PHOENIX COAT BUTTON 2nd Regiment of Haiti / West Coast Trade Button For Sale

Phoenix Button, 2nd Regiment of Haiti / West Coast Trade Button
Nice excavated coat size example with a strong shank. Appears to be a Type 1 Large Coat Button. Here is a scarce button that was originally ordered for King Christophe's army in Haiti. Fearing a coup, the king committed suicide and the buttons were sold to Nathaniel Wyeth, a tradesman who transported them to the West Coast of the United States in the mid 1820's. They were then traded/sold with Native Americans from San Diego to Washington. This example was excavated along the coast of Northern California. Several different examples have shown up on the West Coast with a few being recovered east of the Rocky Mountains. These buttons have an excellent historical background and are rare! The legend on the face has a Phoenix surrounded with the words, "JE RENAIS DE MES CENDRES" over "No 2." The translation is "From My Own Ashes I Rise" Measures: approx. 24 mm