U.S. Courts
Isaac Charles Parker (October 15, 1838 – November 17, 1896) served as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Arkansas for 21 years. He served during the western expansion of the United States and is known as the "hanging judge" of the American Old West.
Presented by the Officers and the Members of the Western District Court at Fort Smith to Judge Isaac Parker as a token of esteem, Sept. 25, 1896.
Web image of U.S. District Judge Isaac Charles Parker.
2 1/2" U.S. Judge badge, one of only two I have ever seen. The other is pictured below. I have reviewed badge company records documenting several more U.S. judge badges. Most likely a one-off badge made for the Judge, as the AO issues only judges' credentials.
Web image of unmarked U.S. court crier badge, which measures 2 3/4." The Supreme Court of the United States appointed a “crier” on the second day of its opening term in February 1790. Authenticity and age unknown.
Most likely a one-off badge made for the Judge, as the AO issues only Judges’ credentials. The center seal is the "Presidential Seal," not the "Great Seal." Made by Nelson Silvia Badge Company, Houston, TX. Image donated by collector Mark Preuss.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gryknight1/
U.S. court crier badge. The lettering was blue at one time. The Supreme Court of the United States appointed a “cryer” on the second day of its opening term in February 1790. Authenticity and age unknown. Museum purchase 2011.
Detail of former blue filling of letters.
Believed to be a fake. Marked Irvine & Jachen, but the company cannot find a record of the badge, although it is a shape they produce. The Ninth Circuit has a crier position but does not know of the existence of such a badge. Bottom panel marked "Of Court Appeals," not "Court of Appeals." Research with the Ninth Circuit Court archivist produced no results.
Curator purchase. Originally found in Chicago at an estate sale of a lifelong badge collector. Badges were sold by the man's widow. 3" tall and unmarked.
U.S. Courts Deputy Clerk. Private collector image. Used with permission.
Private collector image. Used with permission. Badge purported to be used in both the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and was made by United Insignia.
U.S. Courts Deputy Court Clerk badge. Museum purchase. Badge is 2 13/4". Unmarked.
U.S. Courts Process Server badge. Museum purchase. Badge is 3 1/8". Marked Blackinton.
Museum purchase of United States Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) badge. ALJs serve as judges and triers of fact who presides over administrative hearings. They have the power to administer oaths, make rulings on evidentiary objections, and render legal and factual determinations. ALJs are appointed under the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 (APA).
U.S. Courts Bailiff badge. Museum purchase. Badge is 1 7/8". Based upon the style and type of rear clasp, badge is believed to be from the 1930's.
Information needed!
Curator purchase from a vast collection accumulated by late Pittsburgh collector Samuel Lewis, who collected badges from the 1960s until about 2012, when he became ill. He passed away in 2015, and his widow sold the collection in 2017. In the style of the second U.S. probation and pretrial badge. 3" tall and unmarked.
4" patch. Unknown date and manufacturer.
4" patch. Unknown date and manufacturer.
Unknown date and manufacturer. 3 1/4” patch. Image courtesy of the late Raymond Sherrard.
Typical Washington DC, Metropolitan Police Special Police Officer (SPO) 5" patch. Under the MPD Special Officer SPO rules, their patches have to be 5" with big block letters. Each agency modified the remaining text. "CC" stands for "Customs Court," and "PA" stands for "Patent Appeals."
In 1982, the CCPA was abolished by the Federal Courts Improvement Act, and its jurisdiction, docket, and judges were transferred to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
From the estate of Raymond Sherrard, the godfather of federal collecting. This is the actual patch from the Federal Patch Book, Fig. 653.
4" patch. Unknown date and manufacturer. Appears to be old, with a cheesecloth backing.
3 1/4" U.S. district court bullion patch. Unknown date and manufacturer
Unknown date and manufacturer. 3 1/4” patch. Image courtesy of the late Raymond Sherrard.
Web image.
Unknown date and manufacturer. 3 1/4” patch. Image courtesy of the late Raymond Sherrard.
Unknown date and manufacturer. Image courtesy of the late Raymond Sherrard.
Bullion patch dating to the early 1980s. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Kentucky. The Court became operational in 1979. In the early 1980s, a recession affected farmers in the district. The bankruptcy court had no proactive security. Tremendous emotion was associated with proceedings, during which farmers, whose families had lived on property for generations, lost their farms and all their possessions. The court defused the tense atmosphere by having an authority figure in the courtroom. Male Bankruptcy Court staff attend the hearings, wearing a blue blazer with grey slacks. The U.S. Probation Chief saw the "CSO" attire and suggested the use of a bullion patch insert he used from Commercial Emblem. This practice continued until the CSO program was expanded and metal detectors were installed. Donation courtesy U.S. Clerk of the Court, Northern District of Georgia, (retired).
