✅ SOLVED Can someone tell me anythning about this Excelsior Flat Button i found today.

[bonepicker]

I dug this flat button today, and I was hoping someone could help me with identifying it.
I gave it a quick wipe, because I wanted to see what was on the button, and I could see an eagle and the word excelsior, the strange thing was the front surface, and eagle was kind of shiny, and the back had a green patina.
There is also a strange seam across the back of it. Cant see any writing on the back.
The last 2 photos were taken without flash, so you can see the silver/shiny color on the front.
Please help with ID and Date.
Thanks HH

 

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[duggap]

I think you have a very nice button there. As best these old eyes will see, it appears to be a post revolution button. Per Albert's button book it is number NY 9 A&B, on page 198. I have no opinion as to if its original or a reproduction. The two listed in Albert's book both had backmarks, but if yours has one I can't read it.

 

[bonepicker]

Wow, that would be awesome if you are correct. I don't know much about flat buttons, as this is the first one I have ever found. I cant see any back mark. Although it is pretty cruddy.. Also i will say that the area im hunting is not a public park, and also not a well traveled area, at least not in this day and time.
I kinda thought it was junk at first, because i don't ever find real old stuff, and it was a lil shiny, reminded me of something plated.
Didn't pay it much attention til i got home and googled excelsior.
I went back to the place where i recently found a 1919 wheat, and a slick SLQ, pounded the surrounding area only to find nothing good, then right at the end of the day, i moved back in a high trash area around a big cedar tree, and bam.
If this item is post-rev it will be the oldest item i have ever found, im definitely going back, and im super excited.
Thanks
Any idea on a value, cleaning method, preservation technique.
And is that book you quoted available online, if so please provide link.
Thanks

 

[Tony in SC]

Being cast and no back mark, could be a blazer button. Tony

 

[duggap]

I don't have a way to estimate value, but the book you asked about is "Record of American Uniform and Historical Buttons by Alphaeus H. Albert." You can find them at Amazon and some others I believe. They are getting a little pricy.

 

[bonepicker]

Being cast and no back mark, could be a blazer button. Tony

and reality slaps the kid back down to earth, but im not giving up yet. I did just find a early us navy button online with no backmark, and a similar line across the back ike mine..
EARLY U. S. NAVY
Backmark: ""Blank" rm(25mm)
Very nice condition, early 1798-1810 period U. S. Navy coat button. Flat, one piece, raised design brass button. This pattern depicts an eagle facing left on a rise. The eagle's right wing holds the slanted oval shield. Inside is a large fouled anchor that is set on a lined field. The cable comes off the anchors top ring on the left side then wraps around and under the shaft and hangs loose under the left side fluke. Encircling the eagle is 13, six pointed stars. All of this is in high relief and set on a plain field without border. This one is struck off center and the star above the eagle's head is mostly worn off from use. There is also a stress crack above the eagle's right wing. The front has a good amount of the finish showing with the outer edges showing wear. The back has a smooth appearance with the mold seam prominent. The full shank is tight upright and solid. I believe this button to be non-dug which is far less common than excavated ones. A very sharp appearing button overall. More than likely made by "Wishart N. York" even though this one is blank.
Ref: Albert - NA7A1 -

 

[nhbenz]

I feel pretty sure there is a backmark, just well hidden under the grime... If you supersize the darker image of the back I believe parts of letters are definately visible on the lower half. I also used a magnifying glass, but my eyes aren't great.
But maybe a sanity check is in order... Does anyone else see something there?

 

[bonepicker]

I feel pretty sure there is a backmark, just well hidden under the grime... If you supersize the darker image of the back I believe parts of letters are definately visible on the lower half. I also used a magnifying glass, but my eyes aren't great.
But maybe a sanity check is in order... Does anyone else see something there?

I supersized it and used a magnifier and it did seem like i saw a letter, or part of a letter here and there.
I could clean it, but i don't want to damage it. Im still learning cleaning, and will admit in the past i have sometimes done more damage than good.
I found this one on ebay, in the description it says part of the silverwash still remains. Were these silverwashed or plated? Pricey too..
Not that i would sell, but it is nice to find something worth more than a nickel or a penny, every now and then.
New York 034 Excelsior 034 Button C1812 | eBay

 

[CRUSADER]

Backmark or not, I'm going with period on that one. Found plenty of 19th C buttons with a similar look.

 

[bonepicker]

Thanks for all of the responses. Still have a lot of questions. So Last night I spent a lot of time reading in the Cleaning & Preservation section on this forum. I decided to go with Buckleboys toothpicking method of using the flat edge of a toothpick to rub button. He says to use the flat edge of the toothpick like you would shade with a pencil or do a pencil rubbing. At first there were no results, but then after the patina started to wear away, I did notice a double ring start to appear where the back mark should be. However my results do not look like his results. So I decided to stop before I do more damage. Not sure if im screwin up or not, but the anticipation and not knowing if there was a backmark was killing me. I enclosed 2 additional photos. If you look at the top half you can see what appears to be the double ring starting to show some.

 

[bonepicker]

Backmark or not, I'm going with period on that one. Found plenty of 19th C buttons with a similar look.

Dang Cru, I saw your message right after I attempted to clean and posted my results. I might have just left it alone if I had read your message before attempting to clean...

 

[duggap]

In looking at the book a little closer, I can see that yours is number 9A. It states it is a plated button.http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...-eagle-excelsior-button-belt-plate-woods.html
Check out this thread.

 

[bonepicker]

In looking at the book a little closer, I can see that yours is number 9A. It states it is a plated button.http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...-eagle-excelsior-button-belt-plate-woods.html
Check out this thread.

Duggap, that looks like it to me. Thank you for your help.. New York Militia. c. 1800-15

 

[bonepicker]

New pics

I cleaned the front of the button with a little lemon juice and Q-tip for a couple minutes. It did come a little cleaner.
Then I took some pics with LED light, and then using irfanview, I altered the negatives. I must say the photos look better than the button.
I have always been a coin guy, but now im crazy about buttons.. Its like a whole new dimension just opened up right in front of me.. This site and the people here rock

 

[coinman123]

Awesome button, I'm guessing it could be war of 1812. It's funny, I was just a coinshooter when I started too, after I found my first colonial button I got equally excited with cool relics.

 

[CRUSADER]

Yes, its funny how that happens. I started collecting coins at 9 years old but after the age of 11 when I started detecting I soon became interested in buttons. If all those years agao someone said I would like buttons, I probably would have laughed at lot.

 

[BuckleBoy]

I have no doubt that this button is a genuine, early 1800s New York button. The button would clean up well with aluminum jelly and a q-tip (gently).

GREAT find!