Lead Wax Seal or button

[BobinSouthVA]

I think this is a wax seal, I see designs on the front but can't make any sense of it. Maybe a church?
I'm also not sure I have it oriented right, with the front like it is the bar on the backside is horizontal.

it is about the size of a nickel

Thanks for looking

 

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[jefg231]

Re: Lead Wax Seal?

Yes..."bail seal"
Nice find

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Re: Lead Wax Seal?

Yes..."bail seal"
Nice find

Thanks. did you mean bale seal?

and I think I have it oriented wrong, turning it this way I see a symetrical design.

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Lead Wax Seal? solved: Bale Seal

Its actually a 18th C pewter button.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Re: Lead Wax Seal? solved: Bale Seal

Its actually a 18th C pewter button.

Yup could do with a clean.

SS

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Re: Lead Wax Seal? solved: Bale Seal

Its actually a 18th C pewter button.

Yup could do with a clean.

SS

Any suggestions on how to clean it? I've tried water and a toothbrush but the dirt won't budge

 

[Silver Searcher]

Re: Lead Wax Seal? solved: Bale Seal

Its actually a 18th C pewter button.

Yup could do with a clean.

SS

Any suggestions on how to clean it? I've tried water and a toothbrush but the dirt won't budge

It won't take electrolysis, I would use a tooth pick, and gently work away at it, looks like they could be a design or at least more detail hiding there

SS

 

[Iron Patch]

Re: Lead Wax Seal? solved: Bale Seal

Looks like it could be a Masonic button. Here's a ring to give you an idea of what I mean. I don't see much point in trying to clean it.

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Re: Lead Wax Seal? solved: Bale Seal

Its actually a 18th C pewter button.

Pewter? I'm not sure it is, none of the other pewter buttons i've found have decayed like edges of this one have. Do they?

 

[Iron Patch]

Re: Lead Wax Seal? solved: Bale Seal

Its actually a 18th C pewter button.

Pewter? I'm not sure it is, none of the other pewter buttons i've found have decayed like edges of this one have. Do they?

Then you've been lucky, or your other buttons are lead.

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Lead Wax Seal? solved: Bale Seal

Its actually a 18th C pewter button.

Pewter? I'm not sure it is, none of the other pewter buttons i've found have decayed like edges of this one have. Do they?

yes, that's what pewter looks like, maybe you are thinking tombac is pewter

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Re: Lead Wax Seal? solved: Bale Seal

Its actually a 18th C pewter button.

Pewter? I'm not sure it is, none of the other pewter buttons i've found have decayed like edges of this one have. Do they?

yes, that's what pewter looks like, maybe you are thinking tombac is pewter

Could be, I'll post a pic of the button I found a few years ago I thought was pewter when the better half gets up and I can get on the PC.

 

[BobinSouthVA]

here is the button found a few years ago I thought was pewter, is it lead?

 

[CRUSADER]

here is the button found a few years ago I thought was pewter, is it lead?

No, but its a nice button, I like finding these. It 17th C (100%) & is a type of Tombac (these are often associated with our Civil War, because the everyday soldier had no uniform at the time)