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An authentic antique vintage tin badge from the 1950s, offered on its original retail card and available in two classic variants: Special Police or Private Detective.

These iconic mid‑century badges were sold nationwide throughout the 1950s in five‑and‑dime stores, novelty counters, and department store toy aisles. Inspired by the era’s fascination with crime‑fighting heroes, radio dramas, pulp detectives, and comic‑strip lawmen, badges like these allowed children to step into the roles of their favorite characters from popular culture.

Figures such as Dick Tracy, The Lone Ranger, and countless fictional detectives shaped the imagination of post‑war America. Wearing a tin badge was more than play — it was a symbol of justice, adventure, and heroism during a time when imagination ruled childhood.

Each badge features classic embossed tin construction with bold lettering and period‑correct design. The original card measures approximately 2" × 1¾" and shows light to minor wear consistent with age and retail handling. The badge itself displays excellent natural patina, reflecting decades of honest aging and preservation.

Variants:

• Special Police
• Private Detective

If you have a preference, please indicate your choice at checkout. Inventory is mixed, and selection will otherwise be made at random.

Details:

• Authentic vintage tin badge from the 1950s
• Original retail card included
• Two classic crime‑fighter variants available
• Card size approx. 2" × 1¾"
• Classic dime store novelty item

Condition: Vintage — card shows light to minor wear; badge displays strong aged patina with no structural damage.

This piece represents genuine mid‑century Americana, bridging toy history, pop culture, and the golden age of crime‑fighting imagination. Whether displayed as a collectible artifact or preserved as part of a vintage badge collection, it remains a tangible connection to a simpler era when every child could be a hero.

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