Interesting button find "G. IV", "THE KINGS"- need some id help

[ericthedigger]

Interesting button find "G. IV", "THE KING'S"- need some id help

I found this button in Essex County, Massachusetts last week in an area where I have found coins dating as far back as 1803. I thought the back was just plain until I took a second look yesterday and realized there was writing. I’ve been searching through a mountain of buttons from the same time period but cannot find anything similar. It reads, “ G. IV” along the top- interrupted by a crown symbol, and “ THE KING'S” along the bottom. Since George IV only reigned from 1820-1830, I’m assuming it falls within that range. Can anyone tell me more about this button? I’d love to know what kind of button this was and who it was typically worn by. Does the design on the front mean anything? Any help would be much appreciated!

 

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[Iron Patch]

Yep, think you have it. King George IV, front doesn't mean anything, but the back probably serves as being a patriotic piece, much the same as something like a Jackson backmark.... just on a much lower level of interest of course. The American ones probably lean more as political types, than patriotic, as they seemed to have been issued right around the elections. The George IV I'm not so sure would be the case, so think more of it as patriotic.

 

[CRUSADER]

We need better picture of front & back but I'm leaning towards the Kings Regiment (Liverpool).

 

[CASPER-2]

ive been told for years that those wave pattern ones are patriotic - seen them on sites as that and for sale as that
and from other TH'ers as that - don't know for sure - but mine is in a display with other good buttons

 

[ericthedigger]

Thanks everybody for the info! I'd love to see if anyone finds another..... let me know!

 

[GoldingDeus]

Hi, just to let you know I have found the same button. ��

 

[trapperart]

Congrats

 

[CRUSADER]

Hi, just to let you know I have found the same button. ��View attachment 1321030View attachment 1321031

Welcome to Tnet & thanks for bumping this old post.

I never mentioned, its one I've not had or seen.

 

[ericthedigger]

That's great! Where did you find it!? I've rechecked the area I found mine in many times over but nothing new.

 

[Student of History]

Possible I.D. for Ericthedigger

I know this is an older post, but I found an identical as the two shown on this thread. the one I have is a non-dug button, I got it along with a lot of flat buttons i bought at a local flea market in New Hampshire. I am doing a long term study identifying one-piece merchant marked flat buttons so I decided to research this one as well. I believe I have an I.d. for Ericthedigger from Mass.

I believe that this button which is a one piece of waistcoat size was commissioned as a commemorative button by members o f the 51st Regiment "King's Own" Yorkshire Light Infantry. When I researched this button i found several Regiments which bore the "King's Own" designation, but only one of them was awarded that title by King George IV. He was a patron of the 51st, and conferred the honor upon the Regiment shortly before it was shipped out for overseas duty for the following 38 years.

Reference: 51st (Second West Yorkshire) The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Regiment, Nickname: KOYLI
On 11 Feb 1821, King George IV Conferred the Honor and title of “King’s Own” upon the 51st Light Infantry Regiment. Ref: Services of the Fifty-First (Second West York), “The King’s Own Light Infantry” Regiment, by W. Wheater, London, 1870, pub: Longman’s, green & Co.

The wavy lines on the front may be meaningless but I do know that in heraldic terms wavy lines signify Water or the Sea, and linking that with the fact that the Regiment shipped out shortly after gaining the title of "King's Own" , it may be a allusion to duty Overseas. The buttons were probably offered to interested members of the regiment to wear on thier undress, Civilian Waistcoats.

The buttons found in the United States were probably carried over by English immigrants.

If you ever need an I.d. of a flat button that has the name of a merchant or outfitter on it, I will be glad to I.d. it as I am actively looking for new backmarks to document.

Bob

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Sweet relic recovery, congratulations!

 

[Student of History]

Thanks for the kind words Professor,

I too am in Massachusetts, I live in the town of Shirley.
Lots of great old items come out of the ground here and in the nearby towns.

Bob

 

[FoxHound0985]

I have found several of the wave pattern buttons at one of my sites, but with a different back mark. Mine have a crown over "TREBLE LONDON". I always wondered if they were something special. I have found a different style button with the "G (crown) IV" over "The King's" backmark. It has a spiral pattern on the front. Any ideas on that one?

 

[CRUSADER]

I have found several of the wave pattern buttons at one of my sites, but with a different back mark. Mine have a crown over "TREBLE LONDON". I always wondered if they were something special. I have found a different style button with the "G (crown) IV" over "The King's" backmark. It has a spiral pattern on the front. Any ideas on that one?

It's interesting to know they didn't just do the wavy pattern with this backmark, but these were clearly made for a civilian use with reference to their Military career. So some kind of event/commemoration/celebration makes the most sense.

 

[against the wind]

Very informative post,, thank you