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4-H Membership Pins, Leadership Pins and Early Awards

Information on dating various pin, awards and other items comes from 4-H Handy Books (all-in-one member book and catalog) and later, Supply Catalogs.

Membership Pins

Official 4-H Club membership pins indicated the number of years someone has been a member. They were not offered in the 1927-28 Handy Book, but were offered by 1930. There were 4 styles to choose from in three finishes; bronze, sterling silver and 10k gold filled.

By the 1956-57 Catalog Design L and Design S had been dropped, but you could get Design A & B up to year 12. Currently they go up to 14th.

Youth Membership Pins

Design A - shows "first" on the top (or second, third, etc)

Design B - shows state along with "first"

Design L - no words shown on edges

Design S - lists state only

There are 2 sizes of pins. A 1966 4-H catalog lists the size of the pin as 1/2" x 1/2". 2004 catalog states they are 5/8" x 5/8".

Adult Membership Pins

4-H Award of the Bronze Clover, for adults volunteering years 1-4

4-H Award of the Silver Clover, for 5 years

4-H Award of the Gold Clover, for 10 years

4-H Award of the Pearl Clover, 15 years

A blank bronze pin is now available. 5 year increment pins now go up to 60 years.

Adult member pins are in 2 sizes. 1972 catalog lists 1/2" wide. Later catalogs don't list a size with the newer style, but this image shows the comparison.

Leadership Pins

The adult leadership pin was offered by the early 1930s in 3 styles and various metals.

This basic pin & guard was offered in bronze, sterling silver, gold filled, 10k gold and 14k gold

Fancier pins & guards were offered in the 1930s, solid gold with pearls only or with pearls and emeralds. A Sterling Silver pin & guard had pearls and emeralds

By 1960 the basic 14k pin & guard and the fancier pins & guards were no longer offered.