The Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway
	Winchester, Virginia  Civil War buttons bought and sold
	relicman.com

Ridgeway Reference Archive, Civil War buttons
Catalog of button backmarks 
"Best....." backmarks

"Plated....." are quality denoted backmarks, generally stock items.

Most information on this page is from Tice's book, Dating Buttons..., the pictures are generally from buttons that I have handled. 

Best01, (22mm)

Backmark:  "BEST / (star) (star) PLATED (star) (star)" rm, high concave one piece back, may be English manufacture 1830's, (Best01). 
Tice, not listed.

B5064     Virginia button, state seal Virtus slaying the tyrant with sword up, high convex one piece, Best Plated rm, (22mm) Ref: Albert VA3, not listed, Tice VA110A1.

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Best02, (24.5mm)

Backmark:  "BEST  PLATED (in script) / LONDON" dm two inner rings, flat one piece button, English producer 1820's or 1830's, (Best02).
Tice, not listed.

B2615     Massachusetts button, state seal Native American holding bow and arrow, one part flat, silvered, Best Plated London, (24.5mm) Ref: Albert MS19, not listed, Tice MS036A1.

Best03, (20mm)

Backmark:  "BEST  PLATED. / (star) LONDON. (star)" rm between two solid rings, convex back, English producer 1820's or 1830's, (Best03).
Tice, not listed.

B4179     General service or militia button, eagle facing right, 17 stars, one part low convex, Best Plated London rm, (19.8mm)
 

Best04, (20mm)

Backmark:  "BEST  / (star) QUALITY (star)" rm inner solid ring, convex back, English producer 1820's or 1830's, (Best04).
Tice, not listed.

Best10, (23mm)

Backmark: "BEST  MERCURY / (star)" dm inner ring, back is flat and was spun in finishing, likely English manufacuture, (Best10).
Tice, not listed.

B4219     Federal Navy button, eagle over horizontal anchor, fluke is in front of wing, Best Mercury Gilt, (23mm)