Talking about Civil War relics, a friend of mine was amazed at the price that one of their Civil War belt buckles brought on Ebay. People are crazy for anything connected with the War Between the States.
In my area over 300,000 Civil War troops were quartered during the war, both Union and Confederate. Relics are always being dug up and many of the locals know the value. You are correct, belt buckles range from $250 (Union) to $12,000 (Confederate officer)and each type has been dug here.