Revenue Marine / Revenue Cutter Service

 

~ The Department of Treasury ~

      To insure that the U.S. Treasury received their payment for import duties, Congress established the Revenue Marine Service in 1790. Their primary duty was to prevent smuggling, and ensure the collection of monies owed from imported goods. In 1863, during the Civil War, the Revenue Marine Service was brought under the Navy Department and renamed, “The Revenue Cutter Service.” Even though the Revenue Marines didn’t officially adopt their own insignia until 1834, they used a sort of mixed-federal-branch insignia. They used a U S Treasury Shield and a Horizontal Navy Fouled Anchor. Even though no official regulation existed for what they wore or used, this mixed branch pattern was unofficially used in the early 1820’s.  Sometime after the Civil War ended, the newly re-named “Revenue Cutter Service” changed it’s buttons to bare the initials, “U S.” In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service combined all the services of lifesaving, marines inspection, lighthouse duties, and navigational services into what we call today the modern Coast Guard.

 

 

 

1820’s to 1830’s Revenue Marine

Color: Golden Brass
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 26 mm. Coat Size
Variation: Treasury Shield / Horizontal Fouled Anchor / Chevron with Thirteen Five-Point Stars / Round Dimples.
Albert’s Number: FD 1: RV 25        Isabela’s: RV 50
Tice’s Number: RM 200A.2
Present Condition: A Non Dug Example, Strong Planchet Condition, An Exceptional High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes: This button was made during the 1820’s-30’s, and is the earliest known pattern to be used by Revenue Marine personal. There doesn’t appear to be a separate officer’s pattern that differentiates from their regular personal. We know of at least two coat size die variants. One has larger stars in the chevron, and one has a V-Shape crown on the anchor. The button’s pattern depicts a large Treasury Shield that is surmounted by a Horizontal Fouled Anchor. The anchor’s crown is round with a slightly raised barb. The stock is slightly slanted, and there is a very Thin Relaxed Top Ring (That is barely visible). Within the Treasury shield is a Chevron Pointing Upward with Thirteen Five-Point Stars. Above the chevron is a depiction of a Balanced Scale. Under the chevron is a Period Type Key on a field of Round raised Dimples. The high relief pattern is set on a flat lined field that is within an oval picture frame border with a pipe rope trim.
Reverse Button Analysis: A one-piece button with a loop shank. The original shank is bent upward. .*. U.STATES.*. /REVENUE SERVICE rm

 

 

 

1820’s to 1830’s Revenue Marine

Color: A Sea Green with Golden Highlights
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 26mm. Coat Size
Variation: Treasury Shield / Horizontal Fouled Anchor / Chevron Pointing Upward with Thirteen Large Five-Point Stars / Balanced Scales.
Albert’s Number: FD 1:              Isabela’s: RV 75
Tice’s Number: RM 200B.2
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, Good Planchet Condition, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes:  This has a slight variation from the specimen above. This is also one of the earliest known pattern to be used by the Revenue Marines. There doesn’t appear to be an officer’s pattern that differentiates from regular personal. There are at least two die variants. One has larger stars in the chevron, and the other has a V-Shape crown on the anchor. The button’s pattern depicts a large Treasury Shield that is surmounted by a Horizontal Fouled Anchor. The anchor’s crown is round with a slightly raised barb. The stock is slightly slanted, and there is a very Thin Relaxed Top Ring (That is barely visible). Within the Treasury shield is a Chevron Pointing Upward with Thirteen Five-Point Stars. Above the chevron is a depiction of a Balanced Scale. Under the chevron is a Period Type Key on a field of Round raised Dimples. The high relief pattern is set on a flat lined field that is within a flat oval picture frame border with an outside Pipe Rope Trim.
Reverse Button Analysis: A one-piece button with a loop shank. The original shank is bent upward. .*. U.STATES.*.REVENUE SERVICE rm

The RJ Silverstein Collection.

 

 

 

1835-40’s Revenue Marine

Color: Brass Yellow.
Metal: Convex, 2-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 21mm.       Coat Size
Albert’s Number: FD 3: RV 10
Tice’s Number: RM206A.1
Variation: Treasury Shield / Horizontal Fouled Anchor / Lined Chevron Field with Thirteen Five-Point Stars / Roundish Barbed Crown.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes: This button was made from the mid 1830s all the way through the 1840’s. There were 2 die patterns made. One for the coat and another for the cuff. The only difference between the 2 die patterns was the coat had a lined chevron field and the cuff didn’t.  The button’s pattern depicts a large Treasury Shield with a Horizontal Fouled Anchor surmounted above. The anchor had a Roundish Barbed Crown. This pattern does not depict a top ring. Within the shield is a Lined Chevron Pointing Upward with Thirteen Five-Point Stars. Above the chevron is the depiction of a Balanced Scale. Under the chevron is a Period Type Key on a field of round raised Stipples. The high relief pattern is set on an evenly lined field. There is a Port Picture Frame border with a plain thin angled raised edge. This has a thin outside-edge Pipe Rope trim.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a two-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. . R & W. ROBINSON dm on the banner ribbon with swallow tail ends and an EAGLE depiction.

