Button Help

[Neil in West Jersey]

[attachment 31342 2006_0728Image0006.JPG]
found two like it. Plain front. So Plain I thought the first one was the snap frma tent and threw it away. It says "PLATED WN", and has stars around the inside.

 

[ThatCannonballGuy]

It's a 1790-1830s civilian coat-button. Prior to the 1820s most of these that are found in US sites were made in England and imported - because until then the American button-makers didn't have the equipment and skill-level needed to manufacture them. We relic hunters commonly call the plain-faced ones (like yours) simply a "flat-button."

The backmark saying "plated" means this brass button was made with silverplate on its face. Buttons with gold say "gilt." The WN might refer to the manufacturer.

Regards,
TheCannonballGuy (PCGeorge)

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

Went Back to the celler hole and found the one with the word "gilt" on the reverse. It seems much older because of the type of lettering. Maybe prior to 1780's? I will try to post a pic tonight, although I am not sure if it will be visible.