✅ SOLVED Button help?

[Garrett Gentry]

I was metal detecting a farm that was part of a battlefield during the civil war and found a flat button. This is my first button and I have no idea what it is or how old. I did very little cleaning and was able to get what looks like "or" or "of" on the back. Does anyone have any ideas? The two letters are at the top of the button.

 

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[fyrffytr1]

Your flat button dates to the late 1700s, early 1800s. I think I see Orange /Colour as the backmark. The U in colour means it was made in England. The incised backmark dates it between 1790 and 1810 give or take a few years.

 

[A2coins]

Great I'd wow that's a cool find and really old good job

 

[Garrett Gentry]

Your flat button dates to the late 1700s, early 1800s. I think I see Orange /Colour as the backmark. The U in colour means it was made in England. The incised backmark dates it between 1790 and 1810 give or take a few years.

Thank you so much for the info! I thought that U was just dirt lol. So the OR is part of "Orange/Colour"?

 

[Garrett Gentry]

Great I'd wow that's a cool find and really old good job

Thank you!!

 

[devldog]

Well Done on the find of the button and the help with the ID. Congrat's all the way around.

 

[Garrett Gentry]

Your flat button dates to the late 1700s, early 1800s. I think I see Orange /Colour as the backmark. The U in colour means it was made in England. The incised backmark dates it between 1790 and 1810 give or take a few years.

Also what is the best way to clean this button? Or do i even try to?

 

[fyrffytr1]

You might try a little soapy water and a toothbrush first. It doesn't look like there is anything left on the front. If your not worried about it and the toothbrush doesn't work you can try soaking it in some CLR. And. I need to rethink your button dates. My mind isn't what it used to be. But, then again it never was! I should have said it dates to around 1810-1830 give or take a few years.

 

[Garrett Gentry]

You might try a little soapy water and a toothbrush first. It doesn't look like there is anything left on the front. If your not worried about it and the toothbrush doesn't work you can try soaking it in some CLR. And. I need to rethink your button dates. My mind isn't what it used to be. But, then again it never was! I should have said it dates to around 1810-1830 give or take a few years.

So are you saying the CLR could hurt the button? I want to clean it up as much as possible but try not to harm it. I’ve ruined an old coin before while trying to clean it so that’s why I’m asking lots of questions sorry.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

You might try a little soapy water and a toothbrush first. It doesn't look like there is anything left on the front. If your not worried about it and the toothbrush doesn't work you can try soaking it in some CLR. And. I need to rethink your button dates. My mind isn't what it used to be. But, then again it never was! I should have said it dates to around 1810-1830 give or take a few years.

Welcome to Tnet from Toronto Garrett!

Based on how the loop is attached to the back, I think your assessment on a date of 1810 - 30 is accurate fyrffytr.
It looks like this button may have originally been gold plated, so maybe a soak in lemon juice would be the order.

Dave

 

[fyrffytr1]

So are you saying the CLR could hurt the button? I want to clean it up as much as possible but try not to harm it. I’ve ruined an old coin before while trying to clean it so that’s why I’m asking lots of questions sorry.

I use it on ordinary buttons. It won't disintegrate the button or anything like that. Here is a gold gilt fashion button that was in a fire and heavily encrusted that I used CLR on. There is still a glob of crud on it but it is a lot cleaner than what it was before I cleaned it. I couldn't see any gold on it at first. I also use wooden skewers that I get from Wal-Mart to pick at the crud after it is softened by the CLR.

 

[GopherDaGold]

I strongly disagree with the soapy water tip. That's the best way to remove any remaining patina on your button.

 

[Garrett Gentry]

Welcome to Tnet from Toronto Garrett!

Based on how the loop is attached to the back, I think your assessment on a date of 1810 - 30 is accurate fyrffytr.
It looks like this button may have originally been gold plated, so maybe a soak in lemon juice would be the order.

Dave

How long should I soak it in the lemon juice?

 

[fyrffytr1]

I strongly disagree with the soapy water tip. That's the best way to remove any remaining patina on your button.

I would not use soapy water on a valuable item. I only suggested it because the OP's item is a plain flat button and I have used soapy water and a toothbrush on many ordinary items without damaging them. I use a soft toothbrush with light pressure with good results.

 

[Garrett Gentry]

I use it on ordinary buttons. It won't disintegrate the button or anything like that. Here is a gold gilt fashion button that was in a fire and heavily encrusted that I used CLR on. There is still a glob of crud on it but it is a lot cleaner than what it was before I cleaned it. I couldn't see any gold on it at first. I also use wooden skewers that I get from Wal-Mart to pick at the crud after it is softened by the CLR.

So I did some cleaning to the button and it turns out that it looks like it isn't an OR it's on OF on the back. Right next to the OF looks like AN then a couple more letters. Do you still believe the backmark is "Original"?

 

[smokeythecat]

It's probably "orange", which was par of a popular English backmark, as the others have stated 1810-1830 ish. I do not clean my buttons with ANY liquids anymore whatsoever, I have ruined a few coins and buttons over the years that way. If you take the patina off, you wind up with garbage. I mechanically clean all stuff now. Now a fire encrusted button is a different animal altogether. On a VALUABLE button don't even think about cleaning it. I have seen several George Washington Inaugural buttons ruined by cleaning.

 

[fyrffytr1]

So I did some cleaning to the button and it turns out that it looks like it isn't an OR it's on OF on the back. Right next to the OF looks like AN then a couple more letters. Do you still believe the backmark is "Original"?

View attachment 1794284 View attachment 1794285 View attachment 1794286

In the third picture I can see "CO" and "UR" with letters in between at the bottom. Pretty sure that is COLOUR and I still think it is ORANGE at the top. Orange Colour was a generic quality backmark and, as far as I know, hasn't been attributed to any particular button maker. How did you clean it?