Real Badge or Commemorative?

Eager Beaver

Jr. Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2007
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Golden Thread
0
Location
Mesa Az
Detector(s) used
Garrett Ace
I am pretty new to this forum, but I love it already! I am a treasure hunter from way back, which means I haven't hunted since way back. I never dreamed there would be a website after my own heart like this. But anyway, this was found in Mesa, Ariz. years ago, and now I may find out what it really illustrates in history. I know that Az became a state of the union in 1912, but is it from 1912 or is it just a kids toy or a suveniur? It's too small to be an official badge it seems, besides there doesn't seem to be any way of attaching it. There's nothing on the underside except the indents from the front. It was found in newly plowed dirt off of University St. which used to be a railroad in the 1800's. I cannot for the life of me find anything on the internet, except the Seal itself with the same date 1912. So how do I tell the difference if it is old, new, or a little valuable in history relics? Can anyone help? Thanz ahead of time. Oh, and it does not stick to magnet, copper?
 

Attachments

  • Badge with penny.webp
    Badge with penny.webp
    6.8 KB · Views: 332
  • Back of Badge.webp
    Back of Badge.webp
    4.7 KB · Views: 313
Image too dark to read what it says on it. Need better photo or transcribe what it says on the face. Most real badges are made of brass. Being small it could be a plainclothes detective badge? Hard to tell with pic shown. Monty
 

Upvote 0
I blew this up,because I couldnt read it either....the most I got was "Great State of Arizona' Tuscon..............
I have been looking but most of the Sheriff badges were stars...Looked under commemorative and couldnt find anything either
 

Upvote 0
Thats exactly what it says: Great Seal of the State of Arizona 1912 Tucson. Thanks for looking, thanks for trying, Gypsy!
 

Upvote 0
Maybe it was a "pinback" or lapel/hat pin? Is there any evidence of a "pin" that rusted off on the backside of it? It could appear as just a small rust colored spot in the center of the backside.Many times, older dug "pinbacks" or buttons,will have the "attachment" piece rusted off, such as the metal eyelet from a button or the steel pin from a pinback.These items were commonly made of brass,copper or even bronze and the "attachment" (pin or eyelet) was made of a different ferrous type metal.Here is an example of one type with a sideways pin on the back -
 

Attachments

  • ROCHESTERPIONEERa.webp
    ROCHESTERPIONEERa.webp
    27.6 KB · Views: 201
  • ROCHESTERPIONEERb.webp
    ROCHESTERPIONEERb.webp
    21.3 KB · Views: 202
Upvote 0
That is what is wierd, there is no trace of any clasp or pin or any attachment whatsoever, the back(which is like a bowl) is as smooth as what you can see on the top of the back, in fact you can see the imprint of the seal in the middle of the (bowl) which is on the front of the shield (badge). I have been searching more web sites, but I do not come close. Could it have been on a wallet or a sign? but it still seems it would have a ghost of an attachment, but it doesnt. I thought maybe it was something a Park Ranger would have or something like that, but no luck so far there either. I know it's not too new, I uncovered it in fresh dug dirt in an empty lot in the middle 80"s. Thanks so much for trying to ID. It's a toughy! Any help is appreciated!
 

Upvote 0

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Discussions

Back
Top Bottom