✅ SOLVED Military Button

[Bass]

I found this button in Louisiana and was wondering if someone could tell me more about it. It says US on the front and at the bottom there are arrows forming an oval shape. On the back it says UNITED STATES circling the stem (the stem is intact). It is roughly the size if a half dime.

 

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[smokeythecat]

I'd have to look it up but very early 19th century.

 

[duggap]

It is US Army. I believe they came about in around 1828. Darn nice find.

 

[kuger]

Great Coat button,nice!!

 

[Bass]

Anyone have an idea what it might be worth if i decided to sell it? Also if or how to clean it up?

 

[kuger]

Look in the preservation section for a thread by Buckleboy....best instructions for cleaning ever put on paper...as for value,search "Great Coat Button",on google,or even E-Bay you can get an idea,or contact Cannonballguy on here who can tell you everything you want to know

 

[Bass]

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Specifically, it is a US Army "greatcoat" button, manufactured between 1820 and 1839. For additional info and photos of the five known varieties (listed as buttons #GI-70A, 70B, 71, 71Bv, and 72), see pages 34-35 in the button-book by Alphaeus H. Albert. Your button appears to be the GI-70A version.

Kuger is correct, websearching is the best way to ascertain your excavated button's current retail dollar-value in today's relic market. In doing so, please keep in mind that the value of excavated ones and non-excavated ones is not the same. Also, I guarantee you that will find a rather wide price-range, because anybody can put whatever asking-price they want to on their website -- which often will have no connection at all to "reality" value in the market. A more accurate appraisal of dollar-value comes from "watching" the auctions on Ebay to see what the item actually winds up selling for, in several auctions, not just one or two.

 

[Bass]

Kuger, you are "the man" thanks for your knowledge

 

[kuger]

Kuger, you are "the man" thanks for your knowledge

...CBG,is the man.......

 

[Bass]

Sorry kuger. Yep i meant cannonballguy is the man

 

[BuckleBoy]

You got a correct ID up there in the post. Nice find!

 

[CC Hunter]

Cannonball Guy and Kuger have provided factual identification and information on this button.

Over the years, my father and I have found a few of these "U.S. Greatcoat" buttons in sites dating from the 1830's in the East through 1850's in the West. Additionally, I have seen quite a number of these buttons found by others as well. However, this is the first one I have ever seen, where the strike is so far off center, that the eagle, lettering, and wreath, nearly touch the rim on one side. This is actually an "error" button and one that I would think should not have passed a rigid quality control inspection. While error relics will doubtfully ever have the interest and value of such errors as collectible coins, this is a conversation piece and oddity nonetheless.

CC Hunter