Civil War era Minié (or Minni) ball bullet, used in muzzle-loaded rifled muskets. The bullet is made from lead and conical in shape; there is a set of three grooves around the base; the bullet itself is lightweight and hollow, an intentional design created to cause the most damage possible. There is a white patina (lead carbonate) visible on much of the object, this can be caused by exposure to carbon dioxide and is considered a typical sign of aging.