(ca. 1777) Continental Army USA Button. Pewter, 18.4 x 19.5 mm. Fine. 57.4 grains.Similar to Troiani and Kochan (<em>Insignia of Independence</em>, 2012) AUSA.sk, but with a round shank. A nice sharp example with very limited edge loss due to corrosion. The shank is present and unbent. USA is crisp and bold, with little wear and no loss. The metal quality is good, and the present encrustation is stable and fairly attractive. This is the classic button of the Continental forces in the American Revolution, found in every state where Continentals went, with a seemingly infinite number of minor variations due to localized production and enormous quantities made. Buttons of this size were typically used on waistcoats and breeches; the larger (22 mm) buttons were coat buttons. This ubiquitous button inspired the design of the Bar copper (another button inspired the reverse), and anyone who served or knew a soldier would recognize the motif immediately. Many of these come out of the ground pretty chewed up, but this one is attractive and well preserved.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Jim Skalbe, November 2008.
