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.