U.S. District Court. District of Arizona, 3” patch.
3" patch. Unknown date and manufacturer. Given to the U.S. Clerk of the Court, Northern District of Georgia (retired) in 1985. At that time, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) would send new clerks to visit other courts for ideas and mentorship. One of the places visited was the Southern District of New York, and this is where the patch was presented.
3 1/2" patch. Unknown date and manufacturer.
3 3/8" patch. Unknown date and manufacturer.
Heavy 3-inch bronze medallion. U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.
Between the eagle’s talon holding the arrows and the tail feathers, there are three initials: EZS. The medallion was designed by Edgar Zell Steever IV (1915-2006). Mr. Steever had a storied career as a designer and sculptor. Among other things, he worked for the U.S. Mint, designing currency for the United States and designing coinage for other countries. He is well known for the reverse of the 1776-1976 bicentennial quarter dollar, where he adjusted the model submitted by Jack Ahr.
Initials EZS. Medallion was designed by Edgar Zell Steever IV (1915-2006).
Found at an estate sale in the bottom of a box filled with fabric. Heavy 3" medallion commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals from 1929 to 2004 at the Judicial Conference, Deer Valley, Utah. Marked with many symbols, including the contiguous United States and Alaska, the Utah symbol of the beehive, the 2002 winter Olympic logo, a book, and the scales of justice. Item is intended as a paper weight and was given to some attendees. Manufactured by Medalcraft Mint, Inc.
2 1/2" medallion. Donation coordinated by Project Specialist Central District of California and approved by the U.S. Clerk of the Court.
2 3/8" medallion. Courtesy Chief U.S. Probation Officer, Central District of California.
2 3/4" pin from 1972. Unmarked.
2 3/4" pin from 1973. Unmarked.
2 3/4" pin from 1974. Unmarked.
2 3/4" pin from 1975. Hand marked The Lewis Co. Wash. D.C. 20001.
2 3/4" pin from 1976. Unmarked.
2 3/4" pin from 1977. Unmarked.
1 1/2" pin. Made by Creative Buttons, Kalamazoo, MI.
2 7/8" X 1 7/8" button. Marked A. Dean Watkins CO., Lansing, Michigan. The company was started in 1955.
1 1/4" pin. Unmarked.
Large 2 1/8" pin. Made by Political Creations, unknown city, Florida. From the estate of Diane McMullen Till, to whom it was issued in the Middle District of Florida in the late 1970s.
1 1/2" pin. Made by The Pengad Co., Inc., Bayonne, NJ., which was founded in 1936 by Jules and Shirley Penn. Pengad manufactures and provides legal supplies to the business community.
1 1/2" pin. Made by The Pengad Co., Inc., Bayonne, NJ., which was founded in 1936 by Jules and Shirley Penn. Pengad manufactures and provides legal supplies to the business community. Museum purchase 2016.
2 7/8" X 1 7/8" button. Marked A. Dean Watkins CO., Lansing, Michigan. The company was started in 1955.
1 1/4" pin. Unmarked.
1 1/4" pin. Made by A-1 Advertising Specialties, Colorado. Being researched.
1 7/16" pin. Unmarked. Donation courtesy of retired Jury Coordinator, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan.
1 3/4" pin. Made by Creative Buttons, Kalamazoo, MI. Donation courtesy of retired Jury Coordinator, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan.
1 1/2" pin. Made by The Pengad Co., Inc., Bayonne, New Jersey., which was founded in 1936 by Jules and Shirley Penn. Pengad manufactures and provides legal supplies to the business community. Donation courtesy of retired Jury Coordinator, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan.
2 7/8" X 1 7/8" button. Marked A. Dean Watkins CO., Lansing, Michigan. The company was started in 1955.
1.75" wood and rubber stamp. Found by this officer in the formerly occupied U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office, Western District of Michigan, Kalamazoo office. Manufacturer and date unknown. Donated by Chief Deputy Clerk II.
Seal detail.
Inked seal stamp.
United States District Court, Southern District of New York. 7/8" pin marked "Simmonds."
1 3/8" pin. Designed by U.S. District Judge District of Hawaii. Courtesy of Chief U.S. Probation Officer (Hawaii). Marked “Union made USA."
United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. 1" pin. Unknown date and manufacturer.
1 1/2" pin. Unmarked. From the Southern District of Georgia. Given to and donated by U.S. Court Clerk, Northern District of Georgia (retired).
1" pin. Designed by Condor Creations and produced for the the Western District of Louisiana. Given to and donated by U.S. Court Clerk, Northern District of Georgia (retired). Double layer pin, with pale green enamel around the eagle.
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania. 1" pin. Marked SRE pins, srepins.com
District of Massachusetts. 1 1/16" pin. Given to federal jurors to thank them for their service. Marked All About Pins.
