Confederate Button

[TomB]

A couple years ago, right after purchasing my X-Terra-70, I recovered a old button from a known confederate camp site. Because of the poor condition of the button I did not post the find. I have
often removed the button from my collection of relics and wondered exactly what it is. My hunting partner, Smith1, and I have often discussed trying electrolysis to clean some of our unidentified finds. After finding a site explaining how to build a unit using a 12v charger off of a telephone I decided to give it a try. The first picture is the button as I recovered it. The second picture is the button after it had been cleaned. You can clearly see VIRGINIA at the top of the button and the Virginia State Seal. I'm not sure I would use this process on a button if I could determined what it was. But now I know after two years what the button is.
The button if in good condition would be worth $250.00. While it may not have that value in its condition it
right up there with best of my finds so far. HH TomB

 

[utmike]

Outstanding find Tom!

 

[Jack Beam]

That is awesome!

 

[7centsworth]

Nice button. I like finding buttons as well as anything.

 

[TURNMASTER]

That is a big difference. Glad you had the... Courage to risk the damage to actually find out what you have, that with your new found skill makes that a very worthy find.

 

[kiwi-jim]

Thats a great button....cheers

 

[Hoover]

Touching history is one of the reasons we love this past-time- Great find!

 

[Beale]

Congrats on the sweet button! Beale.

 

[DELETED USER (Emmitt)]

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Digger]

Nice recovery Tom. It's a tough call to decide whether or not to clean an old coin or button. I think you did just fine! Like you, when they are nasty beyond recognition, I like to at least confirm what it is!

One thing I might suggest to those considering electrolosys is to use a tranformer with a lower DC voltage setting than the 12 volts you chose. I know a lot of folks use 9, 12 or even 18 volts thinking the more volts, the better. (Ohms law Voltage = Current X Resistance, where Voltage is the power source, Current is the flow of electrons between the negative and positive terminals and Resistance is the opposition to that current flow. That opposition is from the object being cleaned, the connectors to the object, the chemical composition of the solution you use and the purity of that solution.) But by using a lower DC voltage, you also lower the current flow which is removing the crud! By lowering the current flow, you reduce the flow of electrons and slow the electrolosys process. As such, you can stop the process at the "right time, and are less likely to cause irrepairable damage to the object. I know it takes longer to complete the cleaning when using lower voltage and less current flow. But for some objects, it might be time well spent. JMHO

With that said, Congrats on not only a great find, but on successfully cleaning it and sharing the pics with those of us who are not familiar with the beauty of Civil War buttons. HH Randy

 

[TomB]

Thanks guys...another fun part of this hobby is sharing your finds with friends. Thanks Randy for sharing that information. Most AC adapter are 12v or 18v. What do you recommend for the power source. Would a 6v lantern battery work? TomB

 

[Digger]

I've got a couple universal AC/DC transformers that can be adjusted for 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9 or 12V DC. You can pick them up at an electronics store for around $10. I usually start with the smallest voltage. Then, depending on my patience level at the time, adjust "accordingly". HH Randy


[attachment 177784 ca44UniversalPowerSupply.jpg]

*Just plugs into any wall outlet.
*6 common adaptor tips included
*Can be used to power Portable Radios, Cordless Telephones, Answering Machines, Keyboards, Cassette Players, Calculators, Video Games, Toys and more.
*1000Ma or 1A output
*1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5 9, or 12Vdc adjustable
*Switch for Positive or negative tip.
*Switch for 120Vac or 240Vac (US connector).

 

[TomB]

Thanks Randy.... I'll pick one up. TomB

 

[TomB]

Could not find a Coby in my neck of the woods but Best Buy had a Dynex which matched the specifications recommended by Randy. Cost $16.00 but cheaper that ordering and paying $10.00 for transformer and $16.00 shipping. Gave it a try on an old IH and it did a super job. Again thanks Randy. TomB