Need Help on a old button. :help:

[MikeO]

I am pretty good at figuring out things but, this one has me whipped for ideas.
I went out today (well now yesterday) and found this button.
Here is the post about it.
Hand Engraved button.
Now this button appears to have a 2 and a 3 engraved into it. It almost looks like a I above the R after the 23? Then it has some kind of engraving at the top.
It is a softer button possibly made of a composition comprising of lead.
It came from a site that has produced coins as far back as 1786 which was a Half Real. Many other old US coins like early LCs etc have also came from here.
It was a prominent spot back in the early 1800s.
Any ideas would be appreciated on this one.
My guess is a Regimental Revolutionary War Button as many had allot of compostion of lead in them but, I could be wrong.

Here is a pic of the front and the back of it.
[attachment 246700 1016123.jpg] [attachment 246701 1016125.jpg]

 

[Dutchtoga]

It's a bale seal or clothe seal not a button. Cool find.

 

[Dutchtoga]

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/baleseals.htm

 

[MikeO]

I swore it looked just like an old Rev. War Button.
I have dug one that looks just like the typical ones in your link with a crisp stamping but, never an engraved one.
The first one I ever found was a tad bigger then a nickel but, smaller then a quarter and about 3/8" thick but, never one that looks like this.
This one is bigger then a quarter and the flat area is at most 1/8 thick.

Well now I know it is not a button.
Very Interesting

Thank You.

 

[edjcox]

Typical stamp seal for crate/container enclosure... They were cheap lead and hand crimped over wire or twine ends to seal a packet at the production point assuring it's integrity till use..