1 3/4" unmarked pin. "Cogan's Clerks" refers to the clerks of U.S. District Court Judge Brian Cogan, Eastern District of New York.
3/4" pin. Donation courtesy of Special Projects Manager, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana. This style has been ordered since at least 2007 from National Custom Insignia, which did the design work. The last order was for 2,500 pins. The pins are used as tokens of appreciation for jurors, a small gift for visiting dignitaries, and for staff.
1" pin. Donation courtesy of Special Projects Manager, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana. This style was ordered in 2011 from Condor Creations in an order of 1,000. The pins are used as tokens of appreciation for jurors, a small gift for visiting dignitaries, and for staff.
Federal Court Clerks Association. Small 5/8" pin. Marked "Haltom Sterling." Museum purchase 2011. Museum purchase 2011. Home - Federal Court Clerks Association
7/8" pin. Produced by SRE Custom Pins, Burbank, CA. Donation coordinated by Project Specialist, Central District of California and approved by the U.S. Court Clerk.
3/4" pin. Donation coordinated by Project Specialist, Central District of California and approved by the U.S. Court Clerk.
1" pin. U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Oklahoma.
U.S. District Court of Guam. Unmarked 1 1/16" pin. Not enameled, but likely plastic or rubber coated paper.
U.S. District Court, District of Delaware. 1" pin.
Paper coaster, Judicial conference Center, Thurgood Marshall Building, Washington D.C.
Front view of 3 1/4" glass and pewter paper weight. Made in the United States by Salisbury Fine Metal Artisans. Donation coordinated by Project Specialist, Central District of California and approved by the U.S. Court Clerk.
Profile view.
Bottom view.
Juror badge, District of Montana. Roughly 3” X 2”. Date of production or use unknown. Museum purchase 2022.
District of Columbia Juror badge. Measures 3 ¼ x 2 3/8” without the clip attachment. Museum purchase 2022.
Modern Juror badge, Western District of Michigan.
United States District Court Juror pin back button. Blue text, 2 7/8" X 1 7/8" pin back button, unmarked. Museum purchase 2023.
United States District Court Juror pin back button. Red text, 1½”, marked The Pengad Co. Inc., Bayonne, New Jersey. Company founded in 1936 by Jules and Shirley Penn. Museum purchase 2022.
United States District Court Juror pin back button. Red text, 1½”, unmarked.
Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO) 3” sticker. Date of production unknown. Likely produced by the sticker community with no real connection to the AO.
2 1/2" sticker. Information needed!
2" one-sided medallion, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Donation courtesy of Sentencing Guidelines Specialist Northern District of Illinois.
Web image of leather coaster. Age and size unknown.
Directors award pin.
Web image. Candy dish cover.
Puzzle coaster from the 2010 Federal Circuit Judicial Conference on May 20, 2010, held at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC. Ordered from Specialties, Inc. Coaster traded with a judicial assistant who was stationed at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Poker chip award from the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Standard size of 1 1/2” with the same design on both sides.
This item was in the Museum for a short time, then traded for a more important piece. Very heavy solid bronze. The shield measures 7"x7" with a 4" mount. Almost 12” overall. Estimated by automobile experts to be from the 1920’s or 1930’s.
Obverse of 1 3/4" coin. Designed by Project Specialist, Central District of California in August 2010. The divisional offices of Santa Anna and Riverside are now included. Unknown manufacturer.
Reverse of coin. Soft enamel used.
Obverse of 1 3/4" coin. Designed by Project Specialist, Central District of California in May 2009. Unknown manufacturer. This example has no enameling, which is in error.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of Large 2 ½" Eastern District of New York coin. Unknown date or manufacturer.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1 3/4" coin. Courtesy of U.S. Magistrate Judge District of Utah.
Reverse of coin. Hard enamel used.
Obverse 1 3/4" coin. Designed in 2013 by Assistant U.S. Attorney Western District of Michigan to celebrate 150 years since the creation of the District Court by President Abraham Lincoln. Manufactured by Ira Green, Inc.
Reverse of coin. Soft enamel used.
