As button collectors know, the world is made up of people who lose buttons and people who collect buttons. A bigger collecting category than the average person might think, collectible buttons cover many periods, use a huge variety of materials, and are manufactured all over the world. Like many utilitarian everyday items, buttons are often made ornate, intricate, or whimsical.

There are two main categories of buttons when it comes to collecting: antique and collectible. Antique clothing buttons from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, in particular, are of interest to many collectors. Modern-day buttons that are made as intentionally collectible buttons are also highly sought, particularly by those fans of certain subjects. For instance, horse fans will find a small subculture of equine buttons available to collect.

Buttons have had an interesting history throughout the ages and have not always served solely as a means to close two flaps of clothing. In the late 1800s, certain buttons were used to show various stages of mourning. In the 1920s, flappers would give their garter buttons to a sweetheart to be worn as sleeve holders and to announce publicly their affection for one another. And for Civil War soldiers, tintype buttons on their waistcoats often contained pictures of their loved ones. Even today, you can find buttons from Confederate state soldiers as well as buttons from the uniforms of civil Union Army soldiers.

To find a huge selection of antique and collectible buttons, visit some of the many collectors' websites. There, button collectors from around the world buy and sell their tiny treasures, as well as give each other information on buttons of which the history may be murky. Use a button reference guide as another research tool and you'll be able to build a great collection without spending a fortune.