Is this what i think it is?

[beepbeepin]

It's a cold rainy day today, so I went through some if my goodies that I just throw in a box for days like this. And I see parts of an eagle on this button. is this a G.W. inaugural button??
I know there's not much detail left but maybe someone can tell if it is

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

Yes, it looks like a George Washington Inaugural button -- specifically, either WI-12B or 12D in the button-book by Alphaeus H. Albert. Both of those measure 35mm. I lean to yours being 12D, which has smaller "dots" around its rim than 12B.

 

[osage express]

It may be.I had a look see at some others and it looks that way to me.We can hope ...Osage

 

[beepbeepin]

Thank you guys. And it does measure 35mm. Do you think it's worth anything in its condition?

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

About your corroded dug George Washington Inauguration button's dollar-value:
The general rule-of-thumb in the relic collecting market is, if a relic is incomplete (missing a part), OR is complete-but-damaged, OR has "significant" corrosion, its dollar-value is 50% less.

Speaking as both a longtime relic-digger and relic-dealer, I can testify that the reason for that rule-of-thumb 50% off is, most collectors would prefer to pay twice the price of a damaged-or-incomplete-or-rough specimen to get a "nice-condition" one.

For example, at a civil war relic-show, if you put a "nice-condition" Oval US buckle priced at $200 next to a "rough-condition" one at $100, you'll probably sell the nice one at that show, and you'll probably still have the cheaper-priced rough one sitting on your table three relic-shows later.

I should also mention:
Contrary to popular belief, a relic's dollar-value in NOT set by the relic dealers. In actuality, the value is set by the customers. A dealer can put whatever value he likes on the price tag -- but if the customers don't agree with his appraisal of it, that relic will still be sitting on his relic-show table (or website) a year later.

In reality, it's the customers who tell the dealers what a relic is worth, not the other way around.

You asked:
> Do you think it's worth anything in its condition?

The best way to get an accurate idea of a relic's dollar-value is to check Ebay's "Completed Transactions" statistics for that particular kind of relic (and its condition). The asking price you see on the internet means almost nothing. It's what that type of relic has "consistently" sold for that matters.

 

[Iron Patch]

Thank you guys. And it does measure 35mm. Do you think it's worth anything in its condition?

Yes, any identifiable GW button has value, but in that condition you're looking at a very small fraction of what a good one would bring. I've seen dug ones that weren't great, but had fairly clear detail get maybe $300-$400. That one I'm thinking maybe $100, but could do a little better. It's always sad when a great button is dug in very poor condition, but I've been there before, and you just hope the next comes out shining.

PS: I would definitely not sell it for the little it would bring.

 

[beepbeepin]

Thanks again guys. all very helpful information

 

[beepbeepin]

Yes, any identifiable GW button has value, but in that condition you're looking at a very small fraction of what a good one would Bring. I've seen dug ones that weren't great, but had fairly clear detail get maybe $300-$400. That one I'm thinking maybe $100, but could do a little better. It's always sad when a great button is dug in very poor condition, but I've been there before, and you just hope the next comes out shining.

PS: I would definitely not sell it for the little it would bring.

Definitely not going to sell . Another piece to the button collection. And it's the best one in it.

 

[CASPER-2]