Buttons

To many collectors and diggers, nothing is quite as exciting as finding a button from the Civil War. Not only is it a very personal item, they are also beautiful examples of die work done by craftsman who processed a skill rarely found in modern times. Buttons, especially Confederate ones, are also one of the better investments in Civil War antiquities.

To save time, feel free to click the following links to take you to the buttons you are most interested in!

Dug Yankee Buttons Dug Confederate Buttons

Non Dug Buttons

Dug Yankee Buttons	Item #	Price
Eagle Button: The Union enlisted man's button of the Civil War! Coat size 19mm, “Extra Quality” b/m straight shank. Found at Dandridge, TN by Dwight Drake.	BN436JAJJ	$8
Eagle Button: The Union enlisted man's button of the Civil War! Coat size 19mm , no b/m, shank bent at 30 degrees. Found at Dandridge, TN by Dwight Drake.	BN435JAJJ	SOLD
Staff Officer’s Button: Coat size, 75% gilt remains, no pushes. Was dug without rim (a common occurrence) thus has been neatly glued back together. Dug near Fredericksburg, Virginia.	BN450JEJJ	$14
Eagle "I" Button: Used by US Non Com Infantry officers in Civil War, moderate ground action but does have lots of gilt peaking through. Coat size 23 mm, backmark unreadable but is correct for era, back is there with shank but cracked and pushed in. Face is fine. Dug near Fredericksburg, Virginia.	BN451JBJJ	SOLD
Eagle “C” Button: Used by US Cavalry, Civil War era, Coat size 23 mm, Scoville Mfg. backmark, slight push on shield. Pretty much uncleaned but looks like it has some gilt remaining. Dug near Fredericksburg, Virginia.	BN452JBJJ	$30
Eagle "A" Artillery Button: Coat size 23 mm, moderate push, front and back, still has good contrast and detail, moderate ground action. Found in North Georgia.	BN453JBJJ	$20
Eagle “R” Rifleman Button: Coat size, good straight shank. Solid with some ground action. Very slight push in eagle’s neck, almost unnoticeable. Backmark is “Young Smith Co * NY” Found in Savannah, GA, area.	BN392JAJJ	$50
Navy Button: Cuff size, no shank. Can’t make out backmark. This style was used from 1850s up into post war era, so it’s hard to pinpoint.. Found in Savannah, GA, area	BN391JAJJ	$6
Police Button, CIVIL WAR ERA!: Coat size, 23 mm,85% gilt remains, but edge has been cut and face creased. Almost all of these are post war, but not this one! Has raised mark (asterisks or stars, I can't tell) in a depressed channel, an almost certain trait of 1850's-early 1860's.	BN311JAAJ1	$25
Connecticut Button: Cuff size, 14mm, from Wilderness Area. 20%. bright gilt remains, I can't make out bm.. Shank bent 45% but intact,	BN304JIJJ1	$20
New York Button: Coat size. Another Jonesboro find, coat size. Rim is missing but button has been neatly glued back together. Can't make out bm	BN281JDJJ	$12
New York Button: 22 mm coat size, shank intact but bent over, slight push and rim 90% intact. Can't read b/m, came from South Mountain, VA. Covered in green, lots of ground action, but has lots of gold under the green if you care to clean it.	BN291JCJJ1	$8
Maine Militia Button: Early Star pattern, very slick and near perfect, an early dig from Kennesaw, GA (known as Big Shanty during the war). Shank missing, has old English backmark of “Treble Gilt London.” 22 mm coat size, one piece.	BN432DEJJ	$110
Dug Confederate Buttons	Item #	Price
Lined In CS Infantry Button: 23mm Moderate push to face, but great detail. No shank, can’t make out backmark. Albert’s CS 172 JUST ADDED!	BN454CCJJ	$90
Confederate Infantry Button: Found in Kennesaw (Big Shanty) GA Early dig, excellent condition. Tice # CS1240A1 Backmark “EML & Co, Richmond, VA” Shank is shiny copper and I first thought a replacement, but after looking under high magnification, it can be seen this is the original, likely pushed in and out of a card which wore out the patina on just the shank. I’ve since had other button experts express this same opinion.	BN429GEJJ	$180
