Item: Virginia State Seal Coat Button
Backmark: "{figure} YOUNG . SMITH & Co / NEW . YORK {figure}" dm
Design: Virginia coat of arms on a plain field, with the figures of Virtus standing over Tyranny. The state motto of "SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS" is below with "VIRGINIA" above.
Construction: Low convex, two-piece.
Approximate size: 22 mm.
Condition: Very good, excavated, secure shank present. The button has a dusty brown patina and lots of gilt in the areas of the two figures and around the motto and the letters of "VIRGINIA". There is a mild push to the front center of this low convex button. It has no cracks, breaks, or repairs.
Recovered: Albemarle County, VA
Reference: Tice: VA209A2 Albert: VA 5
Comments: This button was acquired directly from the local Virginia digger who primarily hunted old home sites in the Albemarle and surrounding county area. According to "Uniform Buttons of the United States 1776-1865" by Warren K. Tice, regarding the Virginia coat of arms:
"George Wythe designed a coat of arms in 1776 which reflects strong anti-monarchy, pro-republican sentiments. Virtus, genius of the Commonwealth, in Amazon attire, holds a spear with her right hand and a sword with her left. The form of Tyranny lies at the feet of Virtus, with the despised crown, a broken chain, and scourge cast upon the ground. The Latin motto of Virginia is Sic Semper Tyrannis, "Thus ever to tyrants." John Wilkes Booth shouted this phrase as he leapt to the stage of Ford's Theater after shooting President Lincoln. All Virginia arms buttons bear the Commonwealth motto."
This Virginia state seal button will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War button or general relic collection.
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Call or Text: 804-873-5462
Email: virginiarelics@comcast.net