Thanks to technology, innovation and “space aged” materials, we mostly live the comfortable live. When it comes to clothing, we don’t often thing about how convenient it is to have a zipper, light-weight plastic buttons or even pockets! These things are expected. However, turn back the clock to the 18th and 19th centuries, clothing was fastened together with metal in the form of buttons, buckles and clips.
Buttons from yesteryear, like today, came in all different sizes, from small cuff buttons to large “dandy” buttons, which were often elaborately decorated and coated in gold gilt. Each were hand-sewn onto garments of all types, and as such, would come loose and fall off, only for me to find them centuries later.
Here are some of the better buttons I’ve found while relic hunting in New Jersey.
Small decorative coat button. It has a lovely flower/wreath design.
Years in the ground has made the wreath design on this coat button barely visible.
In the 18th century, Tombac buttons (made of pewter) were popular. These two were found in a small area along with a 1791 silver Spanish half reale. They’re a nice trio of finds from the 1700s.
Most buttons from the 1800s had what is called a back mark (maker’s mark). Hours of online research have found no other examples of this exact button! I doubt it’s one of a kind, but I’ll call it that until I see another.
After almost 200 years in the ground, this button sees light for the first time.
One of my most prized finds, this Dutch doublet style button dates back to the 1600s!!! New Jersey is one of the few states that has a history that goes back that far.
Grant Hansen is an avid relic hunter, and focuses most of his efforts in his home state of New Jersey. He and his detecting partner James run http://relic-hunters.com and work with local and national historical societies and museums to preserve lost history. Some of the best finds Grant has made is the people he’s met and befriended along the way. It’s the kindness and generosity of property owners that makes it possible for him to pursue his passion. These articles are dedicated to these special people.
