Explorer II Snags A Nice Pre-Civil War Naval Button

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

I took the Explorer II out today to a field I've hunted many times. It has turned up numerous Civil War bullets, buttons, a few nice silver coins, and even some Colonial flat buttons in the past. Lately it hasn't turned up much. I've been hunting it on and off for about 5 years.

Today I had the stock coil on, sweeping slow and methodical, running sensitivity at 28, IM -16. I was in digital and got a nice solid higher tone that read 03-27. I was thinking possible silver dime, maybe an Indian Head. It was deep...about 10 inches.
The backmark is "William Wallis Extra Fine No. 1". I haven't been able to find the exact button online anywhere but the British company made buttons from about 1797 to 1828 (or 1780 to 1830), depending on the source. Any additional info appreciated!

Here are a few pics of it, first the way I found it and then washed off a little to show some of the gold gilding. (Barber quarter shown for size comparison)

 

[ksdigger]

Pg.99 At the top of page, they have it numbered as 86A "William/Wallis/No 1/Extra Fine" rm; 23mm . It also shows it has a Relative Value of 10! Super nice button Mike. I sure won't find any buttons like that here in Kansas but I can sure dream of one!!!

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Thanks Digger. I've never seen the Alberts book you mention. What does "Relative value of 10" mean? What is the approximate value of this button?

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Have you done any further cleaning on your button? It looks like a good candidate for aluminum jelly treatment. Please post another pic after you finish the cleaning process. HH .... Bill

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Where do you get the aluminum jelly? Is that better than olive oil? The only thing I did so far was to gently wash it with some warm water and dishwashing liquid. I was planning to use some olive oil on it but am interested in the jelly thing.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Mike - you can get the alum jelly at Ace Hardware for sure, and maybe at Lowe's or Home Depot, although they didn't have it the last time I looked (see pic). The jelly is great for bringing out gilt. Just apply a small amount and cover the entire button surface, and wait a minute or 2. Then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinse thoroughly. Dry with a soft cloth. If the crud is extra difficult, try a 2nd application, or leave on a little longer the first time. The only drawback is that any portions that aren't gilted may end up looking a little worse than without the jelly (but not always). But its really not that big of a deal. If you don't plan to sell the button, I would definitely use the jelly. I use it on any buttons that have even the slight appearance of gilt. You might want to try it first on some other less valuable buttons for practice, and to see what the results look like. I think you'll be amazed at the results. Good luck, and please post the "after" pic if you decide to give it a try. See ya .... Bill (Yorktown)

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

This is the only one I could find on my PC here at work. Hope this helps give you some idea of what the results might be like.

 

[Steve in PA]

n/t

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Sweet! Thanks for the info...I'll try to pick some up tomorrow.

 

[gsxraddict]

NO PLEASE DON'T CLEAN THAT BUTTON ANYMORE THEN YOU ALREADY DID.

Its perfect patina and all, do you want to sell it?

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

I might sell it if the price was right. And I haven't used any cleaner on it but I did soak it in some olive oil. This is what it looks like now.