Artifacts

A flawless, non-excavated example of a Civil War-era Confederate staff officer’s coat button, manufactured in England and imported for Confederate use. This button is in exceptional condition, with no damage and its full gilt finish remaining. The reverse retains a straight, upright shank and bears an “Extra Rich Treble Gilt” backmark. Measures 25 mm in diameter. An outstanding example that would be difficult to improve upon.

An original Civil War Confederate Staff Officer’s coat button featuring the classic droop-wing eagle design. This locally made example was produced by an unidentified Confederate contractor and retains a substantial amount of its original gold gilt. The tin reverse loop has rusted away, as is commonly encountered on excavated examples after more than 160 years underground.

A great-condition, all-original Model 1858 smoothside canteen from the American Civil War (1861–1865). This pattern was widely used by both Union and Confederate troops throughout the conflict. Remarkably, the canteen retains its original canvas covering and a large portion of the original carrying strap. The canvas shows several holes and small areas of loss but remains largely intact. The tin body is exceptionally well preserved, with only a small chip to the pewter spout as shown in the photographs. An outstanding, untouched 160+ year-old piece of Civil War history.

A large excavated Civil War iron canister shot recovered from the ground. Canister rounds consisted of numerous iron balls packed inside a tin canister and were fired at close range, effectively turning a cannon into a massive shotgun. Used by both Union and Confederate artillery, canister was one of the most devastating anti-infantry munitions of the Civil War. Sold individually. Pictured: representative examples; each shot is excavated and varies slightly in surface patina. Pieces measure about 1.5" diameter. You will receive one of the examples shown, while supplies last.

A beautiful, intact two-piece Confederate Staff Officer's coat button manufactured by Casimir Rouyer of New Orleans, Louisiana. Buttons of this type were likely worn by Confederate officers from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This 22mm example retains a smooth brown patina and is in excellent overall condition. The face has a small dent and tiny crack near the 5–6 o'clock position, while the original shank remains intact but is bent over on the reverse. A scarce and evocative piece of Confederate material culture from the American Civil War.

An exceptionally well-preserved excavated Civil War U.S. cartridge box plate. Bearing the iconic raised "US" insignia, these plates were mounted to the leather flap of a Union soldier's cartridge box, serving both as insignia and as added weight to help keep the flap closed. The face displays beautifully for an excavated example, retaining excellent detail and an attractive aged patina. One original iron fastening loop remains intact on the reverse, while the other has rusted away during its many years underground. A classic and highly recognizable piece of Union Civil War equipment. This piece was excavated in Culpeper, Virginia. Note: The final photograph is an EXAMPLE reference image showing a plate mounted on an original cartridge box for context only — it is not the item being sold and is not included.

An exceptionally well-preserved excavated Civil War U.S. cartridge box plate bearing the raised "US" insignia. These plates were mounted to the leather flap of a Union soldier's cartridge box, serving as both insignia and added weight to help keep the flap closed. This example was excavated near Atlanta, Georgia. The face displays beautifully for an excavated piece, retaining excellent detail and an attractive aged patina. The original iron fastening loops on the reverse have rusted away during its time underground. Note: The final photograph is an EXAMPLE reference image showing a U.S. cartridge box plate mounted on an original Civil War cartridge box. The cartridge box shown is for illustration only and is NOT included with this purchase — only the cartridge box plate pictured in the first two photographs is being sold.

An original, non-excavated brass Union General Service uniform button from the American Civil War. This two-piece pattern was issued to U.S. soldiers from 1854–1865 and features a correct period manufacturer’s backmark. The face displays the classic spread-wing Federal eagle with a shield upon its chest, clutching arrows and an olive branch in its talons. This is the smaller cuff-size variation, measuring approximately 14mm in diameter. Each button is sold individually. You will receive one of the examples shown, while supplies last.

An 1862 British Maundy fourpence struck in .925 sterling silver. Although silver, the coin displays an attractive golden luster and may have been gilded. A punched hole and two visible attachment points indicate that it was likely incorporated into a piece of jewelry. Maundy coins are specially issued for the Royal Maundy ceremony, during which the British monarch presents small silver coins to elderly recipients on Maundy Thursday. Traditionally issued in denominations of one through four pence, the number of recipients corresponds to the monarch's age.

An excavated Confederate Roman-style cast-brass block "I" infantry button. Primarily associated with the Army of Tennessee in the Western Theater of the Civil War, these buttons were cast from a single piece of brass rather than using the typical two-piece construction commonly seen on uniform buttons of the era. This example was recovered from a Confederate campsite in North Mississippi. The attachment loop is missing.

An original Confederate States of America $5 note dated April 6, 1863. This note is in good condition and features the Confederate Capitol Building, now the Virginia State Capitol, at the top center of the obverse, along with a portrait of Christopher Gustavus Memminger, Confederate Secretary of the Treasury, at the bottom right.The reverse features five numeral “5” designs with a large Roman numeral “V” at center. The note displays well and has no rips or tears present.The wording on the obverse reads:“FUNDABLE IN STOCKS OR BONDS OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES.TWO YEARS AFTER THE RATIFICATION OF A TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN THE CONFEDERATE STATES & THE UNITED STATESThe Confederate States of AmericaWILL PAY TO Bearer FIVE DOLLARS.Richmond 5RECEIVABLE IN PAYMENT OF ALL DUES EXCEPT EXPORT DUTIES.”Printed by Keating & Ball of Columbia, South Carolina.

A very nice original Confederate States of America $20 note dated February 17, 1864. The obverse features the Tennessee State Capitol building at center, with text contained within two shields above. A portrait of Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens appears at the lower right, with denomination markings at the left and upper right.The note features both printed Latin script and period cursive script.The principal wording reads:“Two Years after the Ratification of a Treaty of Peace betweenThe Confederate States and the United States of America,TheCONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICAWill pay TWENTY DOLLARS to the beareron demand. Richmond. February 17th 1864.”The reverse is printed in blue ink and features a large “TWENTY” at center with the denomination “20” in all four corners, superimposed over an intricate guilloche design.This example remains in great overall condition for its age. There are a few visible creases and very minor tears confined to the edges, consistent with period circulation and handling. Please refer to the photographs for exact condition.