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Message:: [QUOTE="Aquitaine, post: 94169, member: 602"]Hi all,I just wanted to follow up with what I have found out so far from the two sources that I have contacted!  Peter Shemonsky from the AR (jewelry appraiser of this vintage thing) suggested: "You are correct in that the piece is of Austro- Hungarian origin  and bears the hallmark used on small silver articles that were made between 1867-1872.I have seen a number of these that were made for ceremonial military uniforms, but this one seem to have been intended more for a woman's outfit. These could have been buttons to hold a cape or cloak. To a button collector, I would think it would be worth between $75-$100.00" And from the other source that HamptonAuction suggested (Which REALLY got me excited!!!):  "Please  take the button in your hands, and gently try to unscrew it at the base. If it does open, you would have a smugglers button.  Let us know what happens!" So, I tried, as instructed, but so far, no luck!!!  Yes the base turns, but so does the top with it.....so to date I don't know any further.....there's not much space to grasp at the top and I don't want to damage it.....much too pretty.......have to admit would be fun to find a few precious stones inside!!!![/QUOTE]