The gift that keeps on giving: GW Button!

MawkusD

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Feb 16, 2014
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🥇 Banner finds
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You make a good point Consider this, though rare is a term that may raise controversy; scarce may better describe these buttons I guess the point I was trying to make is that whether they are rare or scarce is that they do show up regularly and get posted regularly on this forum and are no doubt found by others who participate on other forums or not at all on any forum, but are found There seems to be plenty showing their faces is all I'm saying, question remains, do they all deserve to be a banner on this forum? Good finds they are, I guess every individual can decide whether they are or not I was just opening up a debate on this and thought that this and other finds are instantly bandwagoned as banners whenever they are posted
Agree with everything you're saying bud and knew exactly what you meant. Hell I think there's a guy in here who's found 11 GWs. Part of the problem is that this Banner is so subjective. Some think regular old gold rings and Spanish silver should be up there. I personally would like to see it be reserved for the absolute rare of the rare no doubt finds. But that's just me. It seems like there's 3 or 4 new banners a day lately. To each there own. Hope alls well my friend
 

I see many George Washington inaugural buttons posted on this forum, of several designs and varying degrees of patination and corrosion; and some always say that they deserve a banner nod, I suppose my question is, why do all GW buttons deserve a banner nomination?
Granted, many of the best ones should have that consideration, but not all. As far as rarity goes , with as many as I see posted, they are not that rare, at least anymore, there have been literally dozens posted over the past couple of years, to me , they aren't rare; but I don't wish to take anything away from this find
So, to the OP, that is a great find and wish you much success on your future hunts and I sincerely hope the really rare one comes your way

Since there are 26 varieties of this button, "dozens" of finds would still only average out to 1 or 2 of each button being found. Sorry, but that's RARE in my book.

Yes, some of these buttons do seem to be more common than others. But I'll bet there's been fewer than 10 of any particular GW button posted here over the last couple of years. Again, that's RARE in my book.
 

Many hunters consider the GWI's to be the king of button finds. I'm still looking and ever hopeful of finding my first one - heck, a lot of people are looking for their first GWI. On the banner discussion, I guess that it mostly comes down to the votes cast by the membership.

MawkusD - Can you post a view of the button's back side? Does it have an intact shank?

Regardless - That's a terrific find with so much history! Congrats! :occasion14:
 

Actually i have seen a find get a hundred votes and not make banner:icon_scratch:

Which would make you think it is somewhat like politics..In the end your vote does not count..

Like an 1877 IH cent or 1916 wheatie..Sure its a great find,but cannot be compared to a GW button in any way,shape or form..

Blaze
 

incredible find. these are very rare. very historical. and have a substantial monetary value. it is 200+ years old and commemorates the FIRST president of the United States of America.

as far an nomination for banner; this is banner material. there seems to be controversy over banner nomination. some very historical, rare and valuable items don't make it. yet some items that have minimal value and are 'modern', and do not 'tell a story' make the list. One can look up at the current banner and see something on there that never should have made it.

but this button is most assuredly a deserving banner item. My vote is in. if this is not banner; then the whole 'banner' should go away.

congratulations on a very historical relic. and it is excellent condition. if it has the shank then that makes it more incredible.
 

Great Find, no doubt about that. While on the discussion of Banner, where does one look up the Criteria for a Banner Find? Seems to me lately, there should be some guidelines posted somewhere for people to familiarize theirselves with. Rarity, Worth, and degree of difficulty should be among those guidelines.
 

I know quite a few diggers around here and they all have the same bucket list:

1) 1652 Pine tree shilling (or the others, oak and willow tree shillings).

2) GW Inaugural button.

3) Any gold coin.

That's why this button should always be a banner find. There are so many diggers out there who would give anything to find one in ANY condition.

And it's a lot more than just a button. It's part of U.S. history and a direct link to our first president and the early days of the United State of America.
 

Great Find, no doubt about that. While on the discussion of Banner, where does one look up the Criteria for a Banner Find? Seems to me lately, there should be some guidelines posted somewhere for people to familiarize theirselves with. Rarity, Worth, and degree of difficulty should be among those guidelines.

Here are the guidlines for banner find criteria:

Rule #1 - Do not question what the banner criteria is
Rule #2 - When in doubt refer to rule #1
 

Here are the guidlines for banner find criteria:

Rule #1 - Do not question what the banner criteria is
Rule #2 - When in doubt refer to rule #1

Don't forget the apple and wipe that brown stuff off your nose....

Rule #3...Question Everything.....

Blaze
 

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Great looking GW Button. Like some others, I am curious as to what state it was found in and what the back looks like. There is a definite scatter pattern as to where these turn up, and from what I see posted, it is concentrated along the eastern seaboard from New England to Virginia. I have never seen one found as far inland as Western PA where I usually hunt, although I think I recall 1 or 2 found in Kentucky.
 

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Great looking GW Button. Like some others, I am curious as to what state it was found in and what the back looks like. There is a definite scatter pattern as to where these turn up, and from what I see posted, it is concentrated along the eastern seaboard from New England to Virginia. I have never seen one found as far inland as Western PA where I usually hunt.

Exactly why i asked Stevie boy i am also trying to figure out why so many were found in New England:thumbsup:

Ahhh just another exciting part of this hobby:icon_study:


Blaze
 

JB, Connecticut seems to be the epicenter for GW inaugurals. Maybe no coincidence that Connecticut was a button making hub, although I'm not sure how many firms were making buttons at the time of GW's inauguration. I can't recall reading where these buttons were manufactured, or if their source was ever determined.
 

It is an interesting question for sure..Many theories could be presented also i guess.
I figure down south more they really didn't have the need to promote Ole George..It was a given...

Blaze
 

Great looking GW Button. Like some others, I am curious as to what state it was found in and what the back looks like.

I read some of his posts and Nashville, TN was mentioned, so maybe that's where it was found.
 

Congratulations... that's everyone's dream find. It's in very nice shape as well... great recovery!
 

Nice digs . Thanks for the pics
 

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