Preserving History: Expert Conservation Strategies for George Washington Inaugural Buttons (Including Suspect Variants)

I’ve Held Too Many Heartbreaking Relics – Protect Yours With These Expert Tips

After three decades preserving 18th and 19th-century artifacts, I’ve cradled too many historical treasures reduced to corroded shadows by misguided “care.” That controversial $2,575 eBay sale of the purported small-size Washington inaugural button – now sparking fiery collector debates – perfectly illustrates why we must protect even questionable pieces. Whether this unusual 23-24mm variant proves to be a rare variety, centennial souvenir, or modern reproduction, its conservation demands our collective expertise.

Why Washington Inaugural Buttons Make Collectors’ Hearts Race

True 1789 George Washington inaugural buttons represent the holy grail of American political memorabilia. Picture this: gleaming brass or copper disks measuring 34mm across, crowned with elegant script proclaiming “G.W. INAUGURATED PRESIDENT” encircling a proud federal shield. Only a few dozen confirmed survivors grace major collections, their provenance meticulously documented through Stack’s Bowers and Heritage Auctions catalogs spanning generations.

This controversial small-size variant? It’s either a fascinating 19th-century commemorative (perhaps from the 1889 centennial) or a clever fake – but either way, it deserves our protection. As sharp-eyed forum members noted, authentic 1789 specimens show telltale thinness compared to later issues – a crucial detail affecting both authentication and conservation approach.

The Great Size Debate: Why Every Artifact Matters

When this puzzling 23-24mm button surfaced on eBay, seasoned collectors immediately raised eyebrows at its unusual proportions. While some optimists whispered “rare variety,” others pointed to the seller’s troubling history of moving questionable goods. One forum sage cut through the noise with devastating simplicity:

“That’s odd for the seller to relist. Now that I look closer, the seller has LOTS of negative feedback for selling fakes. I guess that answers that.” – Forum Participant

Here’s the numismatic truth that separates hobbyists from historians: Even confirmed reproductions hold historical value. Future researchers may study them to understand our era’s collecting passions or reproduction techniques. That’s why proper conservation transcends mere collectibility – it’s about preserving history’s full story.

Your Artifact Survival Guide: Expert Preservation Tactics

1. Cherish That Rainbow Glow – The Patina Paradox

Nothing enhances a copper-alloy button’s eye appeal like natural toning – those breathtaking rainbows born from century-long sulfur dances. This living patina:

• Acts as nature’s perfect protective coating
• Boosts numismatic value when undisturbed
• Serves as authentication evidence (specific toning patterns match historical periods)

But uncontrolled corrosion tells a different story:

• Crumbly green verdegris devouring surfaces
• Pitted landscapes from chloride attacks
• Chalky white zinc oxide blooms on tombak alloys

For our mysterious small button, forum images suggest artificial toning – a common reproduction trick. Authentic or not, store all copper alloys at 35-40% humidity using silica gel in airtight containers. That rainbow could be your best provenance clue!

2. PVC – The Silent Collection Killer

Beware the soft plastic flips silently murdering artifacts! Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) releases acidic plasticizers that:

• Etch permanent “PVC weep” residues into metal
• Accelerate corrosion through chemical warfare
• Demand immediate professional intervention if caught early

Spot that telltale greenish film like forum members did? Spring into action:

1. Evacuate from plastic immediately
2. Bathe in distilled water (gently now!)
3. Blot dry with museum-grade cloth
4. Summon a conservator ASAP

3. Fort Knox for Buttons: Housing Your History

For Washington inaugural buttons – especially controversial beauties like our small friend – choose storage like you’re preserving the Constitution itself:

• Archival 2×2 cardboard holders with crystal-clear Mylar
• Inert acrylic capsules worthy of museum coins
• Acid-free felt-lined numismatic trays

Banish these destroyers from your collection:

• PVC-containing plastics (if it bends easily, beware!)
• Rubber bands ready to etch their story into metal
• Naked button stacks inviting collision damage

Remember – questionable provenance demands impeccable storage. Future authentication may require surface analysis ruined by today’s careless housing.

4. Cleaning Historical Buttons: Just Don’t!

Repeat after me: “No cleaning without conservator supervision!” As forum experts noted, subtle details like lettering strike quality distinguish originals from copies – details obliterated by overzealous cleaning. Those fragile 1789 originals?

“My experience has been the original pieces from 1789 are thin. The 1889 pieces are thicker.” – Forum Member

Handle inherited corrosion with reverence:

• Document every angle before touching
• Consult NUMI-affiliated conservators
• Prioritize stabilization over restoration

For our debated small button? Cleaning could erase the very evidence needed to unravel its origins. Sometimes, patience is the greatest preservation tool.

Conclusion: You’re History’s Keeper Now

Whether safeguarding a confirmed 1789 Washington treasure or puzzling over variants like this 23-24mm enigma, remember: Your choices echo through history. That $2,575 eBay price reflects not just market value, but our sacred duty as collectors.

Master these pillars of preservation:

• The alchemy of natural patina vs. destructive corrosion
• PVC’s insidious threat to mint condition
• Archival housing standards for maximum protectio
• The cardinal rule of professional cleaning

Every artifact conserved becomes a gift to future generations. When facing authentication mysteries like our controversial button, embrace the conservator’s creed: Minimal intervention, maximum documentation, and always – always – consult the experts. Our collective past depends on it.

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