Neil in West Jersey
New member
I found these buttons a while back at a colonial tavern site and I would like to get an ID on the Plated one. I have found many other artifacts at the site including clay pipe stems (1780's) and a large cent, a whiffletree, a lot of iron relics and more. These are simply the items that excite me the most.
The buttons from the site are by far the best preserved buttons I have found. The soil is well drained sand, which helped preserve them. I have found many gilted buttons, but this is the only one I have ever found marked "PLATED". My best age guess is circa 1820, but I would love to hear your opinion. I can also use help with the makers mark, "WN".
The other button appears to be considerably older possibly 1770's or even older, and simply says "GILT". If you look closely you can make it out on the picture. The amazing thing about this gilted button is the fact that although the gilt is long gone, there are still cloth fibers in the shank!! Has anyone ever seen flat buttons with 225 year old cloth fibers attached?
Once again any experts please share your information on any of these artifacts
The buttons from the site are by far the best preserved buttons I have found. The soil is well drained sand, which helped preserve them. I have found many gilted buttons, but this is the only one I have ever found marked "PLATED". My best age guess is circa 1820, but I would love to hear your opinion. I can also use help with the makers mark, "WN".
The other button appears to be considerably older possibly 1770's or even older, and simply says "GILT". If you look closely you can make it out on the picture. The amazing thing about this gilted button is the fact that although the gilt is long gone, there are still cloth fibers in the shank!! Has anyone ever seen flat buttons with 225 year old cloth fibers attached?
Once again any experts please share your information on any of these artifacts