1936 Olympic Pin (numbered)

[AZartman]

I saw that Gottlieb posted one just like this a while back. Don Scowen was skeptical of it. Just wonderingif anything else has emerged about these? I'm looking to place it on estand, but don't know if it belongs in the bazarre?

Thanks!

Alex

[AZartman]

2

2

[Duzig]

Hello,
I believe this item is a repro if not a fantasy item. I am pretty sure that this & a number of other enamelled olympic badges are fake. On one of the forums I believe these have been discussed and as I said the prevaiing idea is that they or at least the majority of them are fake. Haven't heard anything new regarding them in any case. I would like to hear other comments in case I am mistaken.
Duzig

[Richard]

These have always puzzled me. Though nothing contemporary can be found (photos, documents, etc.) that would prove the pre 1945 origins of this badge, they have been around at least since the 1970's when I started collecting as a kid. They are all serially numbered on the reverse, but I have never seen 2 with the same number (mine is numbered 575). Engraving a unique number on each badge is a lot of trouble to go through for a faker in the 1970's for a badge that could just as well have left the numbers off. They are well constructed and have wonderful enamel work. I just cannot imagine the purpose that these badges would have served and the fact that no pre 1945 documentation shows them to have been used. I think unless something of that nature appears, these will remain an enigma and always be debatable. I intend to keep mine as I have never heard a convincing argument that they are not real either.
Richard V

[AZartman]

More photos

Just wanted to post some more photos I took today of this badge to see if anything new may have come to light. The enamel work is really nice and to number them as Richard points out seems like a lot of trouble to go to.

Anyone have any more info?

[AZartman]

more of the back

the back

[Rommel1933]

It is a good looking designed badge... I also am curious to nail this type of badge as known good or fake. I have looked at a lot of 1936 Olympic photos and never seen anyone wear this badge, specatator, officials, etc. It reminds me of the Olympic Judge Badges that we keep seeing. I believe it is commonly agreed that these are also fantasy items... Albeit, fantasy items that have been around since the 70's so over time they do show patina and are ingrained in our Olympic memorabilia. I could be wrong but I wouldn't classify this badge as a "known good" IMO.

Thank you, Scott

[ErichS]

The number font used on this badge is not correct to the period and I agree that the badge is a fantasy item.

[Richard]

Someone did a great job as I have never seen any two numbered the same. All I have seen were with unique numbers. I have looked for years to find this badge in wear and to determine what its possible purpose might have been but to no avail.
Richard V