✅ SOLVED Pewter flat button or....something else?

[Underwonder]

Cheers!

This circular object rang up in the 11-13 range on the equinox and was about 6 inches deep on an old farm in RI. It came out of the soil easily cleaned off with my fingers, is non-ferrous, and has some sort of center attachment on one side but cannot tell if it was a button shank or not. It broke in the hole [emoji45]. I am not positive what kind of metal this is or what it might be if not a button. I always appreciate your input. Thanks!...and Happy New Year!

 

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[Fourman110]

Tombac button isn’t it?

 

[ARC]

Tombac button isn’t it?

Correct. IMO

 

[fyrffytr1]

I agree with the tombac assessment. Below is a definition from Wikipedia. Pewter would most likely be flaking after being in the ground for a long period of time.
Tombac, as it is spelled in French, or tombak, is a brass alloy with high copper content and 5–20% zinc content.[SUP][1][/SUP] Tin, lead or arsenic may be added for colouration.[SUP][2][/SUP][SUP][3][/SUP] It is a cheap malleable alloy mainly used for medals, ornament, decoration and some munitions. In older use, the term may apply to brass alloy with a zinc content as high as 28–35%.[

 

[Underwonder]

Thanks to each of you! I’ve seen many posts of others finding tombac buttons. I am happy to have found one and was surprised at the metal composition and how it looked right out of the dirt. (Thanks, Fyrffytr1 also for info.!) It’s being glued now to try to make it whole...Very happy with it...

 

[smokeythecat]

it's about Revolutionary War period.

 

[Underwonder]

it's about Revolutionary War period.

Thanks, Smokeythecat! I REALLY wish I hadn’t cracked it on the dig...I always enjoy your posts.

Here are the other buttons from this site over the years..I always figured early to late 1800s.