WAR OF 1812 BUTTON CACHE

[grasshopper]

So yesterday I went back to the 1780's house where I have made many discoveries over the past few years. I've pulled large cents, IH's, seated and spanish silver out of this site, including much more.

I was going over an area in the front lawn where I'm pretty sure I've covered before, and I got a penny-type signal on my XLT. I dug and at 4 or so inches was suprised to see a silver glimmer. I pulled it out gently, and noticed it was an old button. I went inside to clean it off and show the owner...I knew it was something pretty rare!! At this point I'm shaking...rescanned the hole and received another similar signal. Thought holy crap another one!! I had it pinpointed and carefully dug around the signal as to not damage it. I got it out of the plug and to my amazement i see a huge clump of these buttons next to the hole!!!

There ended up being a total of SIXTEEN of these buttons. Most were attached by a string, like someone carried them around as replacements. This string fell apart upon cleaning. I've lightly brushed these whith soap and water, and about 6 or 7 seem to be in beautiful condition. The others have some green corossion. They are all identical, shank is still on each one.

They read: REGIMENT OF INFANTRY around the edge. 21 Rt. underneath the eagle.
Back reads: GILES RICHARDS BOSTON with a small eagle.

Based on my research, these are definitely from the war of 1812, and this regiment was involved in my area (Lake Champlain).

Talk about the find of a lifetime....any info on rartiy/history/value would be much appreciated!!

 

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[umrgolf]

When I first read this I thought it was a joke My old hunting partner found an almost identical cache with the buttons still on the string.. Great find, you topped my entire 1812 total in one hole Whether you decide to sell or hold on to those guys, I think you'll be happy .. btw, banner

 

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[Iron Patch]

BTW... minty 1812 officer buttons like that, depending on what they are, can fetch somehwere in the few hundred dollar range. So even if it was $250 each that's a good score. Will be interesting to see if you can find some sales to get some type of reference.

So might be $4000 on a good day

I think they should stay together

It's very hard to say with 1812. On average that period gets much less than what CW and Rev (American & Loyalist) do, but if they are on the scarce side, and given the condition, they might have some real good $$$ value. The problem is the guys with the very deep pockets seem to go after CW, Rev, & GW buttons. I am definitely not trying to down play it, it's a big score no matter what.

 

[colorado14ers]

epic!!!! and B.A.N.N.E.R vote from me

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

My gosh grasshopper, that is just an incredible find . . . a big congratulations to you!
You've got my vote for BANNER!

 

[Marc]

Amazingly similar to an earlier banner find....

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,264893.html

 

[juju]

You got my banner vote. I am still amazed at their condition.

JuJu

 

[Argentium]

Great find ! In the high grade condition they are in - and considering the age , probably
very desirable to collectors of early American militaria ! $$$$$$$$$ Argentium.

 

[Iron Patch]

Great find ! In the high grade condition they are in - and considering the age , probably
very desirable to collectors of early American militaria ! $$$$$$$$$ Argentium.

A few years back I seen a non dug 1812 collection run through Ebay and some got as high as $500 and change. The ones posted here are technically dug (which collectors like) but aren't very far off non dug condition. In fact, I have seen 1812 dug buttons that were nicer than non dug!

 

[ColonialDude]

Wow!! Now that is my kind of cache!!!

Congrats on an amazing and once in a lifetime find!!! Those buttons are fantastic! It's nice enough digging 1 good example of an officers button with most of the original gilt...I can't imagine digging a string of em'! I would be all over that site!!

My vote is in for banner, although I think you won't require it!

On a sidenote, the link posted in this thread with the other string of 1812 buttons is amazing too! WOW! Not sure how I missed that one!

 

[njnydigger]

What a cache!!! I'll take yours over a cache of coins or gold ANYDAY

Just think who held them last? What purpose they served? Why they were found in that spot?

That's why I'm in this hobby...the HISTORY!!!

Now comes the fun part. Trying to I.D. what they are specifically and where they might have originated from.

Putting a value on a find like that would be like putting a value on one of your children. I'd say as a whole mid five figures easy. However, tough to give up a once-in-a-lifetime find like that

P.S. - What time are we meeting up in the morning for our hunt? BANNER!!!

 

[{Sentinel}]

Very Impressive find! And you won't have any trouble getting a few hundred dollars a piece for each of those buttons in my opinion! They are in spectacular condition and

I don't know about other regions, but here in Virginia, those period buttons are very collectable In fact, I've dug quite a few War of 1812 era buttons

throughout the years here in Virginia and I've never come across this particular type. This is a terrific and beautiful find and definitely deserves a Banner vote from me!!!! CONGRATS

 

[m bryan]

Awesome! Banner!

 

[CRUSADER]

Amazingly similar to an earlier banner find....

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,264893.html

thanks Marc, that was the one I was thinking about

 

[YankeeDownSouthAdv.]

Great find!!!!

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

When I first read this I thought it was a joke My old hunting partner found an almost identical cache with the buttons still on the string.. Great find, you topped my entire 1812 total in one hole Whether you decide to sell or hold on to those guys, I think you'll be happy .. btw, banner

Thank you, i thought I was having serious deja vu, I knew I had seen a similar photo.
Sweet, sweet, find.
Carl

 

[bsloan]

Don't know if you will ever find another piece of history like that again. My heart would have stopped if I found those. It almost did just looking at the pictures.
CONGRATS and BANNER!!

 

[texan connection]

this is going banner. Great find

 

[GopherDaGold]

I'm not even going to vote. It will have made it before I get the chance. Spectacular!

 

[pepperj]

Way to go on the buttons, Banner worthy for sure!

 

[detectahead]

WOW!