Coins-of-Panama.Com Logo
Plowman's
Coins-of-Panama.Com
Home / Other Items / Badges / BG-15.7

BG-15.7 (Canal Zone Police Lieutenant 1st Seal Square Number)

Small Image
Large Image
Picture of a BG-15.7
Scale: 6 pixels equals one millimeter
Black and White Image of Gold Colored Badge

Obverse Design Top has perched eagle, wings spread, head ducked down and facing right. This eagle has the wings swept down below the feet, and is identical or almost identical to the BG-10 (second badge type) eagle. The center of the shield has the first seal of the Canal Zone with a Spanish Galleon sailing through a sea level canal. There is a smooth circle around the seal with lettering. All lettering is incuse, and blue in color. 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. Above the shield is a smooth horizontal bar with the officer's rank of "LIEUTENANT". Below the shield is a smooth square with the badge number of "41". The shield overall has a textured background. All edges of the shield except the top have a leaf design as the edge.
Reverse Design Probably a pin back. To be determined.
Metal Unknown metal. Gold color. Size and Shape 45mm wide at the widest part of the shield by 65mm high (1 3/4 inches by 2 1/2 inches). At the wing tips the width is 46 mm.
Dates Issued Unknown. This is tentatively attributed as a member of the third Canal Zone Police badge type. The seal on the badge was designed in 1905 and used through 1950. It may be from the late 1920's and the 1930's. By 1940 the force was known as the "Police Division" and may have used different badges. Note - Natalie Halpern was of the opinion this badge was from around 1977.
Issurer The Panama Canal Company.
Numbers Issued Pieces include #41.
Rarity Rare. Manufacturer Unknown. Source Plumer Collection (ex-Natalie Halpern, sold 1985 for $65).
Varieties None known.
Function

Police vest badge. I would appreciate e-mail from anyone who can add anything to the history of these badges.