Posted 13 years ago
rrbadges
(14 items)
A rare 14K gold presentation badge presented by Louis W. Hill President of the Great Northern Railway Company in 1908 to his 12 loyal Regional Special Agents. Badge is one of 3 known to exist. Badge is hallmarked "Robbins Co. Attleboro, Mass." on rear and is about the size of a silver dollar. The center image is that of Louis Hill. The badge was found in a Coin & Jewelry Auction in Naperville, Illinois in November, 2011. It goes to show that you never know where interesting old railroad artifacts will show up. I have been collecting railroad police badges for 38 years and this is considered the "Holy Grail" of railroad police badges.
Thanks for sharing-- these are beautiful.
Most badges posted on here are modern reproductions of Western Star badges.
Thanks for sharing some of your rare items.
Scott
Hi Scott: Thanks for your kind comments! Yes, they are beautiful. I collect early railroad police badges with a fondness for 14K gold presentation pieces. I have been searching for the "Hill" badge for 38 years. I never thought I'd locate one until one showed up in the Fox Vally Coin Auction in Naperville. Do you collect old badges? Chip
I don't collect railroad badges, but I do collect military related ones-- ID badges, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), and reunion related.
I DO collect photographs of folks wearing badges (as well as early RR photographs)!
Pls share more of your collection as time permits.
Scott
Here is an example of the type of badge in my collection:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/32633-boston-gar-reunion-enameled-delegate-bad?in=user
Hi Scott: I will put a few more up this site. I have been collecting early railroad police badges for many years, along with early Coal & Iron Police badges. I also like early 1st issue major city badges. Chip