Suggestions for Lilli Ann princess coat that needs buttons

The coat in question is in my seamstress's possession right now or I'd take a photo. It is black wool with black velvet stripes placed vertically on its "skirt." The sleeves are wide and deeply cuffed. It has nine rather ordinary 1 1/8" buttons down the front (single-breasted); they look like this only with narrower rims:



Almost all of the buttons are chipped. My seamstress is 80, and once worked as a clerk in a department store's suit and coat department. It is her opinion that the replacements might best be black velvet-covered buttons, but she can't find any black-backed metal buttons. I agree with her that a shiny metallic back could look tacky. I'm not sure if a velvet-covered button is such a good idea because of wear-and-tear possibilities. I also wonder if it isn't better to replace these with something as similar as possible.

Questions:

Would you replace the buttons with something very similar to the ones on the coat, or go with something else? (I should say, I'm not certain these were the originals, but I believe so)

Is there such a thing to be found as a black-backed metal covered button? If not, is it possible to coat the metal?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

That's a good point Chris, all black velvets are not created equal.

Finding 9 good vintage buttons that are rather ordinary in appearance is my next problem...

 

They are 1-1/8"

 

Good luck, Maggie...I'm sure you will find some, it might just take awhile. It sounds like a lovely coat!