Old buttons are something that is found in almost every home, yet most people don’t realize how much these tiny accessories can be worth today. Good vintage buttons can cost as little as a dollar, while rare antique ones can bring far more.
In this guide, we will show you some easy ways to identify vintage buttons, understand what makes some rare and valuable, and work out how much yours could be worth.
The 12 examples show that the value of old buttons can range from $100 to over a $1,000+ for rare ones, while common ones sell for only a few dollars.
A Short History of Antique Buttons
Buttons are ancient, but their creativity stood out only during the 18th century, when they were handmade. But not too long after, the Industrial Revolution led to the mass production of buttons in all sorts of materials, making them affordable.
Since then, many artistic forms of buttons have become popular. Be it prints of animals, flowers, or lovers’ portraits. They were even used as patriotic symbols during war, rallying spirits amongst people.
Though smaller than a dime, vintage buttons represent thousands of such stories. For generations, this has been a popular accessory, and button collecting is still an active hobby.
It became a craze in the US in the 1930s, and the National Button Society, founded in 1938, still has state and local clubs that hold button shows. Chances are you have a tin of them too.
How to Identify Vintage and Antique Buttons
Identifying and dating authentic antique and vintage buttons needs a deep understanding of their composition, materials, and designs.
If you’re new to this, start with these four things: the material, how the button was made, any marks on the back, and the style of the design. Here’s what each one tells you.
Materials
When learning how to spot a real vintage button, the first rule of thumb is to know its composition – is it porcelain, metal, glass, or another material? It can be a good dating clue. Here’s how:
Natural Materials:
- Wood buttons – Often used in the 1700s. These are lightweight with visible marks.
- Bone, horn, and ivory buttons – Common on everyday clothes in the 1700s and 1800s.
- Shell buttons – Known for their raw iridescence effect, made by hand for centuries, then mass-produced in the US from the 1890s from river mussel shells.
- Gemstone-made buttons – Heavy and often well-polished.
- Vegetable Ivory (tagua nut) – Common material for buttons during the 1860s to 1950s.
Metal, Glass & Man-Made Materials:
- Metallic buttons – Brass, pewter, silver, or gold, common in early times.
- Glass buttons – Fragile but very popular, especially in the Victorian period. Black glass buttons are often called ‘jet’, but real jet is a mineral related to coal; Queen Victoria wore it while in mourning for Prince Albert.
- Porcelain or china buttons – Fired clay buttons, mass-produced by the pressed-clay (Prosser) method from the 1840s on.
- Celluloid buttons – One of the earliest plastics, were mostly from the 1870s to the 1950s.
- Bakelite buttons – Bakelite was invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907 (patented 1909), and these buttons are collectible because of their durability.
There are other buttons made of rhinestone, lucite, resin, pearl, and such, but their age can vary based on other features.
Manufacturing Techniques
You can easily identify authentic vintage buttons by their production style, as pieces from different eras vary because of how they were made.
Handmade Buttons:
Hand-carved buttons were predominant in the early 18th and 19th centuries. They are unique in shape, size, and texture, lacking mold lines.
Machine-Made Buttons:
In the late 19th century, buttons were being produced with machines. So, they have uniform shapes and sizes, plus visible mold lines. These buttons, either on their edges or backs, show evidence of industrial production, like mechanical cutting marks and seam lines.
Mold Casting:
Craftsmen used to make buttons by pouring molten metal into button molds, which was a common technique from the 17th century to the mid-18th century. You can spot these by visible mold marks and seam lines on the back and around the eye/shank.
Stamped Buttons:
These buttons were made with thin, uniform metal discs (mostly brass) flattened by the stamping process. They were generally quite thin and had shanks separately soldered (not cast) onto the back. You will find clean and cutting marks on these.
Electroplating & Gilding:
Some vintage buttons may also have base metals like brass, copper, and steel that were electroplated with gold or silver to replicate the high-end look. Some examples may have marks for the same.
In some ceramic and porcelain pieces, you may also find elaborate gilding work.
Markings & Stamps (Backmarks)
After the techniques, the next important sign to identify a rare vintage button is its markings. Marks and stamps can authenticate a lot of things, like its material purity, brand, and origin.
