What is the Value of these Buttons? (1850-1882)

[Bigcypresshunter]

I purchased 10 beautiful buttons from eBay for $9.99. I was the only bidder. I feel almost as excited as if I actually found them. Well almost lol. I believe 8 of the 10 are rare CW era gold plated Federal Navy officer.

Can anyone confirm that these mercury guilded buttons are CW era? It may be Albert NA112, Tice NA227A2.

The backmarks on these 4 are identical THOMAS N. DALE & CO. / NEW-YORK

I found several listings http://relicman.com/buttons/zBackmarkDale.htm but I cannot find a sale or value anywhere. "Federal Navy button, eagle over horizontal anchor, fluke is behind the wing,..." I hope someone can help.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

There are 2 types listed by relicman. Im going to need a metric ruler or caliper to measure. They are slightly larger than a US nickle. There is not a period folowing NEW - YORK and I looked very closely.

What is dm? depressed mark?

I hope they are worth more than a few bucks. The gold guilding looks purdy and the buttons have beautiful detail.

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

Looks to be Tice's NA 227 {Albert's NA 112}

Navy; convex, two-piece.

No value given, and I think it is a fairly common backmark or it would be noted.

I think you did great for $9!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

Looks to be Tice's NA 227 {Albert's NA 112}

Navy; convex, two-piece.

No value given, and I think it is a fairly common backmark or it would be noted.

I think you did great for $9!

OK thanks. Are they Civil War? I dont have the books. I was hoping these are rare because I could only find 2 examples on the internet.

What does Dale04 Tice page 120 refer too? I dont understand this phrase "there is a not period following NEW YORK" What is a "not period?" http://www.relicman.com/buttons/zArchiveButtonFederalNavy2pc1840HorizontalAnchor.htm

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

Is anyone a member of WorthPoint? Here is a sale I just found online. http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/dug-heavy-gold-navy-civil-war-coat-button

 

[ivan salis]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

not a peroid = no dot --- . --- see the "dot" theres no "dot" after "new york"-- ie -- new york not new york.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

Ah OK. You are correct Ivan. I see the Calvary buttons have dots after New York.

Im still looking for value.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

According to the McGuinn-&-Bazelon "encyclopedia" of button backmarks and their dates:
The firm of Thomas N. Dale & Co. was a merchant & importer of buttons -- not a button manufacturer. Dale's firm was in business until at least 1882.

Most civil war button-collectors will only buy buttons which are strictly pre-1866. Although a few specimens of Dale-backmark buttons have been found at civil war sites, the Dale backmark is also on some buttons which are strictly post-1865 era. Therefore, unfortunately, there is no way for a collector to know for certain whether your Dale-backmark US Navy buttons were made before 1866, or sometime between 1866 -1882. The worrisome uncertainty about their year-of-manufacture is probably why you were the only person who put in a bid for them in that Ebay auction.

All of that having been said... the market value of ANY gold-gilted pre-1900 US Military button is typically at least $3. But they tend to be "slow sellers," because very few people collect US Indian Wars era (late-1860s-to-1890s)buttons. If I owned your group of 8 gold-gilted maybe-postwar US navy buttons, I'd put them out at a yard sale priced at $25 for the group ...which is still double what you paid for them, counting the postage.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

The worrisome uncertainty about their year-of-manufacture is probably why you were the only person who put in a bid for them in that Ebay auction.

I should have told you earlier, the main reason I was the only bidder is because it was listed underWWII militaria and he stated that he wasnt sure they were military. Besides that he mispelled the backmark in the listing. The word CW or Navy never appeared anywhere.

I will think about what you said, research some more and respond later. Thank you much I appreciate any help.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

I received the 4 Dale buttons, 4 ELE London buttons, 1 SJ &Co and 1 tinback. All US Navy eagles. Im posting them on another thread for ID.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

I didnt realize there was any doubt as to CW era. CBG what does it say in your books for this button? Flute behind wing and no dot after NY. Thanks for the help I appreciate it.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

Looks to be Tice's NA 227 {Albert's NA 112}

Navy; convex, two-piece.

No value given, and I think it is a fairly common backmark or it would be noted.

I think you did great for $9!

Does it give a date range?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is the Value of these CW buttons?

Most civil war button-collectors will only buy buttons which are strictly pre-1866. Although a few specimens of Dale-backmark buttons have been found at civil war sites, the Dale backmark is also on some buttons which are strictly post-1865 era. Therefore, unfortunately, there is no way for a collector to know for certain whether your Dale-backmark US Navy buttons were made before 1866, or sometime between 1866 -1882.

Do many US Navy buttons show up at CW sites? Although the Dale firm was in business til 1882, I notice this Dale backmark is listed as 1860 on Calvary buttons but they have a dot after New York. My button variant has no dot.

This Dale Navy eagle seems to be listed on the Ridgeway site as 1860 and transitional after the war but it also has anchor flute behind wing which I believe is not an Indian War feature. I dont have the books I am curious to see what its listed as in Alberts or Tice. Thanks. This is getting a bit confusing but Im hanging in..

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

So far the research points to 1850-1882 with no known sale price or value to make an accurate appraisal.. The gold guilted button depicts eagle over horizontal anchor surrounded by 13 stars, flute behind the wing pattern prevalent from the 1850's onward, generally intended for USNavy officers. If they are post CW transitional period, the value is minimal, as CBG mentioned but still worth what I paid. Im still hoping and trying to find a way to further pin down the dateline.