TRENTON, NJ'S CAPITAL CITY

 

As a Badge Collector my focus, after fifty years in the hobby, has been centered on my home City of Newark. On the way to completing that collection I have created some displays that are other NJ Municipalities.

I never emphasized TRENTON which is the Capital City. One reason is that I just never found many of their badges to trade or purchase.

Over the years I did stumble on two early Badges from New Jersey's Capital. They were acquired as far back as 30 years ago. The oldest is number 60. The newest is numbered 33. 

These two badges are almost identical. The differences is slight. Number 33 has a little wider body. It also has add on numerals. They also are set on a slight angle. They look like they may have changed a few times before this badge went its' merry way to the collectors world.

Both badges are somewhat worn, with number 60 still in excellent shape.  Despite the wear you can clearly see, in raised letters, "TRENTON CITY POLICE" around the centered City Seal. 

It is the "Seal" that tells you this is an authentic badge from Trenton. Of the five hundred (+) New Jersey Municipalities, most use a "State Seal." Trenton uses their distinct City Seal. 
 
On the back of number 33 you can see that the pin at some point in time was replaced. It is held together in a "mound" of solder. It certainly does not look like the manufacturers work, so probably a  do it yourself repair job. The "C" catch also looks to have been replaced. It too has excess solder holding it in place.

 My first Trenton Badge, number 60, is in far better condition, both front and rear. There are no issues with the pin, clasp or numerals.

Both of these fine pieces of history have found a home in what I call: City Collections Display. My goal (a long, long time ago) was to obtain the Top Ten N.J. Cities. Along the way to that goal I got a few more.

In that quest, for the "Big Ten," I have obtained a representative from 30 different Cities. I certainly like them, and I am proud to have them. They are all under glass in a nice display case that hangs on my wall.

All the badges hanging  in my den give me a nice feeling every day when I look at them. Most of them tell a story or tweak a memory. Guess that is why, after fifty years, I still collect them.