Posted 13 years ago
Militarist
(296 items)
Wisconsin's Kohler Company issued these spectacular 14k gold medals for only 25 years of service. These were issued on a chain linked to a pocket watch. Eventually the medals were issued in bronze and without a loop so that they could be worn in a bezel by the ladies. I have just been asked about the value of one of these medals and will try to answer it without offending our site owners. The Kohler medal is not rare since Kohler issued a fair number of these gold 25 year medals. There does not seem to be much of any collector demand for such medals. The value of this type of medal is it's gold value. Since it is 14k gold .58333 percent of it's total weight is pure gold. In my opinion this medal is too good to sell for scrap to gold dealers who usually pay 50-70% of melt value. A true collector who needs one will pay full gold value or slightly more unfortunately such collectors are also rare.
Kohler makes some of the best bathroom fixtures in the world.
What year would this have been issued? I love the image on it, these days you would be lucky to get a travel mug in stainless steel, for 25 years of service.
Good question walksoftly. The Quarter Century Club was founded in 1924. The Kohler medallion design dates from 1919, so the earliest date for the gold medals could be 1924. I know that these were issued in gold until the early 1970's. By the late 1970's the ladies got a medal in bronze, same size, without a loop and in a bezel for wear on a chain. I have one of these from a friend's mother that was issue in 1978.
Never heard of the Baker Furniture line so I googled it. I don't think Kohler makes it but there is a connection with a division named Kohler Interiors.
Any chance this would have any value other than just for scrap?
I think the carburator on my truck was made by Kohler.
Great question and unfortunately with the currently very high gold and silver prices it would be very hard to get more than melt value for long service medals like this one. In the current economy collectors with money may also be hard to find. I still buy but even on "the bay" medals like these are rarely listed.
I think the carburetor on my truck was made by Kohler!
That wouldn't surprize me since they do make machinery and parts.
I've got one in bronze and I'm still looking for one in 14k gold. Hopefully someone will turn one lose soon.
10 years later and the internet keeps on giving. I was wondering what this was, I have one, belonged to great cheesehead grandfather. Also to add, it has the employee’s name engraved on the opposing side.
Yes, all are named on the reverse. There are also several different makers marks.