Coin or button?

[sugarquartz]

Hi i found this on my last hunt out before the weekend. I was thinking it was a button because the obverse was slick out in the field. Just tonight i got a good look at what i rubbed off the other side of it. The front has what looks like a either suns or clocks around the outside, and what looks like a moon or woman in the center. Its pretty big too and looks like a coin but it could just be a dandy button.Has anyone ever seen anything like this before? The property dates back to the 1700s and is heavily used to this day. Its hard to see in the pics as its bent by the center but any further I D would be very great.
Thanks for looking, Sq

 

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[creskol]

When you enlarge the bottom photo, it appears as though there is some printing on it .. Can you check under a magnifier to see if that is the case, and if so, can you make any of the lettering out?

 

[joesmarbles]

Floral design on it .....Joe McDonough

 

[claypile]

I am guessing a button.

 

[rick67]

Don't see button, but possibly a token.

 

[Icewing]

Start with warm soapy water and someone else's toothbrush, then report back with pics of it a bit cleaner.

 

[RustyGold]

Start with warm soapy water and someone else's toothbrush, then report back with pics of it a bit cleaner.

Too funny Icewing

 

[sugarquartz]

Don't see button, but possibly a token.

I am going to clean it up a bit more after work and check back. Im thinking it may be a token too, on the obverse side it does have a small circle which looks like where a shank could have been so maybe a button too.

When you enlarge the bottom photo, it appears as though there is some printing on it .. Can you check under a magnifier to see if that is the case, and if so, can you make any of the lettering out?

Cant make out any lettering yet, i did look under a magnifier just couldn't make anything out its pretty slick on that side

Start with warm soapy water and someone else's toothbrush, then report back with pics of it a bit cleaner.

Hah that is a good one! il post a pic of it cleaned up in a bit.

 

[RustyGold]

Interesting find. I can't wait to see if it's a coin, button or token. Good luck!

 

[sugarquartz]

Ok so i got a few more clean up shots , it appears to be 6 sunburst designs stamped around an ornate wreath or vine in the center. The obverse side is blank or worn smooth, but you can see that the sunbursts were stamped after it was worn slick im guessing by the way they indent from the front. It also has a small circle dead center on the back maybe from a shank that had fallen off. Im thinking it was a button at first that was turned into a token or a keepsake, not really sure i hope got it clean enough for you guys to see.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

In my opinion, it is a Dandy button, from the latter-1700s, missing its thread-loop. The digger is on Long Island NY, so if it was found in that vicinity, the "location" is plenty old enough to produce a Dandy button.

 

[creskol]

Cant make out any lettering yet, i did look under a magnifier just couldn't make anything out its pretty slick on that side

Are you sure there is no lettering? My eyes are playing tricks on me again .. I would swear that the highlighted areas in the pic below are letters.

 

[Rogue Relic Hunter]

here is a really interesting site dealing with the history of buttons. having found a few lately, i have been interested. relic hunting leads you down roads you may never have take otherwise. never thought i'd interested in learning about buttons, but it helps you to accurately date a site by dating the relics. much easier with coins.

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/..._tour_of_button_design_through_the_ages_.html

 

[Rogue Relic Hunter]

Start with warm soapy water and someone else's toothbrush, then report back with pics of it a bit cleaner.

def use your wife's toothbrush when cleaning relics.

 

[sugarquartz]

In my opinion, it is a Dandy button, from the latter-1700s, missing its thread-loop. The digger is on Long Island NY, so if it was found in that vicinity, the "location" is plenty old enough to produce a Dandy button.

Thanks CannonballGuy, i am also leaning toward it being a dandy button missing the loop, you can see a small circle on the back right in the center where it looks like it was attached. Have you ever seen any with just one hole in the center? i found one a few months back thought it was unusual it had just one thread hole and no loop there. Your right about the "Location" too the whole area i hunt goes back to the mid 1600`s so the finds are always unique and interesting, Thanks for your input i greatly appreciate it!

Are you sure there is no lettering? My eyes are playing tricks on me again .. I would swear that the highlighted areas in the pic below are letters.

Im not sure of any lettering on the back i can see the small T in your picture , in natural light under a magnifier i still cant distinguish anything on the back other than a small circle in the center. Thanks for your interest/input!!

here is a really interesting site dealing with the history of buttons. having found a few lately, i have been interested. relic hunting leads you down roads you may never have take otherwise. never thought i'd interested in learning about buttons, but it helps you to accurately date a site by dating the relics. much easier with coins.

Button history: a visual tour of button design through the ages.

Thanks for the link Rogue il have to check it out. I never thought i would be interested in them either a few months back i was looking to purchase a few books on them i just might have to now as they are always stumping me. Your absolutely right when your not finding coins the buttons put an accurate date on the site. Thanks for the link!!

 

[DownNDirty]

Button for sure