Is this a military medal??

[richg]

Going through a box of stuff came across this medal. Tried to find out about it but am having a hard time locating information. Thanks for the help!!

[stoney56]

Don't have access to research materials now but appears to be Masonic related.

[richg]

Thanks for the help, I should have included that the little tag hanging from the top says Bellvue, No 692 under that it says council. Thanks again for the help!! Rich

[PBK]

Congratulations on a fine and uncommon find, RichG! It's a membership or convention badge from a local chapter, or council, of a fraternal organization known as the Order of Independent Americans. Evidently, the council was located in Bellevue, Pennsylvania, as indicated by the keystone-shaped tag. Little is known about them, but they were apparently in existence by the late 1860's and remained active until at least the 1940's. As Stoney mentioned, their emblem looks somewhat Masonic, and it also resembles that of another fraternal group, the Jr. Order of United American Mechanics; however, there is an open Bible superimposed upon the compass & square used by the Order of Independent Americans.

[richg]

Thanks for the information PBK!! I guess that is what the O of IA means. Is there any way to date the medal? Does it have any kind of value? Just curious. Thanks again for the help!! Rich

[PBK]

Thanks for the information PBK!! I guess that is what the O of IA means. Is there any way to date the medal? Does it have any kind of value? Just curious. Thanks again for the help!! Rich

Best guess: c. 1895-1915. Tough to price because while there's not a lot of O of IA material, there's not much of a collector demand for it either. Two items are offered on eBay right now: a 10K lapel pin for $9.99, and a 14K watch fob for $150. You might try an eBay "Completed Items" search on fraternal ribbon badges.

[richg]

Thanks for the info again!! I'll see what I can find out!! Thanks for the help!