Confederate "Local" Infantry Button: Found in Kennesaw (Big Shanty) GA. Early dig, excellent condition. Tice # CS1240B1 No backmark but obviously Southern made, has three concentric circles, one dotted. Shank is shiny copper and I first thought a replacement, but after looking under high magnification, it can be seen this is the original, likely pushed in and out of a display card which wore out the patina on just the shank. I’ve since had other button experts express this same opinion. Rest of button's patina is smooth and pleasing.	BN428GEJJ	$160
Confederate Infantry “I” Button: Albert’s # CS 182 Tin back, still has shank (although its bent over) a few dents and moderate push. Found in Hoover's Gap, Tennessee.	BN410GEJJ	$140
Confederate Artillery Lined “A” Button: Albert’s # CS 123, blank brass back, no shank.. Found in Stones River.	BN409ABEJ	$150
Georgia State Seal Button: 24 mm coat size, Horstman & Allien bm, Alberts GA5. Found at Fredericksburg, VA. Moderate-heavy crease in front is contemporary to button, still has good detail, no gilt remains.	BN441CEJJ	$135
Louisiana Coat size: Nice gilt, 50% or so! So scarce that Albert's doesn't even show it but Tice list it as LA20, a definite hard-to-get Civil War button. This is beautiful! No pushes, great back and shank, no ground action on front, but enough on back that I can't read the bm. Tiny digger scratch on shank...close call, but doesn't affect it. This button was found on Skidaway Island, GA, in the 1980's in a Louisiana camp.	BN254ABEJ	$550
Scarce North Carolina (NC 14) 20mm size: This is a very odd size of this already rare button. Never heard of a 20mm, but this one is. Some gilt left on face and back, lath marks visiable, shank broken in half. Quite a bit of ground action on face, but details are still all there. Dug in Virginia.	BN252AJJJ	$500
Charleston Police Cuff: You want a rare button at a reasonable price? Well, here you go! Cuff size, and found over 40 years ago in Charleston, SC, with some gilt remaining. Shank has a shiny spot, may have been nicked with shovel, but it's all there. No pushes, and very rare. Considerable ground action, but it is what it is.	BN162BJJJ	$50
South Carolina Vest: Dug in Confederate camp in Fredericksburg, VA. No shank, moderate ground action. Can't make out backmark, but I guarantee it's Civil War era.	BN146CJJJ	$60
South Carolina Cuff: No shank, but lots of gold. Some ground action, especially on back, but still a solid example. Found near Fredericksburg, VA	BN59BGEJ	$65
Virginia Low Convex VA 4 Coat: An early dig, no ground action at all, and almost all of silver plating remains. Strong "WH Horstman & Sons/ Phila" bm. No shank, found in Richmond during the 1960's. Very slight push in face on the "NN" part of motto, barely noticeable.	BN251AJJJ	$230
Virginia One Piece: Solid with shank, but has moderate to heavy ground action on face. You can still make out the State seal, though. This is Albert's #VA2, with shank, found in Richmond, VA	BN134FBJJ	$125
Virginia One Piece: Solid with fairly good detail, great clear backmark, but no shank. This is Albert's #VA1, and was found in Williamsburg, VA	BN135FBJJ	$140
Non Dug Civil War Era Confederate Buttons	Item #	Price
South Carolina Vest Size: 19mm, bm of "Horstman & Allien.NY." Perfect in all ways. Alberts SC 15B.	BN406BKC	$175
Non Dug Civil War Era Federal Buttons	Item #	Price
Eagle Cavalry: Nondug. Cuff 16mm, Albert's #CV-1. Backmark “Waterbury button Co.” Gilted. Shank elongated, likely done by soldier to make it easier to button.	BN424JBJJ	$35
Eagle Artillery: Nondug.16mm cuff size. Tice# AY215-19Backmark “W.G. Mintzer. Phild.” Perfect, nice gilt.	BN423JBJJ	$30
Eagle Infantry Button: Worn by non-com officers, this one is non dug with blank back. Floating shank was made that way, but has very slight push in back (almost unnoticeable). Has tarnished gilt, this one shows good honest use. 21mm, no bm. Tice’s GI234.	BN439AJJJ	$35
