ALWAYS ON GUARD

  Q. I recovered this “PHG” belt buckle quite a long time ago but only recently was told that it is from the Philadelphia Home Guard. It has a brass front and lead back (hooks intact), and measures 58mm x 87mm. There is a small crack above the right part of the letter “H”. Do you know its historic or monetary value?

   A. It does indeed appear to be a Civil War period belt plate of the Pennsylvania Militia unit known as the Philadelphia Home Guard. As its name implies, the PHG was created in 1861 for local defense. However, when Confederate armies began to advance northward in strength in

1862-63, Philadelphia’s large force comprising infantry regiments, artillery batteries, and two companies of cavalry was pressed into service. As for the plate, despite a bit of minor damage and what looks like evidence of cleaning, It’s probably a $2500+ find. Modern copies are often in $15-35 price range.

For more information see page 12 of the issue
Western & Eastern Treasures Annual “Best Finds” issue 2007.