Metals

Note to the viewer: The purpose of these pages is to provide visual examples for all the types of buttons described in Section 10 of the Blue Book¹. Each example is labeled in accordance with the Blue Book Section 10 outline. Passing your mouse over the button image will turn the button over so the back may be seen. In some cases, more than one example of a type is shown. Finally, scanning or photographing buttons has distinct limitations in the areas of perspective, color, details, and dimensions. Thus, many buttons do not reveal their true character and appearance in the photos or scans. When uncertainty exists, ask a fellow collector, club member or a dealer to show you an actual example of the button in question. A Section 10 worksheet has been provided and can be downloaded or printed by clicking the link above.

Hover mouse over any button to see the back


10-1 White Metals Assorted - Buttons constructed of white metal alloys (appearing white or gray)
10-1 White Metal (Brass OME)	10-1 White Metal (Tinted)	10-1 White Metal - Nickel to imitate Silver BM "Alpaca Mexico"	10-1 White Metal (Steel OME)
10-2 Aluminum - Button characterized by their light weight compared to other metals
10-2 Aluminum (Cast)	10-2 Aluminum (Anodized)	10-2 Aluminum (Painted)	10-2 Aluminum (Painted & Cut)
10-2 Aluminum (Stamped)	10-2 Aluminum (Anodized)	10-2 Aluminum (1-Piece)	10-2 Aluminum (Verbal)
10-3 Pewter Assorted - Tin alloyed with varying proportions of lead, zinc, antimony, bismuth or copper
10-3 Pewter	10-3 Pewter - Christina BM	10-3 Pewter - Danforth BM Paint DF	10-3 Pewter - Danforth BM Cold Plastic Enamel DF
10-3 Pewter - Rimmed See reference 2, plate 80 for explanation	10-3 Pewter - Faced (BM "Patent") See reference 2, plate 81 for explanation	10-3.1 Pewter - Bright Cut	10-3.1 Pewter - Bright Cut
10-3.2 Pewter - Hard White (BM)	10-3.3 Pewter - Soft Cast	10-3.3 Pewter - Soft Cast High lead content or "Plumbago" type	Britannia Pewter Example not yet found
10-4 Silver Assorted - Usually alloyed with copper to give it strength and hardness
10-4 Silver - BM "N&H + hallmarks"	10-4 - Studio BM "AF - 88"	10-4 Silver (Plate) Used on Bagpiper Costume	10-4.1 American Indian
10-4.2 Hallmarked - (925) Silver (BM)	10-4.2 Hallmarked-Sterling (925) Silver (BM)	10-4.2 Hallmarked-Sterling (930) Silver (BM) Hallmarks also for Coin (900) and Jewelry (800)	10-4.3 Niello
10-5 Steel Assorted - Attraction to a magnet is a key to identification
10-5.1 Blued/Tinted Applied to all of the button	10-5.1 Blued/Tinted Applied to part of the button	10-5.1 Blued/Tinted Applied to part of the button	10-5.2 Cut and Riveted Tinted steels on brass base
10-5.2 Cut and Riveted - Black Glass OME	10-5.2 Cut and Riveted (on steel)	10-5.3 Engraved/Etched	10-5.4 Flat with applied design/decoration
10-5.5 Stamped/Forged (Tint)	10-5.6 Steel Cup (Brass Center)	10-5.6 Steel Cup (Brass Center)	10-5.6 Steel Cup (Brass Center)
10-5.6 Steel Cup (Brass Center)	10-5.6 Steel Cup (Wood Background)	10-5.6 Steel Cup (Paint DF)	10-5.6 Steel Cup (Shell Center/Watchwheel)
10-5.6 Steel Cup (Brass OME)	10-5.6 Steel Cup (Brass OME)	10-5.6 Steel Cup (Pierced)	10-5.6 Steel Cup (Pierced Border/Pearl Center)
10-6 Tinned White Metals - Pure or block tin buttons very rare
10-6 Tin Plated Zinc (Perforate)	10-6 Crystallized Tin	10-6 Tin Plated Sheet Iron	10-6 Pure "Block" Tin Example not yet found.

Acknowledgments Thanks to Lou Yeargain, Barbara Barrans, Kevin Kinne, June Chapman, Gloria Badger, Jane Quinby, and Jane Perry who assisted in the development of this educational resource. They provided reviews, comments or other support including images or buttons for the examples shown. Potential labeling issues or suggested improvements should be directed to the author at price6@comcast.net. References (1) National Button Society Blue Book - Official NBS Classification and Competition Guidelines - 2011-2012 (2) Hughes, Elizabeth and Marion Lester. The Big Book of Buttons. St Johann Press - 2010