Posted 13 years ago
Militarist
(288 items)
US Steel was the most prolific issuer of long service medals. The medals were issued for 10-50 years in 5 year increments. The 10-20 year versions are bronze, 25-45 year medals are sterling silver and the 50 year is gold. The medals come in 3 different versions; fob type loop, round loop and no loop. The 10-45 year medals were made by two makers and the gold 50year medals were made by at least 3 different makers. Workers got the medals on each of the 5 year anniv. dates and also got credit for the years that they worked for companies before US Steel bought them up. Many of the 50 year workers worked beyond their 50th anniv.!
I was wondering if US steel kept any kind of list for the gold medals such as name year and number of years. I own one its for 55yrs. and was curious about the original owner. thank you
Andy, many gold medal workers worked beyond the 50 year anniv. Does your medal actually say 55 years on it? The only gold medals that I have seen all say 50 years. As far as I know there is no list of 50 year workers. The maker of the medal would narrow the time period it was awarded in. Perhaps if you could post a scan of it here we could figure out a little more. Thanks, Fred
Thanks again Andy, I just bought the 55 year US Steel medal that was sold on ebay by some one named Andy which I assume was you. Since many workers worked beyond their 50th anniversary at USSteel I have often wondered what they got and now we know!!
At only about 85% of melt I thought it was a bargain. Gold prices are so high currenntly that they out weigh collector prices and I fear many such items will be lost to the smelting pot.
Today my nephew, youngest son, and I just found a 25 year one with everything still attached 3 feet into the ground where we have been digging for a couple weeks now. There used to be a house there years and lots of years ago. Finding coins from the 1940's and stuff even older. The medal is super cool. The medal is in super good condition but the ribbon or what ever u call it isn't in the best. Been buried for many years.
Amazing! These medals came on a black cloth fob ribbon if it has a small round loop on top or on a leather fob strap if it has a rectangular like fob loop. Sounds like a neat digging site.
Yep it's still on its black cloth and after cleaning it up it's not really in as bad of shape as u would think. It's so amazing some of the stuff we have found. Wwi officers pin that the officers got for there hats. Old bottles from the 1920's and older. Super old toys. Over 200 marbles. The farthest we have gotten so far in the ground is 4 feet and still finding stuff. Super old medicine bottles. Other old army things. It's so much fun.
I also collect US Steel medals and the pins. Need a 50 Year gold. Recently came across 2 plaques #1 scaled down heavy miniature steel beam "USS Tapped 4-24-81 /1st Heat - 2nd Century Homestead Works" Size 2 1/2" tall by 2 1/2" wide weights 1 pound. #2 2nd piece in shape of a building "United Nations Visit / Homestead Works / June 12, 1977 " on the base "United States Steel Corp. Pittsburgh, Penna" size 2 1/2" tall by 2 1/2" wide weight 1 1/2 pounds.
Thanks pga... What you describe are all new to me.
At an auction I found a 50 year gold award in excellent condition and in the original presentation box. I was surprised to see the recipient inscribed as James A Farrell. The medal is authentic, should I assume this is really the James A Farrell?
Hi Matty, I would expect your medal to be genuine since I have never seen a fake. I would also trust the name on the medal to be a real person. Is this a famous person?
Keep in mind that names are often carried by many different people. Keep up the good hunting. Fred
Thanks for your response. James A Farrell was president of US Steel for a couple decades in the early 1900s.