News for 2015

What a year for school badge collectors. Some of the highlights from 2014 were the many, many Corporal "Boomer" badges that made their way to ebay. Dubbed the Boomer badge because they were introduced during the early 40's and continued to be produced until the late 50's and used until the existing stock was depleted in the early 60's, about the same era of the Baby Boomers. ( see picture below) The Boomer badge also introduced the Corporal Badge, Sergeant badge, the all Brass Award Badge.

Prior to the Boomer badges, the badges of the late 20's and 1930's had an oval backing (see picture below). Contrary to what has been found on ebay, theses badges were only produced in Captain, Lieutenant and Patrolman.  Every Corporal and Sergeant badge I ever found with this type of backing had been re-soldered and looked to be "altered" . As a rule,unless the metal and chrome has been tested, the badge should be considered suspect. I know this will piss some people off, especially if they paid a lot, but ANY badge where the back has been "fixed" should raise warning bells.

Boomer badges have been the most "altered" badges. China-made badges with a square backing have had them replaced with Boomer Oblong backing. Most likely if a Boomer badge is in poor condition, the back is removed and soldered onto the cheaper China-made badge. The same with the above pictured 1930's badges. Since the age of the badge determines the value, soldering an "oval" backing on a badge made in the 1960's can raise the value $40-60.

On a more positive note, Officer badges from Washington state surfaced and they are beautiful. Washington State had their own program and had their own badges made. As you can see below, the Captain badge is very nicely made. A Lieutenant badge also emerged in the the same design.

   Unsuspecting new collectors continue to be taken in by predatory sellers who use the words "rare" or indicate a badge is over 60-70 years old when in actuality it was made in the 1980's. Don't get me wrong, some sellers don't know the age and value and what the pricing is very innocent. I'm talking about the repeat offenders who even after they are told to look at others badges like the one they are selling, keep the insane listed prices. I even told one asshole he was ripping people off and he said answering my email , 'That's their tough luck" . Oh well, every collectors market has a few scumbags 

There was a discovery with the present day "Star Trek" badges. In the early release, the regular badge (what use to be a Patrolman) wasn't colored black as it is today. It didn't have any paint.  Paul Patriarca is the collector who brought it our attention. Thanks Paul!