Eagle Infantry Button: Worn by non-com officers, this one is non dug with blank back. Slight push at 1 o'clock position of face. Floating shank was made that way, but has slight push in back (almost unnoticeable). Slight traces of SILVER wash remain in shield, this one shows good honest use. 21mm, no bm. Tice’s GI200B7 (Alberts GI79)	BN440AJJJ	$35
Eagle Infantry: Nondug. Tice #GI228-10 Backmark “Waterbury Button Co” in outer rim, “Waterbury, Conn” in inside circle. Excellent condition but has been worn, some gilt worn off edges and high spots. Coat size, 23mm	BN426JBJJ	SOLD
Eagle Infantry: Non dug, coat size, slight push in back at shank, otherwise very nice. No gilt. Tice # GI 215-17 Backmark “Goddard & Bro: Waterbury.”	BN425JBJJ	$35
Eagle Infantry: Nondug. Tice # GI 228, Alberts # GI89Coat size 23mm, no gilt. Backmark “Waterbury Button Co. Extra”	BN422JBJJ	$38
Gilted General Service Eagle: Nondug. This is the gilt face with tin back occasionally dug in Western Theater Civil War sites. Unusual in that most Eagle General Service buttons were not gilted. 21 mm Coat size. This type had a shank which was affixed without solder.	BN430JBJJ	$30
Gilted General Service Eagle: Nondug. This is the gilt face with tin back occasionally dug in Western Theater Civil War sites. Unusual in that most Eagle General Service buttons were not gilted, traces of gilt remain.. Shank intact but push on back, face good. 16 mm cuff/vest size. Albert's GI94. JUST ADDED!	BN455JDJJ	$10
1840 Silver Eagle Infantry: Nondug. Tice #GI206, Alberts GI82 Silver plated Mexican War era, 1830-1840. Silver worn off in a few places, shows good honest use. Excellent condition overall. Great old English style backmark of “Rich Imperial”. Coat size, 20mm	BN421JBJJ	$50
1700-1865 Misc. Buttons	Item #	Price
Plain Button: Two piece, Coat size, Civil War era, backmark “Kendrick Extra.” Kendrick is most famous for their 1840s military buttons. Good condition, perfect shank. Found near Columbia, SC.	BN433JAJJ	$5
Sportsman Button: Silver plated, Stag Head, tin back, no shank. 23mm Dug in South Carolina Lowcountry.	BN413JBJJ	$14
Zouave Button: near perfect coat size specimen, .750”, good shank, slick face, some slight ground action on back makes backmark unreadable. Found near Columbia, SC	BN431JAJJ	$10
Ball Button: Coat size, 18mm, often used by Zouaves of musicians. From Wilderness, VA area.	BN411JDJJ	$14
Ball Button: Cuff size, 12mm, often used by Zouaves or musicians, Civil War era. Slight push, with shank. From Wilderness, VA area.	BN412JBJJ	$6
Zouave Ball Button: 16 mm vest size, Solid, still has the dirt on it, dug in Fredericksburg.	BN370JCJJ	$7
Colonial Era Flat Buttons: All sizes, all with shanks. Found in Charleston, SC area.	BN232JJEJ	$3 each
Large Coat Weight/Buttons: Made of lead, these are said to have served dual purpose, which I believe. Definite Civil War or before era. These are about 1.150" diameter. Found at Wilderness/So`uth Mountain Area. Have two in this size.	MD514JAJJ1	$3 each
Medium Coat Weight/Buttons: Made of lead, these are said to have served dual purpose, which I believe. Definite Civil War or before era. These are about .950" diameter. Found at Wilderness/South Mountain Area. Have four in this size.	MD515JAJJ1	$3 each
Livery Button: Originally from England, these are sometimes found at Confederate sites. Don't know where this one was dug from, but it's nice, with almost 90% of the silver plate remaining. Solid cast, no BM. Shank present and straight but eye squashed close.26mm	BN283AJJJ	$25
Tiny Flat Button: Decorative, 12mm with gilt traces. Early 1800's.	BN321JAJJ1	$6
Large Decorative Flat Button:35mm, slight warp and bent shank, Wilderness VA area.	BN316JAJJ1	$4
Plain two Piece Button: Civilian style, "Browning and King", found near Charleston, SC	BN255JAJJ	$5
Non-Dug Buttons	Item #	Price
Bone Buttons: 1800's era, identical to those dug in camps and period house sites. Perfect for re-enactors of all periods. Four hole styles only in stock.	BN8JJJE	1.00 ea.
