state button value

[Lt1stNCSS]

ok, since no one else anywhere has been able to point me somewhere helpful, maybe the knowledge base here can help out.

I have been a reenactor for about 20 years now, WWII and Civil war, with most of my collecting being WWII since i can readily afford that and only have a few original civil war items..but one i do have that no one can pin a value on for me is a button of all things.

I have a Minnesota state enlisted button whcih i have taken to have appraised in Gettysburg and have been told by a certain store owner that it is most definitely civil war production, but since there are so few of them he couldnt qute me a value on it...

anyone know where i can go to find out what this is worth??

all help is appreciated.

Rob Riley
1st Lt. Co. A 1st NC Sharpshooter Btn.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

As with many collectables, particularly militaria, its worth whatever someone will pay for it. You can go to three different experts and get three different quotes, so thats what I would do. Seek out three different specialists and "bracket" the quotes and you'll be closer to getting a value.

[roundshot]

Find you one of these:
http://www.nstcivilwar.com/cgi-bin/display_Items.asp?Cat=3

[Lt1stNCSS]

i've looked in the buttons guides and they dont have any information since apprently this thing is a scarce rarity, no price and no pictures due to the few examples being in museums or something like that if i remember, i'll have to browse the new collectors guide if its out, there might be something in there

[huntdaw]

Just a moment of philosophy - I find myself amused by books and television shows that tell people what something is worth and advise them of the 'value' of their antique.

The bottom line is something is worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. If I were to tell you an item was worth $10,000 but nobody was willing to pay you more than $40 - isn't $40 pretty much the worth and value of the item?

[Lt1stNCSS]

thats true, but since i have a lot of my collectibles insured i need to tag a fair market value on to some of my things such as weapons and things of that sort, now most state buttons are in the hundreds of dollars range, so just trying to find out fair market value, all those i have talked to gave me a price within the same range give or take a couple hundred bucks....but i will see if the new guides are out and i will look in there.

thanks for all your help guys

[Jim Mayo]

From Tice's button book. "A set of these rare buttons is with the effects of Major William Dike at the Minnesota Historical Society". And a little further on, "I believe that these buttons were on a uniform of the 1st Minnesota which Dike wore at the first Battle of Bull Run. At the time of this writing, only seven specimens are known to be in private hands."

What is the back mark on your button?

If it is CW, it may not be in any price guide.

[Lt1stNCSS]

well when i had it appraised at the Horse soldier in Gettysburg, he told me it was definitely a civil war button but could quoute no price.

Its a waterbury button co backmark, with a little star after the co. heres a link to some pics

http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg140/SSGTRiley/civil%20war%20buttons/

i wish i could get them clearer but my camera isnt very good

[silentbreeze]

http://www.treasurequestxlt.com/community/ask-tq/

[Jim Mayo]

well when i had it appraised at the Horse soldier in Gettysburg, he told me it was definitely a civil war button but could quoute no price.

Its a waterbury button co backmark, with a little star after the co. heres a link to some pics

http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg140/SSGTRiley/civil%20war%20buttons/

i wish i could get them clearer but my camera isnt very good

For what it is worth, the back mark on the one In Tice's book is *D.EVANS & CO*/ATTLEBORO*MASS

An astrick or / on a backmark can make all the diffrerence in date of manufacture. If the Horse Soldier didn't offer to buy it I would wonder why.

[W. K. Osman]

Alas, your button is not Civil War period, and has a value of approximately $5 - or perhaps a little more on the antique mall circuit. We see lots of them here in Minnesota.
This state seal pattern button was used by the Minnesota National Guard in the 1880s and 1890s, and is found in both the 3 piece "staff" style and a 2 piece style. The only Minnesota button dating to the Civil War period is a 3 piece with a federal eagle bearing a ribbon in its beak with the state motto, the state seal in the shield on its breast, and the letters MVM (Minnesota Volunteer Militia) below. These were produced for the Minnesota militia staff before the war (probably in 1858 ).
In all my years of looking, I have discovered exactly one of these - they are very scarce indeed!
Stephen Osman
Senior Historian, Minnesota Historical Society (retired)

[Lt1stNCSS]

the guy at the Horse soldier did ask if it was for sale and i told him no...

now, the minnesota state button in the museum display at the Gettysburg NMP is is identical to mine, except that is a cuff button, this is larger...so is that button incorrect to be there as well??

[Scooby_308]

This Iowa button is similar (I think) to period and style. I cannot see your pic too clearly.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y19/Scooby_308/CW/011.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y19/Scooby_308/CW/012.jpg

[Lt1stNCSS]

i couldnt get a clear shot, my camera is older and not too good on close ups like that...

the iowa is very similar to to the other minnesota button that was pictured by Mr Osman, mine is just the state seal,

[ewtaylor]

According to the book, "AMERICAN MILITARY BUTTON MAKERS AND DEALERS; THEIR BACKMARKS AND DATES" by Wm. McGuinn and Bruce Bazelon.
Your button dates from 1870 to 1900.
Just from my collecting experience, MOST Waterbury backmarks are POSTWAR.

The answer to your other question about the cuff button is, sadly, yes its probably the wrong period too. Many of the museums in this country accept donations with little or no proof of the antiquity of the item. Just a "My gggrandfather used this in the War." is authenticity enough.

ew taylor

[W. K. Osman]

There is absolutely no evidence from the ground, on contemporary artifacts, or in the state financial records of the existence or purchase of those state seal buttons prior to the 1880s. The only Civil War period Minnesota button is the eagle with state seal on the shield, and that is only known in the larger, coat size.
Stephen Osman

[hhikker]

My Neighbor is an Apraiser and goes on digs, I'll pass the word to him and show the pictures. He's really good at what he does.

If you could to reduce the blurry factor of the picture try not to zoom in as much as you did. With computer software today we can enlarge the photo to get a better look. It works wonders when ya do it.

[hhikker]

My Neighbor is an Apraiser and goes on digs, I'll pass the word to him and show the pictures. He's really good at what he does.

If you could to reduce the blurry factor of the picture try not to zoom in as much as you did. With computer software today we can enlarge the photo to get a better look. It works wonders when ya do it.

I have checked with my Neighbor and he said yes it is post war and not worth but maybe $5 dollars at the most. Sorry It was not good news.

[Lt1stNCSS]

Its cool, thanks for the help, was just trying to pin down what it was and when it was from, glad i was able to find out for sure on here.

thanks again for all the useful insight and knowledge..

Rob

[roundshot]

You can see more post-war buttons on this site: http://www.vintagebuttons.net/uniform3.html


Bob Williams
26th NCT