Revolutionary War Pewter Button Value Guide

The Revolutionary War Pewter Button is a significant military artifact used by both Continental and British forces between 1775 and 1783. These flat-faced buttons are highly collectible due to their direct connection to specific regimental units and the unique casting methods of the 18th century.

What Is Revolutionary War Pewter Button Worth?

The typical price range for Revolutionary War Pewter Button is $150 - $165 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and clarity of specific regimental numbers or unit insignias significantly increase market value.
• Overall structural integrity, as pewter is notoriously brittle and prone to degradation over time.
• Provenance and recovery location, particularly if linked to a known 18th-century encampment site.
• The condition of the cast shank, as intact attachments are rarer for excavated military buttons.

How to Identify Revolutionary War Pewter Button?

• Look for a flat-faced surface with a distinct cast shank integrated into the back of the button.
• Identify regimental numbers or letters cast into the pewter that denote specific military units.
• Check for signs of 'tin pest' or oxidation, which appears as a grey, brittle crusting common in buried pewter.
• Verify the material composition of pewter and lead, which provides a heavier feel than modern aluminum replicas.

History of Revolutionary War Pewter Button

During the American Revolutionary War, both Continental and British forces utilized pewter buttons for their uniforms. Pewter was a preferred material for its ease of casting, though it was notoriously brittle and prone to 'tin pest' or oxidation when buried for long periods. These buttons often featured regimental numbers or letters to denote specific units and are frequently recovered by metal detectorists at encampment sites.