Virginia State Seal Coat Button - Missing Back
Item: Virginia State Seal Coat Button - Missing Back
Backmark: Unknown
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: Convex, two-piece.
Approximate size: 22.5 mm.
Condition: Fair, excavated, back missing. The button has a brown patina with ample gilt in the areas of the two figures and around the motto and the letters of "VIRGINIA". There are two small holes in Virtus' helmet and helmet plume. There are no pushes, cracks, or repairs.
Recovered: From a Virginia Confederate campsite according to digger's display case label.
Reference: Tice: VA222A Albert: VA 13
Comments: This button was acquired directly from the digger's family. The digger hunted Civil War trails, campsites, and battle sites throughout central Virginia and adjacent states for several decades. This Virginia state seal button will be an excellent display piece for any excavated Civil War button or general relic collection.
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."
- Product Code:
- PC9730
- Price:
- $65.00
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