Iowa I.D. Tag

[Jazdo]

Found this at a old site in Iowa. Some type of organization. Possibly Woodmen of America? Back is
plain.

 

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[PBK]

I believe this is a privately purchased personal identification tag, as for keys or luggage. Often these were available with various stock patterns: patriotic, fraternal, etc. The design on this one seems to be very similar to that of the Knights of Pythias fraternal order, and traces of the letter "K" can be seen on the left side of the crest as well.

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[idahotokens]

I think many, if not most, of these keytags were a sort of "group purchase" by a lodge and may have served as a bit of a fund-raiser for the lodge. The blanks were, as PBK indicates, available from several manufacturers. I suspect that the lodge went together and ordered a hundred or so blanks, and maybe a set of letter stamps if they didn't have a set available. Then when they came in, they had a member (perhaps the town jeweler) stamp them for each member, and the member would pay so much for each one.

They make for an interesting collectable - there are dozens of types of blanks, some very fancy and some plain. I find the dated ones the most interesting. Some are found worn almost smooth and others never got much use. The vast majority of them have men's names on them, but I have a couple that belonged to women.

John in ID

 

[Jazdo]

You are right on target. After reading your posts I remebered I had a half dollar sized token commemorating
the 50th anniversary 1864-1914 OF FCB. Or K.P. Golden Jubilee .

Definetely the same Design just worn on the Chas Challer tag.

Very cool! Thanks.