Generally, you will find the following types of marks on old buttons:
- Hallmarks – These are small stamps indicating the use of precious metal buttons, such as silver or gold. They confirm the authenticity of the buttons, like “Sterling” or “925” for silver and “14K” for gold pieces.
- Manufacturer’s Marks – Buttons with the maker’s name, logo, and motto, often with a city or address, show authenticity. You may find these stamped or engraved on the back. (That’s why they’re also called backmarks)
- Patent Marks – Certain vintage buttons also show patent numbers, often found on the back, box, or packaging. This mark helps to confirm that a button is original and not a later reproduction. You may see marks like, “PAT’D 1888,” “PAT. NO. 123456,” and “PAT. PEND.” or “PAT. APPL’D FOR.”
- Unique Markings – Special buttons from the military or war may have initials or regiment symbols. U.S. buttons often feature a letter over the shield or within the design to indicate a branch.
Design Styles & Motifs by Era
The design on old buttons reflects the artistic and cultural trends of its time, making it key to dating and identification. Here’s a quick guide to date a button based on the designs & motifs:
- The 1700s Pieces – These mostly show late Baroque and Rococo styles, with floral patterns and geometric designs. People consider these styles luxurious because of their regal appearance.
- Victorian Era Buttons (1837-1901) – These mostly feature soft romantic motifs like ornate, pictorial, floral, and mythological figures. Because the buttons were hand-painted and tinted, collectors value them.
- Edwardian Buttons (1901-1910) – You’ll commonly find lacy filigree and delicate floral patterns on these pieces, mostly featuring pearls and shells.
- Art Nouveau Buttons (1890-1910) – Art Nouveau buttons are popular for their feminine and pretty artworks. You’ll find faces of women (cameos), butterflies, and nature-inspired curves.
- Art Deco Buttons (1920-1930) – Pieces from the 1920s-1930s were bold. They had geometric patterns like sunbursts, zigzags, pyramids, etc., and materials like Bakelite. It’s still a high-end and minimalist piece.
- World War Era Buttons (1930-1940s) – During wartime, designs became modest. The military buttons featured insignia like the US Great Seal eagle, anchors, or state seals. People collect war buttons as memorials.
6 Factors That Decide Vintage Buttons’ Value
Once you know you have a real antique or vintage button, the next step is to find out whether it’s worth $10, $100, $1,000, or more.
You can do so by analyzing the following factors:
Age
Age plays a foundational role in determining an old button’s value. Collectors consider buttons that are at least 100 years old as valuable antiques, while those from the early 20th century fall under the vintage category.
And generally, antique buttons fetch more premium prices than vintage or retro ones.
While you can use the above clues to date your piece, the following aging signs can also be of good help:
- Natural patina
- Discoloration in areas (especially on natural materials, like bone, shell, etc)
- Natural staining
- Softened backmarks or any other engraved details
- Fine crazing
- Yellowing on plastics
- Tool marks and irregularity (indicate hand-made production)
Rarity & Uniqueness
Like all old items, rarity can drastically impact the value of old buttons; the rarer the piece, the higher the worth.
Now, a vintage button becomes rare when it is made in limited quantities, uses unique materials, or serves a specific purpose.
Similarly, limited pieces created for special events, uniforms, or exclusive fashion lines of high-end brands, especially with handcrafting or artist-signed designs, are also rather rare today.
The use of rare techniques, like reverse painting and cut-steel mounting, can also make old buttons rare.
Condition
The condition of a button matters a lot in assessing its value. Pieces in excellent condition, free from chips, cracks, fading, or restoration, are significantly more valuable than those showing wear or damage.
Collectors keenly examine flaws that can affect the appearance and, hence, worth of vintage buttons. So, you must also look for these conditions carefully:
- Cracks in glass, plastic, or enamel
- Deep rust or corrosion in metal buttons
- Chips or missing fragments
- Warping, especially in celluloid or Bakelite
- Broken shanks
- Poor restoration, like visible glue, paint mismatches
These signs are red flags and can seriously reduce an old button’s monetary value.
Completeness (Sets and Cards)
There’s no doubt that people, especially collectors, love complete sets more than individual buttons. The more complete and original the collection, the greater the value.
The collection can be of the same buttons from the same garment, pieces from the same Manufacturer or line, or full uniform or costume sets.
