This one is way out of my line, but recently got a small grouping of Veteran lapel buttons from a flea market. Most of them I know something about, but in the case of this Spanish American War item it has a mark on the back that I would like to know a little more about.

I know it is from a veteran's organization and was not an official item such as those from WW1 and WW2. It measures about 9/16 inch across. What I am curious about is the marking on the back of U.S.S. MAINE. Did this signify that the button was made from material salvaged from the Maine?

Thanks for any information you can supply.

I suspect this may in fact signify that the lapel badge was made from U.S.S. Maine salvage. Early Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Civil War veteran lapel buttons were made from captured Confederate cannon. So, it is reasonable that a SAW veteran badge would be made from Maine scrap, although I have not seen this marking before.

I suspect this may in fact signify that the lapel badge was made from U.S.S. Maine salvage. Early Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Civil War veteran lapel buttons were made from captured Confederate cannon. So, it is reasonable that a SAW veteran badge would be made from Maine scrap, although I have not seen this marking before.

 

The Moderator is correct, and though seen so marked, it is not common.

Hello, This is Nick Penachio. I am very interest in Span- Am medals. What you have is "Yes" an actual piece of the USS Maine bronze that was cast into a lapel pin. They are quite interesting and valuable pieces to Span-Am War medal collectors. It is a copy of the United Spanish American War full size medal. To the right person and there are many it could be worth 100.00 or more because of the US Navy and USS Maine association. Nice Find for a Flea Market! Regards Nick