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. Judge Parker died on November 17, 1896, age 58, from a variety of health conditions, including heart degeneration and Bright's disease. Judge Parker coin obtained in 2026 is shown below.
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. Museum purchase.
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.
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.
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. Museum purchase.
U.S. Courts Deputy Clerk badge. 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 3/4". 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!
Museum 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. Silkscreened 3 1/4” patch. Image courtesy of the late Raymond Sherrard.
Web image.
Unknown date and manufacturer. Silkscreened 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.