Makers’ Reputation
The markings on vintage buttons not only help in identification, but also drive their value. A well-known maker’s mark can add a lot more value to an otherwise ordinary button.
Below are some highly renowned brands that collectors look for:
- Waterbury Button Company – Best known for military and uniform buttons, plus many picture buttons for everyday wear. You will find marks such as “WATERBURY BUTTON CO.” on the back, often with “CONN.” or “WATERBURY CON.”
- Blumenthal and Company – A large New York button importer and maker whose lines included fashionable glass buttons. Look for marks that say “La Mode” and “Le Chic” to verify the original pieces.
- Harvey Chalmers & Son – Known for their pearl buttons, often sold on cards printed “Bonnie Heather Pearls”. Their signature cards are themselves collectible, making their buttons valuable.
- N.S. Meyer – A respectable New York maker of US military insignia and buttons, often marked “N.S. Meyer” or “N.S. Meyer Inc.” on the back. Sometimes, “New York” also appears beneath the name.
You can find these marks on the back side of the buttons, the box provided, inside the top screw buttons, or any card attached to it.
Documentation & Provenance
Antique buttons with a verifiable history, such as having been owned by a famous person, used in a significant event, or part of a well-documented collection, are more attractive to collectors.
But you need something to prove the provenance. That’s why documentation, such as original packaging or box, receipts, labels, tags, sales receipts, or catalogs, is quite valuable.
12 Rare Antique Buttons Worth Money (With Real eBay Prices)
The following examples (based on real sales) will tell you how exactly the above factors impact the value of old buttons. Each has its price under the photo, plus the details you should check.
1. Iconic Victorian Picture Button
- Material: Brass
- Design: Kate Greenaway’s Baby Sweethearts art
- Color: Black and Golden
- Era: 1880-1910
Victorian picture buttons are among the most ornate and diverse pieces in button history. These pieces mostly feature the sweet faces of children, just like this classic example.
It shows renowned illustrator Kate Greenaway’s artwork with two kids sitting in a boat. You’ll see finely engraved floral and vine motifs on the front and a soldered shank on the back. Such rare metal buttons can fetch $1,000 or more, as this one did.
2. Vintage Wobble Shank Trouser Buttons
- Material: Metal
- Designs: Brand and advertising designs (train, Capitol dome, star and moon)
- Color: Multiple
- Era: Early 1900s
Wobble shank buttons are those that have loosely attached shanks, letting the button pivot or “wobble.” Most single work-clothes buttons are worth a few dollars: this lot of 110 sold for almost $265, about $2.40 a button.
These types were made to reduce stress on the fabric and prevent wear. People often used them on heavier garments like coats and uniforms in the late 19th to early 20th century.
3. Vintage Gucci Sterling Enamel Buttons
- Material: Sterling Silver & Enamel
- Design: Simple enamel work
- Color: Blue on Gold
- Estimated Era: Vintage
Gucci’s vintage enamel buttons are now luxury fashion accents. When designer branding became prominent later, the buttons often featured the classic Gucci logo or equestrian motifs.
Some pieces might also feature ‘Gucci Italy’ marked on them. Since this is a complete boxed set of seven, it sold for $125.00.
4. Revolutionary War USA Officer Pewter Coat Button
- Material: Pewter
- Design: Militaria
- Color: Grey (worn pewter)
- Estimated Era: 1775-1783 (seller’s dating)
This worn pewter coat button was sold as an authentic Revolutionary War (1775–1783) officer’s button. Its design is too worn to read, so that dating rests on the seller’s description.
It was listed at $500.00 and sold via best offer (which could be lower). Military collectors pay more for buttons whose Revolutionary War origin can be confirmed.
5. Japanese Satsuma Porcelain Buttons
- Material: Porcelain
- Color: Multiple
- Design: Hand-painted figures, flowers, leaves, and rabbits
- Era: Modern (listed as new)
Hand-painted Satsuma buttons from Japan are popular with collectors, with designs such as cherry blossom (sakura), figures, maple leaves, and rabbits, like the ones shown here.
Check the condition line before you call a set vintage, though. Also, single buttons usually sell for modest prices.