Picture Courteous of Harry Ridgeway.

 

 

 

 

1850’s Revenue Marine

Color: Brass Yellow With Hints of Green.
Metal: Convex, 2-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 22mm. Coat Size
Albert’s Number: FD 4:       RV 10
Tice’s Number: RM209A.3
Variation: Treasury Shield / Horizontal Fouled Anchor / Chevron Pointing Upward with Thirteen Five-Point Stars / Balanced Scales.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes: During the 1850-1860’s there were several variations of this pattern made. Some later manufactured patterns included 7, 9, or 11 Crosses instead of Stars within the chevron, rope edge variation, and some bore the US initials on the obverse. The button’s pattern depicts a large Treasury Shield with a surmounting Horizontal Fouled Anchor with a Roundish Crown. In this die variant there is a Thin Relaxed Top Ring. Within the shield is a Chevron Pointing Upward with Thirteen Five-Point Stars. Above the chevron is the depiction of a Balanced Scale. Under the chevron is a Period Type Key on a field of round raised dimples. The high relief pattern is set on an evenly lined field. There is a Port Picture Frame border with a plain thin angled raised edge. This has a thin outside-edge Pipe Rope trim.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a two-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. * D. EVANS & CO. * ATTLEBORO * MASS dm, Hyphens around shank well, and depressed well for shank.

 

 

 

1850’s Revenue Marine

Color: Aged Brass Gold.
Metal: Convex, 2-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 22.95 mm. Coat Size
Albert’s Number: FD 4:      RV 10
Tice’s Number: RM209A.2
Variation: Treasury Shield / Round Dimples / Chevron with Thirteen Five-Point Stars / Balanced Scales.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Specimen, Exceptional Planchet Condition, An Exceptional High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes: This button was acquired from items once owned by Albert G. Browne. He was the supervising agent for the US Treasury Dept. During the Civil War he would have worn this button while he was serving along side of General Sherman during his Georgia campaign. Albert Browne was also the man credited with the idea of General Sherman giving President Lincoln the city of Savannah for Christmas of 1864. The Revenue Marine Service was established in 1790 under the US Treasury Dept. insure against smuggling, and receive monies owed for import/export duties. This specific button was most likely a transitional button before changing into the Revenue Cutter Service in 1863; when it was brought under the Navy Department. During this time period of 1850-60’s several variations of the pattern are noted. Some later manufactured patterns included 7, 9, or 11 Crosses instead of Stars within the chevron, rope edge variation, and some bore the US initials on the obverse. In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service combined all the services of lifesaving, marine inspections, lighthouse duties, and navigational services into what we call today the modern Coast Guard. The example above is a pre-civil war button that was worn by Revenue Marine personal. As noted prior, there doesn’t appear to be an officer’s pattern that differentiates from personal. The button’s pattern depicts a Horizontal Fouled Anchor surmounting a large Treasury Shield. Within the shield is a Chevron Pointing Upward with Thirteen Five-Point Stars. Above the chevron is the depiction of a Balanced Scale. Under the chevron is a Period Type Key on a field of round raised dimples. The high relief pattern is set on an evenly lined convex field. There is a Port Picture Frame border with a thin angled raised border that has an outside Pipe Rope edge.

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a two-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. * D. EVANS & CO. * ATTLEBORO * MASS dm depressed well for shank.

The RJ Silverstein Collection.

*

 

1859-1869 Revenue Cutter Service

Color: Scuffed Brass Yellow.
Metal: Low Convex, 2-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 23mm. Coat Size
Albert’s Number: FD 8-A:    RV 3
Tice’s Number: RM221A.1
Variation: V-Shaped Anchor Crown /Large Relaxed Anchor Ring / Chevron with 7 Crosses / Oval Dimples.
Present Condition: A Non Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, An Exceptional High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes: This button was first made by Steele & Johnson in 1859, and then continued on until the late 1860’s. There appears to be at least two pattern variations with 3 backmarks. This button’s pattern depicts a Horizontal Fouled Anchor that is surmounting a large Treasury Shield. The anchor depicts a Large Relaxed Top Ring and a V-Shaped Crown. Within the shield is a Chevron Pointing Upward with Seven Crosses. Above the chevron is the depiction of a Balanced Scale. Under the chevron is a Period Type Key on a field of raised Oval Dimples. The high relief pattern is set on a low-convex evenly lined field. There is a Port Picture Frame border with a plain thin angled raised edge. This has a thin outside- edge Pipe Rope trim.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a two-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. HORSTMAN & ALLIEN / . N Y . dm with inner rays. 

