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Obverse Design
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Top has perched eagle, wings spread, head ducked down and facing right. This eagle
has the wings swept down below the feet, but is not identical to the vest badge
eagle. The eagle is on a circle whose center is the first seal of the canal
(with the Spanish Galleon and the sea level canal). There is a smooth circle
around the seal with lettering. All lettering is incuse. The lettering
says "CANAL ZONE" curving above the seal and "POLICE" curving below. On the same
circle there is one five pointed star to the right and one to the left of the seal.
The stars are below the center, unlike the vest badge.
The larger circle has a textured background and a border design done with a
plant that looks similar to corn. Below the larger circle is an elongated
hollow hexagon. Mounted on the hexagon are the badge number "449." The elongated
hexagon and the badge numbers are smooth.
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Reverse Design
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Probably a pin back. To be determined.
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Metal
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Unknown metal. Silver color.
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Size and Shape
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About 65mm wide by 65mm high (2 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches).
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Dates Issued
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Unknown. This is tentatively attributed as the matching hat badge for the vest
badge BG 10-1. It may have been a later addition since there are interesting
design differences.
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Issurer
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Isthmian Canal Commission and/or the Panama Canal Company.
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Numbers Issued
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Pieces include #449.
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Rarity
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Very Rare.
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Manufacturer
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Unknown.
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Source
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Levy Collection.
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Varieties
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None known.
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Function
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Police hat badge.
I would appreciate
e-mail from anyone who can add anything to the history of these badges.
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