posted 08-23-2005 08:59 PM            

A South Carolina Coin silver collector just advised me to go to a completed auction and look at this item.. WOW does not describe it. "Orgasmic" describes it better, but not completely... enough of my ranting..
Go look for yourself!

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Old South Carolina Royalists Buckle, Revolutionary?"
7343647403

Here we have a very old or antique piece that is quite interesting. It is defiantly hand tooled or engraved, and most likely silver. It has darkened with years and it was found with some other items in a jewelry box that included some DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) type more modern items. This piece is oval and about 2.25 inches long and just a tad over 1.75 inches tall. We thought at first it was a regular belt buckle but think it is more likely a military buckle for use with some type of gear, accouterments, more of a badge identification piece. It might be a piece for a military hat also as it is appears to be in the correct position when it is upright in position. Anyway, what makes this interesting is that it has an engraved tree, like a pine tree, with a crown at the top, some Latin words, and "So. CAROLINA ROYALIST" engraved upon it. The engraved artwork and lettering is of craftsman quality as the pictures show. The Latin works in various places are as best we can make out " "HONI - SOIT - QUI" , "MAL -Y- PENSE", on the outer parts of the badge. On the banner at the base of the tree we think "SUB REGE FLORESCIT". Also, under the crown as we "G" and "R" or "G R". We though this might have been some sort of piece struck in the Centennial year following the American Revolution but that doesn't seem too likely as there weren't probably too many Royalists or Tories from the time of the American Revolution didn't have too much to celebrate and this badge seems to be more detailed in crafting than just for a celebratory event. Anyway, whatever it is, it's very cool. Hopefully the pictures will assist the description. We'll start this early antique militaria type piece low so enjoy the auction.

On Aug-19-05 at 15:03:21 PDT, seller added the following information:

A very helpful ebayer provided the following information below regarding this buckle and we've provided his comment as potentially helpful information to those having interest. "Thanks for the additional pictures here is some information I found on the Latin on the buckle. Have done a little research on the Latin on the buckle this is what I found. A translation of "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ( "Shame on him who thinks ill of it") and this is the motto of the Order of the Garter given to knights/barons/kings /princes etc. It is the oldest faternal organizations in England. SUB REGE FLORESCIT means (under king flourishes) this was translated by a friend that knows Latin. I believe this buckle belonged to an officer. due tot he Latin moto order of the garter in the garter belt on the out side edge of the buckle I thought he may have been a member. But I checked the members from the period there are only a dozen or so and I could not make a connection. The commanding officer was Alexander Innes but I did not locate his name among the members. The other reason I believe it to be a officers piece is the size most breast buckles were larger the privates belts were two to three inches wide making most of the buckles 2 to 2 1/2 wide. With this on only 1 3/4 it may have been a buckle for a sword belt or hanger belt worn by officers. I believe it was a custom piece. Just thought I would pass this along what I had found and this is all speculation from what is on the buckle and its size." Hope this is helpful, RB

On Aug-19-05 at 16:18:16 PDT, seller added the following information:

There have been a number of inquiries on this piece and we seem to have outgrown what we thought were sufficient details in our original listing. Where interest in the item has grown to a significant bid figure it is appropriate to add the below details and conditions to address further inquiries:

(1) Despite significant interest in private sale of this piece we will not be ending the auction early. We have honored the auction process and not withdrawn any items from sale during our years as ebay members. (2) We've had several knowledgeable people look at this piece without question about it's authenticity. While not specialists on items of this type they are not strangers to rare and unusual antiquities. So, where the item is presently bid in excess of $5000 (and yet not possible for the more distant bidders to actually hold in their hands to examine), we will provide the winning bidder with the option of a full refund, or return privilege, (including outbound postage), if requested within three days of receipt. The conditions will be that the winning bidder return the item in same condition, pay the return postage and also agree to pay 1/2, (or in other words split), the cost of the Ebay sales fees, (that will be paid to ebay even if a return is made). In other words, buyer and seller will split the Ebay sales fees, only in the event of a return privilege being exercised. We have confidence in this item, and would like to convey that confidence by providing a reasonable return feature to serious bidders. We will cheerfully split those fees if that were to become necessary for any reason. We feel that not having a "split" feature on these fees in the event of a return would put us in a position where irresponsible bidding, (encouraged by too loose of return policy), could cost us several hundred dollars (as well as interfere with the auction process). We hope this return provision is found to be reasonable and that our feedback rating will provide ample evidence of our honorable intentions. (3) We have this evening taken several more pictures of this item. The original set were taken inside with bright lighting. The set this evening, (Friday), were taken in slightly fading but regular daylight. They provide a bit more of a natural appearance for viewing this piece. We will be happy ot provide copies of those pictures to those having interest. We hope this is helpful and please let us know if there are any questions. Good Luck! RB

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Thanks..

posted 08-24-2005 11:50 AM            

An awful lot of money!

posted 08-24-2005 12:35 PM            

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argentum1
Posts: 7
Registered: Apr 2004
posted 08-24-2005 12:19 PM

This is in reference to the Coin Silver topic 'S. Carolina buckle'. The quality of engraving seen in the crown is not what I would expect of early engravers. It seems rather stiff(for want of a better word). For that much money I would want to see it in person. Hope the buyer is happy.

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