Woodchiphustler or any other button experts?

[samandnoah]

Hey there --

Was out metal detecting today along a creek (here in Austin, TX), and found my first button. Found it somewhere between 4" - 6" deep, and if memory serves, it rang up right around a copper penny or dime. It is a Scovill Mfg button, has a lined field, a rope border, and star in the middle. It also has the letters "T C H" on it. When I Googled images, I couldn't find any exactly like it. The closest was one that looked almost the same, but it says "TEXAN" around the edge instead of "T C H".

Any ideas on what it could be from? Does "H" regularly show up on buttons? The "T C" part could be Travis County (or perhaps Texas Cavalry). Or...?

Further down the creek is a known civil war encampment, as well as one just after the civil war. I want to believe it dates that far back, but my gut says it looks too good to be that old (at least relative to what happens to coils around here that are only 40 years old). Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Rich

 

[parkgt]

Nice find, thanks for sharing.

 

[samandnoah]

I have no idea why, when I put the letters TCH in quotation marks with spaces btw the letters that it turned into something that looks like an expletive! Anyhow, I can't edit the post at this point, so clarifying here that all it said was TCH (in quotations marks, and with spaces btw the letters ).

So let me repost the text as intended:

Hey there --

Was out metal detecting today along a creek (here in Austin, TX), and found my first button. Found it somewhere between 4" - 6" deep, and if memory serves, it rang up right around a copper penny or dime. It is a Scovill Mfg button, has a lined field, a rope border, and star in the middle. It also has the letters TCH on it. When I Googled images, I couldn't find any exactly like it. The closest was one that looked almost the same, but it says "TEXAN" around the edge instead of TCH.

Any ideas on what it could be from? Does "H" regularly show up on buttons? The TC part could be Travis County (or perhaps Texas Cavalry). Or...?

Further down the creek is a known civil war encampment, as well as one just after the civil war. I want to believe it dates that far back, but my gut says it looks too good to be that old (at least relative to what happens to coils around here that are only 40 years old). Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Rich

 

[woodchiphustler]

Could be a number of things. College, Military Institute? The Texas Buttons I dug have New Orleans back marks ( Hyde and Goodrich) Most say Texas or Republic of Texas or a plain star. Mississippi also uses the star motif. Go to the treasure depot web site . Larry Cisna may be able to help you. Regards

 

[samandnoah]

Thanks for taking a look, and the lead on where else to go.
Rich

 

[woodchiphustler]

Your welcome. The back mark will help date the button . Many Scoville variants.