✅ SOLVED Old Button From Either 18th or 19th Century. May also be Gold Plated?

[M3Detectorist]

Hey all,

I found this button on an old farm site that was farmed in the 18th and 19th centuries. The button was reading about a copper/brass as well as gold on a Garrett AT Pro and steady on the gold reading on a Garrett GTI 2500 if that helps. In addition, I believe it is gold plated because the gold color that you see in the picture is even more vibrant in person and you can also see where it looks as though the gold has chipped away some. All I did to clean is mild soapy water. If anyone has any suggestions on how to clean better it would also be much appreciated. The button also measures 3/4 of an inch and is single looped. Pictures are posed below and if you have any questions feel free to ask!

Thanks for the help!

 

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[HutSiteDigger]

What you have is a two piece Civilian flower/decortion button dating too the mid too late 19th century. I notice you can somewhat see a back-mark on the back of the button if you ever get it cleaned up enough too read the manufactures name then you or someone else on here can pin-point the exact ID time frame for you give or take a few years. Pretty button too!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Read BuckleBoys thread on cleaning buttons with gold gilding. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/89045-how-clean-buttons.html

They used to mix mercury with gold at a 6-8 to one ratio and actually brush it on. I believe this is a gold gilded button from that process. The use of mercury in guilding is now outlawed.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

I use ammonia with soap in it (you can buy ammonia with soap in it) then gently brush the front of the button then repeat the process a few times over the next days depending on how bad the condition of the button is.. Never has let me down! I know BuckleBuys thread on cleaning is good advice!

 

[M3Detectorist]

What you have is a two piece Civilian flower/decortion button dating too the mid too late 19th century. I notice you can somewhat see a back-mark on the back of the button if you ever get it cleaned up enough too read the manufactures name then you or someone else on here can pin-point the exact ID time frame for you give or take a few years. Pretty button too!

There is a mark on the back but it is so corroded that I cannot read what it says. The only letter I can make out is 's' actually and I'm afraid if I try to remove the corrosion I will also remove the writing. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[CRUSADER]

There is a mark on the back but it is so corroded that I cannot read what it says. The only letter I can make out is 's' actually and I'm afraid if I try to remove the corrosion I will also remove the writing. Any suggestions anyone?

I wouldn't worry too much its a mid-late 19th C civilian button & the backmark might only narrow the date by 10 years.

 

[M3Detectorist]

This is my first button and i don't know too much about them. How rare is something like this being gold gilded and decorative from this time period?
Thanks!

 

[CRUSADER]

This is my first button and i don't know too much about them. How rare is something like this being gold gilded and decorative from this time period?
Thanks!

I can only talk about UK found buttons (which is where this was made); gilt buttons of this period are very common. There are so many types being produced it's hard to find 2 the same. Dad & I find an average of 2500 buttons a year & of that number about 200 are of this period/type.

 

[M3Detectorist]

I can only talk about UK found buttons (which is where this was made); gilt buttons of this period are very common. There are so many types being produced it's hard to find 2 the same. Dad & I find an average of 2500 buttons a year & of that number about 200 are of this period/type.

Thanks for the info! Hope to be able to start finding that many buttons too! haha

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks for the info! Hope to be able to start finding that many buttons too! haha

I know you were joking, & I realise these are much rarer in the US. So in terms of how rare in the US, you need a seasoned US Hunters opinion.

We live in a heavy clay area & they have been burning clothes on them to lighten the soil for 100+ years. Here was my best 1 day total, pretty mental really, bearing in might I didn't picture any junk that I dug, & there was lots!
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/212827-new-1-day-button-record.html

 

[DCMatt]

This is my first button and i don't know too much about them. How rare is something like this being gold gilded and decorative from this time period?
Thanks!

Gold gilt was not uncommon. It was a way for a gentleman to show his wealth and status. I would date your button to the 1820's - 40's. But, as Crusader said, what's a couple of decades among friends.

I'm curious to know the backmark.

DCMatt

 

[CRUSADER]

Gold gilt was not uncommon. It was a way for a gentleman to show his wealth and status. I would date your button to the 1820's - 40's. But, as Crusader said, what's a couple of decades among friends.

I'm curious to know the backmark.

DCMatt

In which case a cotton bud & pure lemon juice will help a little, but looking at it, I don't give it much hope.

Lets agree 1850s lol

 

[M3Detectorist]

Gold gilt was not uncommon. It was a way for a gentleman to show his wealth and status. I would date your button to the 1820's - 40's. But, as Crusader said, what's a couple of decades among friends.

I'm curious to know the backmark.

DCMatt

Know of anyway to take off the corrosion but leave the markings? They are extremely corroded...I read the link posted by Crusader but just looking for any other suggestions.
thanks

 

[M3Detectorist]

In which case a cotton bud & pure lemon juice will help a little, but looking at it, I don't give it much hope.

Lets agree 1850s lol

lemon juice huh? hmm i'll give it a try tonight and post a pic if it helps.
thanks!

 

[nhbenz]

Perhaps with additional photos we can piece together the backmark. In the photo with the ruler I think I see the letters "SUP..." But don't think it continues on to say "Superior" or "Superfine" (common marks), possibly "Supply". But I'll bet we could get it with the right lighting on the back. And, as you likely know, have your camera on macro (I'm guessing you did already).

 

[M3Detectorist]

Perhaps with additional photos we can piece together the backmark. In the photo with the ruler I think I see the letters "SUP..." But don't think it continues on to say "Superior" or "Superfine" (common marks), possibly "Supply". But I'll bet we could get it with the right lighting on the back. And, as you likely know, have your camera on macro (I'm guessing you did already).

sure, I will post some more tonight and see if I can borrow my brothers camera his is a little better than mine. I might then be able to get even closer on the macro mode. And I too can also kind of see the "SUP" now that you mention it. Good eye!

 

[kuger]

Yep,great info given.If you use lemon juice be sure to nuetralize it after your done,with baking soda and water.If you dont the acid will continue and you will see green coming through.Be careful,as some gilt wont take to even soft rubbing and will flake off.When done a slight covering of vaseline will make it shine!

 

[HutSiteDigger]

I have never thought in my life I would be into Civilian buttons but only Civil War buttons/military but when I started hunting in the Northern Neck of Virginia and digging piles of Civilian buttons around an old church years back I got hooked!

Here is a photo I posted on here a few weeks ago of Civilian buttons that I dug in and around a cellar hole of an old 19th century house in Essex,Virginia. In total I have collected/traded/dug over 1,500 civilian buttons way more buttons than civil war buttons and to be honest i'd rather dig a very pretty civilian button than a union civil war button (unless it is a state button).

Anyway this is how I clean them after I get back to the truck I brush the button using ammonia with soap in it (you can buy ammonia with the soap in it) and it works wonders for me it really will bring the gold out and clean the button up great.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Buckleboy suggests Aluminum Jelly or Naval Jelly

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Is this thread not Solved yet? what other more info do you need?