Virginia State Seal Coat Button
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Item: Virginia State Seal Coat Button - Silvered
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: Good, excavated, shank missing. The button has a rich brown patina with a broad push to the front rendering it nearly flat. There are no cracks 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 Albemarle and surrounding counties. 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 (Civil War-era Virginia state seal buttons show Virtus holding the spear in her left hand and the sword in her right). 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.
- Product Code:
- PC9676
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