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-16.x 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. The lettering says "POLICE" curving above the seal and "DIVISION" 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 what may be the officer's rank (perhaps "GUARD" in this example). Below the shield is a smooth square for the badge number (an unreadable single digit number in the example). 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. Silver color. Probably nickel plated brass. Size and Shape Unknown, but probably the "standard" size of about 45mm wide by 61mm high (1 3/4 inches by 2 1/4 inches).
Dates Issued Unknown. It may be from the 1930's.
Issurer The Panama Canal Company.
Numbers Issued Pieces include the unknown single digit number of this example.
Rarity Rare. Manufacturer Unknown. Source Panama Canal Review, October 1, 1979 issue, centerfold.
Varieties None known.
Function

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