Confederate Infantry Button

[miffdan]

I found this button in an unlikely place in Southeastern PA nowhere near Gettysburg or any of the other skirmish sites leading up to Gettysburg. It rang up as a penny and is made of brass. I almost threw it away but decided to keep it and post it on the Whatzit forum. I had two people confirm this to be a Confederate Infantry button. Anyone else want to weigh in?

 

[doc holiday]

Called the Block I button. It's real. Great find.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Glad that you kept it. It's in great shape. Congratulations! Best of luck and...

Happy Hunting!
Blind Squirrel

 

[bootyhoundpa]

Nice score... i have found a few eagle buttons and a 3 ring bullet also on the east side of pa..

 

[miffdan]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Not that I'd consider selling it, but what would the value be on something like this?

 

[wvrick]

Nice button!

 

[comisoas]

Potentially in the hundreds. Is there any writing on the back? aka: backmark. There are numerous varieties and makes which have an effect on the price. Look around the different Confederate button for sale sites. I would say over $200, but I am no expert. Someone out there probably has better info. It does not appear that it has a backmark, but if it does, that is very important info.

 

[miffdan]

No, unfortunately there are no markings on the back of the button. I have no idea where I can go to even get it appraised. Maybe I can send a few emails to places like the Gettysburg or Petersburg museums and see if they can comment on possible sites of manufacture and/or regiment.

 

[BootyHunter]

Well it is a Confederate Block I button, google that and you will get all kinds of info including the various places they were made. Very nice find! Just proves again, NEVER throw anything you find away until it's identified as junk for sure. I would hunt that spot again, you could have stumbled across a confederate camp.

 

[ncwayne]

Great button! Why you would almost throw it away? What have you thrown away?

 

[Showtime2385]

Very cool find

 

[jfready35]

Great find

 

[knack4iron]

Often brought back as souvenirs from the war..

 

[miffdan]

Thank you to all to helped me with this. I was in contact with an expert appraiser in Virginia who was recommended by someone at the Petersburg National Battlefield. He confirmed what you all had been telling me. It is a button of local manufacture produced during the war (which explains the lack of a hallmark on the back). The estimated value is $125. This is now my most valuable find to date.

 

[mander154]

Block I infantry button. Neat find!
~Amanda

 

[mrhvmd]

Ok, I kept this crap and you were going to throw that away!!! I want to detect your trash.

Cool find!!!