“Flower” Button: Non dug, exactly like those often found at Confederate sites, but all are civilian made. 16mm, iron back.	BN437JAJJ	$6
“Flower” Button: Non dug, exactly like those often found at Confederate sites, but all are civilian made. 16mm, iron back. Shank loose on this one, but still wearable and intact.	BN438JAJJ	$5
1850s Flower Button Set: Coat size, .813"diameter. Has the 1850s "TREBLE STANDd EXTRA" backmark. Two piece construction. Only have three sets of these, so buy them now if you want to have a nice set of period correct flower buttons on your Confederate uniform or civilian coat. Rare to see full sets of authentic Civil War era buttons.	BN385JCJJ	$30
1850s Flower Button Set: Coat size, .813"diameter. Has the 1850s "TREBLE STANDd EXTRA" backmark. Two piece construction. Only have three sets of these, so buy them now if you want to have a nice set of period correct flower buttons on your Confederate uniform or civilian coat. Rare to see full sets of authentic Civil War era buttons.	BN386JCJJ	$30
Plain Civilian Button Set: 5 matching buttons, perfect for a coat repair or reinactor who wants the real deal. Late 1700-Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m ".Imperial Gilt. Colour"" .700" diameter. Includes 4.5 x 5.5 riker display case!	BN365JFJJ	$30
Plain Civilian Button Set: 5 matching buttons, perfect for a coat repair or reinactor who wants the real deal. Late 1700-Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "WarrantedOrange" .677" diameter. Includes 4.5 x 5.5 riker display case	BN366JFJJ	$30
Undated Gutta Percha Buttons: Have various names on the backs, but no pat dates. Still very old.	BN1A-JJEJ	$2.50 each
Plain Civilian Button: Late 1700-mid 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "Extra Color" .742" diameter.	BN377JAJJ	$3
Plain Civilian Button: Late 1700-mid 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "Superfine Color" in old English text .733" diameter.	BN379JAJJ	$3
Plain Civilian Button: Late 1700-Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "Rich Gold Color" .734" diameter.	BN360JAJJ	$4
Plain Civilian Button: Late 1700-Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "London Warranted." 784" diameter.	BN361JAJJ	$4
American Made Plain Civilian Button: Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are made by Kendricks & Co, an 1830's American Manufacture. Very desirable backmark especially in nondug. Like most civilian buttons of the era, they also occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms.789" diameter.	BN362JAJJ	$6
Concave Button “Rich Gilt”: 5/8" diameter	BN81JAGB	$5
Odd Backmarked Flat Button: Letters are old English, very fancy. Bad thing is even though it's clear, we can't make out the name! Brass, 3/4", with good straight shank	BN220JBSS	$6
Non Dug Coat Weight/Buttons: Made of lead, these are said to have served dual purpose, which I believe. Rarely seen non dug. Perfect buttons for a reinactor to wear to have that fully authentic look. Have five.	MN306JAJJ1	$5 each
Post War Buttons	Item #	Price
Indian Wars Cavalry Helmet Button: Brass, 1” diameter nondug. Not made with w/shank, but with tab. For Cavalry Dress Helmet Model 1881.	BN449JAJJ	$10
Indian Wars Artillery Helmet Button: Brass, 1” diameter. nondug Not made with w/shank, but with tab. For Artillery Dress Helmet Model 1881.	BN448JAJJ	$10
Maine Button: Coat size, three piece staff officer, “M. C. Lilley& Co/ Columbus, O” Perfect non dug condition. Late 1800s	BN444JAJJ	$10
Navy Button: Vest size, “MB Myer Inc./N.Y.C.” Late 1800s.	BN445JAJJ	$10
Illinois Button: Cuff size, non dug “Scovill Mfg Co/Waterbury” backmark. 1870s.	BN446JAJJ	$8
Indian War Eagle Infantry: Dates to 1870s, unlisted in books I’ve seen. “Horstmann Bros & Co Phil” b/m. I on stippled shield, button is perfect in every way with 100% gilt. 22mm coat size	BN442AJJJ	$20
Indian War Eagle Infantry: Dates to 1870-80s. “Scovill Mfg Co Waterbury" b/m. I on stippled shield, button is perfect in every way with 100% gilt. 16mm cuff size	BN443JEJJ	SOLD
New Jersey National Guard Buttons: Cuff size 16mm, backmark “Scoville Mfg Co*Waterbury. Backmark was used from 1860-1870, but these are post war. Have 16 total.	BN419JBJJ	$2.50 each
New Jersey National Guard Buttons: coat size, backmarks are “Scoville Mfg CoWaterbury” and Scoville Mf’g Co Waterbury”” These are post war 1870s.	BN420JBJJ	$4 each
Pennsylvania Staff "Pat 1888": Cuff size. "A. P. Davis Pat Nov 20th 1888" b/m. Three piece button. Floating style shank.	BN344JAJJ	$4
Rhode Island “Button”: Actually part of a woman’s patriotic belt, popular from late 1860s-1900.	BN417JAJJ	$6
Late Victorian decorative button: Thin stamped brass with small soldered on shank. I'd guess age as late 1800-early 1900.	BN265JAJJ	$5
Button Dies	Item #	Price
Unknown "Knight With Flag On Horse Over Dragon" Button Die: Title says it all. Made a vest size button.	BNC349JAJJ	$25