Obverse of 1 3/4" Bronze coin. Designed in 2009 and manufactured by Kokepelli Traders. Designed by a combination of officers and members of the reentry team (judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel) to mark milestones as persons under supervision move through the phases of the program. Each coin contains a motivational phrase and is presented by the presiding judge. Donation courtesy of the U.S. Probation Office in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2016.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1 3/4" silver coin. Designed in 2009 and manufactured by Kokepelli Traders. Designed by a combination of officers and members of the reentry team (judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel) to mark milestones as persons under supervision move through the phases of the program. Each coin contains a motivational phrase and is presented by the presiding judge. Donation courtesy of the U.S. Probation Office in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2016.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1 3/4" gold coin. Designed in 2009 and manufactured by Kokepelli Traders. Designed by a combination of officers and members of the reentry team (judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel) to mark milestones as persons under supervision move through the phases of the program. Each coin contains a motivational phrase and is presented by the presiding judge. Donation courtesy the U.S. Probation Office in the Middle District of Pennsylvania., 2016.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 2" coin. Design created by Clerk of Court, District of Maine. A total of 300 coins were produced by Quality Challenge Coins, Harrisburg, PA., in June 2012. The court gives them for ceremonial purposes.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 2" coin. Unusual because the entire coin is covered in a resin or plastic. Unknown date and manufacturer. Museum purchase.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1.75" coin. Designed by Chief U.S. District Judge District of Hawaii. Initial order of 150 coins minted in the United States by Northwest Territorial Mint in May 2017. Purchase of coin coordinated by U.S. Probation Officer. Coin details provided by Procurement & Financial Specialist.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1.75" coin. Minted in the United States by Northwest Territorial Mint in 2014. Coin designed by Project Specialist Central District of California. In contrast to the next coin, this design included the sword of Lady Justice to display her full image, as every detail is symbolic and of significant importance. Donation coordinated by Project Specialist and approved by the Clerk of the U.S. Court.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1.75" coin. Minted in the United States by Northwest Territorial Mint in 2013. Coin designed by Project Specialist Central District of California. Lady Justice without her symbolic sword. Donation coordinated by Project Specialist and approved by the Clerk of the U.S. Court.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1.75" coin. Designer unknown. Manufactured by Signature Coins. A total of 100 coins were produced with black velvet boxes in 2018 for an Opioid Symposium. Information provided by Administrative Manager, U.S. District Court. Donation courtesy of Chief U.S. Probation Officer District of New Jersey, 2019.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1.75" coin. Designed by Chief U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Eastern District of Michigan and this curator. A total of 100 coins were manufactured by Symbol Arts, 2018. Used for graduates of the HOPE and RESTART programs.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of coin. Around the edge, it is stamped, "No GSA funds were used to make this coin."
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1.75" coin showing the state bird, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, in flight and the state wildflower, the Indian Blanket. 1907 is the date that Oklahoma joined the union. This design appears to be a copy of the statehood quarter dollar released by the U.S. Mint in 2008.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1 3/4" coin. Donated by Clerk of Court, U.S. District Court. Donation coordinated by Chief U.S. Probation Officer, District of Nevada. Manufactured by Symbol Arts. Date and quantity unknown, but several reorders have been made. Obverse of coin is a replica of the 2006 Nevada state quarter, U.S. Mint. Donation to Museum 2015.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1 3/4" Court Assisted Program (CAP) coin. Donated by Chief U.S. Probation Officer, Southern District of Illinois. CAP is a reentry program instituted by the U.S. District Court and U.S. Probation office, with cooperation from the U.S. Attorney and the Federal Public Defender in Illinois Southern.
Reverse of coin.
U.S. District Court coin, Western District of North Carolina.
Reverse of coin.
Obverse of 1 3/4" coin of U.S. District Richard J. Leon, District of Columbia. Museum purchase. Symbolism unknown. Senior Judge Richard J. Leon | District of Columbia | United States District Court
Reverse of coin.
NEW Web image.
NEW Reverse of coin.
NEW and interesting! Web image. The District Court of the Virgin Islands is not constituted under Article III of the Constitution but rather under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2. The district court judges serve eight-year terms.
NEW Reverse of coin.
NEW Web image. Northern District of Indiana coin.
NEW Reverse of coin.
NEW Web image. Northern District of New York 1” pin.
NEW District of Kansas 1” pin. Museum purchase 2025.
NEW Public image. Unknown date and manufacturer. Patch formerly of the late Raymond Sherrard collection.
NEW Public image. Unknown date and manufacturer. Patch formerly of the late Raymond Sherrard collection.
NEW Public image. Unknown date and manufacturer. Patch formerly of the late Raymond Sherrard collection.
NEW Public image. Unknown date and manufacturer. Patch formerly of the late Raymond Sherrard collection.
NEW Tax Court of the United States cigar band. Measures 2 1/2” X 1 1/2”. The Tax Court is an Executive Branch independent judicial authority for taxpayers disputing certain IRS determinations. Band originally purchased in New Zealand by an Australian many, many years ago. Believed to have been produced by a Dutch company in the Netherlands.
NEW United States General Services Administration, GSA, cigar band. Measures 2 1/2” X 1 1/2”. GSA is the landlord for the federal government. Band originally purchased in New Zealand by an Australian many, many years ago. Believed to have been produced by a Dutch company in the Netherlands.