 

 

1859-1869 Revenue Cutter Service

Color: Bright Brass Yellow.
Metal: Low Convex, 2-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 23mm. Coat Size
Albert’s Number: FD 8-B:     RV 3
Tice’s Number: RM221B.1
Variation: Horizontal Fouled Anchor / Thin Relaxed Anchor Ring / Chevron with 7 Crosses / Oval Dimples.
Present Condition: A Non Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, An Exceptional High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes: This button was first made by Steele & Johnson in 1859, and then continued on until the late 1860’s. There appears to be at least two pattern variations with 3 backmarks. This button’s pattern depicts a Horizontal Fouled Anchor surmounting a large Treasury Shield. The anchor depicts a Thin Relaxed Top Ring with a V-Shaped Crown. Within the shield is a Chevron Pointing Upward with Seven Crosses. Above the chevron is the depiction of a Balanced Scale. Under the chevron is a Period Type Key on a field of raised Oval Dimples. The high relief pattern is set on a low-convex evenly lined field. There is a Port Picture Frame border with a plain thin angled raised edge. This has a thin outside-edge Pipe Rope trim.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a two-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. * HORSTMAN BROS & CO * / PHIL dm between 2 concentric rings of dots. 

 

 

 

1860’s The Revenue Cutter Service

Color: Antique Brass Brown.
Metal: Low Convex, 2-Piece, Raised Design, Brass.
Size: 23mm. Coat Size
Albert’s Number: FD 9-A.1: RV 3
Tice’s Number: Unlisted
Variation: Horizontal Fouled Anchor / U S Initials / Round Dimples / Chevron Pointing Upward with 9 Crosses.
Present Condition: A Non Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, An Exceptional High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes: This button is the last Revenue Cutter Service button to depict the anchor pointing slightly downward to the right with it’s fluke over the shield. There was a new change and the anchor is now depicted pointing upward and above the shield. This button’s pattern depicts a Horizontal Fouled Anchor surmounting a large Treasury Shield. The anchor has a Roundish Crown with a small Barb. The top of the shaft has a Thin Relaxed Top Ring.  Within the shield is a Chevron Pointing Upward with Nine Crosses. Above the chevron is the depiction of a Balanced Scale. Under the chevron is a Period Type Key on a field of Round raised Dimples. Flanking each side of the Treasury shield is the United States initials, “U S” in raised capital letters. The high relief pattern is set on a low-convex evenly lined field. There is a Port Picture Frame border with a plain thin angled raised edge. This has a thin outside-edge Pipe Rope trim.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a two-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. * HORSTMAN BROS & CO * / PHIL dm between 2 concentric rings of dots.

 

 

 

1866-70 The Revenue Cutter Service

Color: Antique Brass Brown.
Metal: Low Convex, 2-Piece, Raised Design, Brass.
Size: 21mm. Coat Size
Albert’s Number: FD 10-B: RV 3
Tice’s Number: Unlisted
Variation: Small Horizontal Fouled Anchor / U S Initials / Round Dimples / A Chevron with 13 Stars.
Present Condition: A Non Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes: This is the first button to depict the new pattern. The anchor is now shown pointing more upward and is sitting well above the shield. The anchor crown’s fluke no longer covers over the top of the Treasury shield. There appears to be 2 die variants for this pattern. The only difference between the two patterns is the space between the anchor’s fluke and the raised circular picture fame edge. This button’s pattern depicts a Small Horizontal Fouled Anchor laying on a Cable or Rope. The anchor has a Roundish Crown with a small raised Barb. In this die variant the Anchor’s fluke touches the picture frame border. Within the shield is a Chevron Pointing Upward with 13 Five Pointed Stars. Above the chevron is the depiction of a Balanced Scale. Under the chevron is a Period Type Key on a field of Small Round raised Dimples. Flanking each side of the Treasury shield is the United States initials, “U S” in raised capital letters. The high relief pattern is set on an evenly lined convex field. There is a Port Picture Frame border with a plain thin angled raised edge. Circling the outside-edge is a medium size Pipe Rope trim.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a two-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. 

 

 

 

Late 1860’s The Last Revenue Cutter Service Button?

Color: Antique Brass Yellow-Green.
Metal: Low Convex, 2-Piece, Raised Design, Brass.
Size: 25mm. Coat Size
Albert’s Number: FD 13-B: RV 2
Tice’s Number: Unlisted
Variation: Small Fouled Anchor/ U-shaped Crown / 
Present Condition: A Non Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Isabela’s Notes: There appears to be 2 die variants for this new larger size pattern. Scovill’s produced a die with the rope passing over the anchor’s shaft. The 2nd die variant with the Waterbury back mark has the rope passing under the anchor’s shaft.  This button’s pattern depicts a Small Eagle with Downward Facing Wing Tips. The Eagle surmounts a Small Fouled Anchor with a Large Roundish U-Shaped Crown. Flanking around the anchor’s crown is an Oak Wreath. Above the eagle is the initials for Revenue Cutter Service, “RCS.” Circling around the outside of the inner pattern is a large raised Rope. The high relief pattern is set on an evenly lined convex field. 
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a two-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. WATERBURY BUTTON CO / WATERBURY CONN