Definition

• Unit Badge.  A pin identifying a military organization, highly emblematic and usually enameled. It is worn on a uniform or headgear in prescribed locations. It may be similar to a cloth patch, but is of numismatic interest when it is diestruck. In the U.S. Army, a unit must consist of more than 500 personnel to qualify for a unit badge. Anyone within the organization can suggest the design, symbolism, color or shape of the unit badge. This is then sent to the Institute of Heraldry (which obtains the unit history from the Center of Military History) then develops the design into medallic form and contracts for its manufacture.  See emblem (1), enamel and enamelling; institute of heraldry.

  excerpted with permission from

  An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

  For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

  COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

  Roger W. Burdette, Editor

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