General Service Button

Oct 1, 2018
429
662
Western PA, Northern NJ
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Max
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I'm pretty sure this is a Civil War federal general service button. If that's the case, this is my first Civil War artifact, and I found it in North Jersey. I do want a second opinion, though, as buttons aren't really my area of expertise.
2019-07-03 21.59.40.jpg2019-07-03 21.59.05.jpg2019-07-03 21.58.41.jpg
Edit: I realised that the upper left image makes it look like a flat button, but it is concave.
 

I think that button pre dates the civil war by about 40-50 years. I can't tell for sure but there may be a "I" in the shield which would date it post 1820. If there is no "I" then it would date before 1820. Another factor leading to a pre 1820 date is the raised letter backmark. I can make out Superfine but the second word is not legible.
 

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I think that button pre dates the civil war by about 40-50 years. I can't tell for sure but there may be a "I" in the shield which would date it post 1820. If there is no "I" then it would date before 1820. Another factor leading to a pre 1820 date is the raised letter backmark. I can make out Superfine but the second word is not legible.
I don't see a distinct I. The backmark is, I think, "Superior Colour". Is there a good way to clean it to potentially make the I more visible if it even exists.
 

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You may lose more detail if you clean the front. I see "superfine", not "superior". Superfine Colour is a generic or trademark backmark and the maker has not been determined. This is according to the Relicman's website. I still think your button dates to around 1820 give or take a few years.

Button backmarks, "Superior Quality".
 

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