Eagle Button Question

[teotwawki12]

Today was cold and muddy; very few keepers coming out of the mud. Thoroughly detected spot (by me) where a civil war veteran had a homestead here in Michigan after the war. I found another eagle button after all the rivets and bits of copper so it was worth it, beat up as it may be...

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Can't tell from the photo, but this eagle button has a bit of silver plating left on the back rather than gold plating. Anybody know any significance of that??

 

[AirmetTango]

My whole year has kinda been like your hunt - only one or two good finds every other hunt, but it’s enough to fuel the addiction!

That button’s a nice find, and IHPs are always a welcome sight. I’m not sure about the silver gilding having any significance, other than what color the uniform specs called for, or in the case of the backmark, maybe manufacturers preference. It looks like some manufacturers used silver plating on the back piece while the rest of the button stayed brass (or gold gilt). Other buttons were entirely silvered or entirely gold, etc:

eBay Auction: Brass Dragoons Coat Button w/Silver Plated Backmark

Another auction/sales site:

Virginia Relics: Infantry Coat Button - Silvered

A lot more variation than I realized! But I’m definitely no button expert. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in!

 

[too_pointer]

Very nice goodies, congrats
too_

 

[Cherry Picker]

General Service button. From 1854 to 1875.

 

[teotwawki12]

My whole year has kinda been like your hunt - only one or two good finds every other hunt, but it’s enough to fuel the addiction!

That button’s a nice find, and IHPs are always a welcome sight. I’m not sure about the silver gilding having any significance, other than what color the uniform specs called for, or in the case of the backmark, maybe manufacturers preference. It looks like some manufacturers used silver plating on the back piece while the rest of the button stayed brass (or gold gilt). Other buttons were entirely silvered or entirely gold, etc:

eBay Auction: Brass Dragoons Coat Button w/Silver Plated Backmark

Another auction/sales site:

Virginia Relics: Infantry Coat Button - Silvered

A lot more variation than I realized! But I’m definitely no button expert. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in!

Interesting seeing the gold plated front with the silver back... Thanks man!

 

[Hotled]

Know clue

 

[Digger RJ]

Today was cold and muddy; very few keepers coming out of the mud. Thoroughly detected spot (by me) where a civil war veteran had a homestead here in Michigan after the war. I found another eagle button after all the rivets and bits of copper so it was worth it, beat up as it may be...
View attachment 589050 a

Can't tell from the photo, but this eagle button has a bit of silver plating left on the back rather than gold plating. Anybody know any significance of that??

View attachment 589051View attachment 589052

Nice!!!!! Congrats!!!!