This button’s back mark of “Firmin & Sons*153 Strand*London” indicates that it was made before 1875, according to T. Skovronsky.
In heraldry, “erased” refers to the depiction of an animal’s or human’s head (or sometimes other body parts) that has been forcibly removed from the body, leaving a jagged or torn edge, as if it were torn off rather than cleanly cut. This differs from “couped”, which means the head (or limb) has been cut cleanly, leaving a straight edge.
For example:
A lion’s head erased would show a lion’s head with jagged edges at the neck, emphasizing a rough and violent separation.
A boar’s head couped would have a straight, clean-cut bottom edge, as if neatly severed with a blade.
“Erased” is often used to convey a more fierce or battle-related symbolism in coats of arms.
