Beautiful non-dug Civil War U.S. Army Engineer's button (SOLD)

This is another great button from the large Civil War collection I am currently working on, it is a non-dug US Army Engineers Coat Button. The device is a spread wing eagle holding a banner in its beak that says, “Essayons” over a brick castle with a sunburst at the lower edge. Essayons is French for “let us try,” and has been the motto of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers since 1819.

The button retains at least 95% of its original gold gilt finish which really shines. The reverse shows an intact upright copper shank with a Civil War period correct makers mark of “ Waterbury Button Co. * Extra *” , this company was formed in 1849. It has an inner and outer row of dots. It measures 23mm and in Tice's book is EG215G, and in Albert's book E6. This button would almost be impossible to upgrade.