Item: South Carolina State Seal Coat Button - "OPIBUSQUE" Misspelled
Backmark: ". HORSTMANN & ALLIEN / NY" dm
Construction: Convex, two-piece.
Design: The state coat of arms is on a lined field with initials "S C" and the Latin word "OPIBUSQUE" misspelled "OPIRUSQUE". (see more on the state coat of arms below under Comments section)
Approximate size: 23 mm.
Condition: Good, excavated, secure shank present. Rich brown patina. Front has mild push. There are no cracks, breaks, or repairs.
Recovered: Williamsburg, VA area
Reference: Tice: SC258A1 Albert: SC 14
Comments: According to "Uniform Buttons of the United States 1776-1865" by Warren K. Tice, "After the 1776 battle at Sullivan's Island, South Carolina approved a coat of arms design. It shows a palmetto tree in the seashore, symbolic of a Revolutionary War fort built of palmetto logs on Sullivan's Island. At the base of the palmetto is a broken oak tree, representing the British fleet. Twelve spears are bound to the palmetto's trunk, representing the twelve other American States. A band tying the spears is inscribed Quis Separabit, meaning "Who shall separate." Beneath the oak tree is an inscription Meliorem Lapsa Locavit, or "Having fallen, it has set up a better." The latter refers to the decline of the British (oak) and the ascendence of South Carolina (palmetto.) The state motto is, Animis Opibusque Parati, meaning "Prepared In Mind And Resources"." Note: Several variations of the above state seal are found on different size and types of South Carolina buttons.
This South Carolina state seal coat button was acquired directly from the family of the local Virginia digger and will be an excellent example addition to any Civil War button or general relic collection.
Purchase this item immediately using any major credit card or Paypal through our secure check out system. To use this system, click on the blue “Add to Cart” button found below.
Checks and money orders also accepted.
Orders may also be placed anytime by:
Phone or Text: 804-873-5462
Email: virginiarelics@comcast.net
When paying by check or money order, please include the item's Product Code or "PC" number with your order. Make payable to Virginia Relics and mail to:
Plez Bagby
PO Box 6425
Charlottesville, VA 22906
* Free shipping applies to items shipped to contiguous (lower 48 states) US addresses only.