6. Antique 1920s Portuguese Buttons
- Material: Painted composition (likely plaster of Paris)
- Color: Multiple
- Design: Portuguese cultural symbols
- Era: 1920s
These themed buttons reflect Portuguese culture. Their designs are highly figurative and whimsical. As they are handcrafted and painted, buttons like these are highly sought after for their rare folk art.
This collection is said to have been presented and signed in 1979 by Diana Epstein, co-founder of the well-known New York button shop Tender Buttons.
7. Victorian Turquoise Blue Gold Painted Glass Buttons
- Material: Painted glass
- Color: Blue and Gold
- Design: Flower
- Era: Victorian
These painted glass buttons, sold as Victorian, indicate the artistic work from that period. With hand-painted floral patterns in turquoise blue and gold, the pieces also have loop shanks at the back.
Antique buttons with such elaborate hand-painted gold work are highly desirable. Based on condition and number of pieces, a matching set can sell for over $100.
8. Vintage Glass Calico Buttons
- Material: China (porcelain), often sold as glass
- Design: Calico
- Color: Multicolour with white base
- Era: Late 1840s to early 1900s
Just like the name hints, these buttons were made to match the iconic plain, crisscross calico fabric. The designs usually have floral or geometric calico prints.
These are china buttons made by the pressed-clay method linked to Prosser and Minton in England after 1840, and calico versions were made in the US after 1848, according to a University of Nebraska archaeology report.
Collectors still look for them, though common calicos sell for a few dollars each; large lots like this example can fetch up to a few hundred dollars.
9. Vintage Italian Micro Mosaic Art Glass Buttons
- Material: Art Glass
- Design: Floral
- Color: Blue, Green, Red & Pink
- Era: 1900s onwards
This is a set of seven micro-mosaic art glass buttons. Mosaic glass buttons are common, but the most famous are the micro mosaic ones: tiny pieces of colored glass (tesserae) set into a metal frame to make a picture, here a pink flower.
These are completely handmade and may have imperfections like tiny bubbles and signs of wear, which make them unique.
10. Vintage 22K Gold Cufflink Buttons
- Material: 22k Gold
- Design: Simple ribbed pattern
- Color: Golden
- Era: Vintage
Most gold-colored vintage buttons are gold-plated brass or other alloys, so solid gold ones like these (sold as 22K, 3.29 grams) are unusual. This is a set of golden cufflink buttons, a men’s accessory that adorns high-fashion garments, uniforms, and designer coats.
The box lining reads “Ed. Feyt Peeters … Bruxelles”, a jeweler in Brussels, Belgium. The well-kept box with clear branding helped this set sell for $299.00 after 10 bids.
11. Vintage Taxco Silver Buttons
- Material: Silver
- Design: Beaded border
- Color: Silver
- Era: 1930s to 1950s
These vintage buttons from Taxco, Mexico, are made of authentic silver with 980/1000 purity. These buttons embody the rich tradition of artisanal work, featuring a detailed rope-like border design. This matching set of 12 sold for almost $140.
Handy Tip: Don’t forget to look for purity hallmarks on buttons made of silver or gold.
12. Colt Plastic Cameo Rouge Button
- Material: Plastic
- Design: Cameo rouge
- Color: Purple
- Era: Post-1950s
This vintage button featuring a high-relief cameo of a lady in lavender is from a prominent American manufacturer, Colt Plastics Company. Their collections represent quality designs of figurines, novelties, and abstracts.
These buttons are often self-shanked and have a screw top (meaning two pieces), under which you will find the “COLT” marking. Due to its ornate cameo, this piece sold for over $445, despite being plastic.
Where to Sell Old Buttons?
Yes, you can sell old buttons, and the best place depends on what you have:
- Mixed tins and common lots: eBay or Etsy. Simply search sold listings for the same material and type as yours, and price against completed sales. If a lot includes ivory, check the marketplace rules first.
- Single rare buttons (picture, military or early metal buttons): button shows, and clubs reach serious collectors who know what they are paying for.
- Not sure what you have: ask a local button club before you sell. Members can help you tell glass from china, or Bakelite from later plastic.
You can spot a rare button in your own collection, in the drawers of an old sewing cabinet, or in a large lot at a flea market. And if it’s a Singer sewing machine you’re looking at, our guide can help you date that too.
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