Silver I.D. Pin
By John Sexton · Originally published October 2017 · p. 29
Silver I.D. Pin Dear John: I was curious if you could give me more information on my most recent (and only) find. I found this piece metal detecting in my back yard in Sullivan, Missouri. From my understanding, it’s a Federal identification pin. I was curious about its rarity and value. Sincerely, Joseph J. Kage Dear Mr. Kage: The small silver I.D. pin you found is actually quite rare and the first example I have noted. There are numerous different identification devices sold publicly to Civil War soldiers from many venues. The most common are dog tags of various forms sold by sutlers with stamped inscriptions similar to this. As you can see in the ad printed below, one merchant in New York was making your badge along with other distinct badges for Navy and artillery. Originally as stated in ad, this badge would have been enameled in the background either red, white or blue, distinguishing the different divisions. Custer’s division was the 3rd Cavalry Division and, like his 3rd Cavalry flag, would have been designated in blue. Your badge is inscribed “Lt. G. W. Spencer, 18th Pa. Cav. Custer Div.” In doing a quick search of the 18th Pa. database, they were only loosely associated with Custer’s division, but all soldiers wanted to be associated with Custer as he was such a well-liked and famous leader in his day. There is very little information available on the soldier. “St. George W. Spence” shows up on the roster of the 18th Pa. Cav. on March 29, 1865 in Co. I, being discharged June 19th, with no further information. Why the slight disparity in the name engraved and the name found in the records is unknown, but there are often typographical errors made on these badges and in the written records. This particular badge, I have never seen another example, and after speaking to a few dealers, they have never seen one either. Regardless, if someone else writes in and tells us they have one, it is still a very rare badge. The condition on your badge, unfortunately, is poor, with numerous small dings, dents, and folds. The badge has also been holed so it could be sewn to uniform coat or hat. Originally this thin-stamped badge was made with a T-bar pin; you can still see the solder marks where it was attached. Going through auctions of other Civil War silver I.D. pins and badges, there is a wide range of prices over the past few years, about $1,000-3,500.
This ad was copied from Stanley Phillips’ 1982 text “Civil War Corps Badges and Other Related Awards, Badges, Medals of the Period”. It was taken from a wartime copy of a Civil War periodical such as Harper’s Weekly or Army Navy Journal.
Front and back of silver I.D. badge.
The condition and limited history on your badge dictates a price in the lower ranges, but you never know what it might bring in a specialty Civil War auction. John is an certified appraiser with International Society of Appraisers specializing in Civil War memorabilia. He authenticates and evaluates other rare and valuable historic items as well. His website is www.civilwardealer.com. He is coauthor of the book Confederate Bowie Knives (2012) by Jack Melton, Josh Phillips and John Sexton, that was published by Mowbray Publishing Inc.
