Typical Plate Damage, Always a Challenge

Shown below are three relatively "common" union accoutrement plates. All had damage and the owner wanted more presentable relics. As always, matching the solder backing to the existing is the greatest challenge. This isn't to say face matching isn't difficult but getting a believable solder look with the exact layering of grays, white and earth tones continues to be the big hurdle in completing the work to my satisfaction. These came out rather well but only after hours of rework.

Sometimes Gilted Sometimes Not: Two Virginia Buttons

Below are two examples of a pre-war manufactured Virginia button produced by Benedict & Burnham of Waterbury Connecticut (circa 1834-1843). Both two-piece buttons were silver-plated and manufactured using thick, flat spun backs. Interestingly, these backs, when separated from the button, look exactly like the "coin" type flat buttons so often recovered from early sites with the exception of a groove along the outer edge into which the button's face edge is pressure fitted. Both of these button backs were completely detached, loose inside the buttons. I was able to carefully turn and run the backs' grooved edges into the face rim for a snug and flush re-fitting.

Why the one button has retained so much silver and the other hardly any has to do with the amount of wear, timeframe of loss, and the soil conditions of its 150 plus years of entombment. Both were recovered in the Richmond area. This B&B variety of the Virginia state seal button is considered rare and can be referenced in Albert's book as the VA8 and in Tice's reference as the VA 2181A.