Buttons are a fascinating subject as most things are if you take the time to look a little deeper. There are a myriad of different types and materials used, and probably more than any other commonly found artefact,  can tell you a lot about the status and life of the original owner.

As detectorists, we probably find more old metal buttons and fasteners than anything else. A lot of them will be just plain metal discs, so it’s always a pleasure to find one that’s a bit special.  Some are obviously quite old. But just how old? Below is a rough guide to British metal buttons through the ages, which will help you put a date and period to your finds. For more detailed information and resources visit http://finds.org.uk/