Gold

Sterling Silver

Copper

Bronze

Blackinton

For the 2009 Inauguration, the Metropolitan Police Department shifted production of not only the traditional inaugural badge but the street inaugural badges from Blackinton to Collinson Enterprises out of Crofton, Maryland.

This would be the fourth time in which there were various colors or metals used for the traditional inaugural badge but this was the first time in which there were more two different traditional produced with Collinson producing a gold colored badge, a sterling silver badge, a copper badge and the traditional bronze badge. The switch to Collinson apparently caught Blackinton off-guard and Blackinton produced a limited number of what would have been their traditional inaugural badge. These badges were given to prized Blackinton dealers.

The Collinson badges also brought about a new feature in having the Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department’s name, Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters on the back of the badge as well as a production number on the back of the badge. The Sterling Silver badges are all stamped with a “1” for the production number while the Blackinton badges only have the Blackinton trademark script on the back.

The Blackinton badge because it was not a department authorized badge is not considered a part of the traditional inaugural collection but it is listed here for informational purposes.

Gold

Sterling Silver

Silver

Copper

Bronze

The 2013 Inauguration marked the high-point for the number of different colors or metals used for producing traditional inaugural badges with five. These were a gold colored badge which was made from Nickel and not actual gold to give the badge a high shine. A precious metal Sterling Silver one, a shiny silver one which was not made with any precious metals, a copper badge and a bronze badge.

The 2013 traditionals also continued the practice having the Chief of Police name in raised letters on the rear of the badge as well as a production number. Again all of the Sterling Silver badges were stamped with a production number of “1”.

Gold

Silver

Dull Gray/Silver

Bronze

For the 2017 Inauguration, the Metropolitan Police Department stayed with Collinson and had four various traditional badges produced. A gold colored one made from nickel. A shiny silver one, a dull-grayish silver one and a bronze one. Again, the Chief of Police name was placed on the back of the badge in raised letters, this time, a new Chief, Peter J. Newsham, had his name on the back. The production numbers were also stamped on the back.

The shiny silver badge had the Collinson eagle hallmark in the center of the badge while the other various colors have the Collinson eagle mark in the upper left-hand corner of the back of the badge.

Gold

Silver

Bronze

For the 2021 Inauguration the Metropolitan Police Department stayed with Collinson and had three various badges produced. A gold colored one made from nickel. A dullish-gray colored silver one and a bronze one. The Chief of Police name was attached to the rear of the badge in raised letters, this time Robert J. Contree III. Production numbers were stamped on the rear of the bronze badges while the silver and gold badges were each stamped with a “1”.

The 2021 inaugurals in all colors were produced in very limited numbers with rumors running of around 300 total badges produced. The vast majority of the 2021 traditionals were made in bronze with only very few “gold” and “silver” badges produced.

The fake 1941 Inaugural badge is one that has fooled a lot of collectors. The 1941 fake inaugural is a casting of the original badge. Just looking at the back of a fake 1941is usually a dead giveaway that something is different. The back side of the badge MAY have STERLING and/or TIFFANY’S stamped/engraved on the back of the badge, usually on the rear of the ovals. Years ago, Ken Lucas contacted Tiffany’s and they confirmed to him that they have not made badges and they have not produced a 1941 Inaugural badge.

Over the years, when I have seen them, I have contacted auction houses to alert them that the badge is a fake. In one such incident, I perhaps went too far and mentioned the Sterling stamping on the back of the badge. The auction house emailed me back and said that they tested the metal content of the badge and that it was Sterling, so they considered the badge authentic, and the matter closed. I do not know whether that is true or not, so that badge may have some Sterling silver value.

Real 1941 Inauguration badge made by the Now Defunct Lamb Seal & Stencil Co., of Washington, DC.

A fake casting of a 1941 Inauguration badge.

A sure-fire way to identify these fake Inaugurals is that they are numbered “503”. I would be curious to locate the original number 503 Inaugural, but I sort of expect that it was destroyed making the casting.

I have often seen these fakes selling for low four-figures. If you see a 1941 Inaugural numbered 503, save your time and money and leave it alone. There are many more legitimate 1941’s available for your collection.

The 1969 Inaugural is a very common faked badged and is easy to spot. It appears that someone decided to use the original double oval numbering layout and repurpose that design for a 1969 badge. A genuine 1969, will be in the 1961 style of Inaugural badge, being a gold-colored shell backed badge

Real 1969 Inauguration badge made by Blackinton.

A fake 1969 Inauguration badge.