought it was a rivet until I cleaned the dirt off the shank. Without a doubt, the smallest flat button I have ever dug!


View attachment 1008440View attachment 1008441

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I regret to inform you that mine is smaller than yours.

I'm not going to touch that statement, but those are very nice finds with the Ace 250!

 

[CRUSADER]

I regret to inform you that mine is smaller than yours. both were dug from corn field in Ulster county NY. last week before the 4 days of rain. the tiny one is 7/16" diameter and has lettering on back that is not readable at 25X magnification. both were treated in peroxide bath 6 times and still need help due to the fertilizer damage.View attachment 1009290View attachment 1009291

Can I play?

8mm seems to be the smallest the 18th C examples go. No idea what they used them on, maybe just decor on a sleeve??

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

they are civilian cuff buttons,find em all the time at colonial sites

 

[CRUSADER]

they are civilian cuff buttons,find em all the time at colonial sites

You get quite a few, have you any under 10mm yet?

 

[FreeBirdTim]

they are civilian cuff buttons,find em all the time at colonial sites

Not many who post here have access to colonial sites on a regular basis, so finding a 200 year old flat button at a public park is a thrill. If you think they're common and worthless, feel free to send me all your flat buttons ASAP!

 

[Hunthicks]

I like finding those little buttons at four or five inches, gives me confidence I'm not missing much!

 

[grasshopper]

Nice find. Out of curiosity, how do you know it's colonial? Is it just the lack of a back mark?

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Nice find. Out of curiosity, how do you know it's colonial? Is it just the lack of a back mark?

It's probably incorrect, but I call any paper thin flat button without a back mark "colonial". Maybe I should call it colonial era flat button instead.

Also, this spot has produced a 1780's Artois shoe buckle, .69 caliber musket balls and 1776 and 1784 half reals, so it could be from that period.