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A graduated set of four vintage United States Veterans Administration length-of-service award pins — 15, 20, 25, and 30 years — almost certainly earned by one long-tenured VA employee across a full career. Each carries the classic VA service badge: a spread-winged American eagle over a striped national shield, a \"SERVICE\" banner up top, \"UNITED STATES\" to the sides, and \"VETERANS ADMINISTRATION\" arched along the lower ribbon with laurel sprigs framing the year.
The set is color-coded by milestone:
- 15-Year — warm gold tone with red enamel
- 20-Year — silver with deep blue enamel
- 25-Year — silver with red enamel
- 30-Year — rich yellow gold with white enamel and a small prong-set red stone at center (the crown of the group)
Marks & metal: Three of the four are maker-marked to His Lordship of New York, a well-regarded mid-century maker of fine service and award jewelry. The 20-year and 25-year are stamped STERLING; the 30-year is stamped HLP 10K, confirming solid 10-karat gold. These 30-year gold awards were traditionally set with a genuine ruby, though the stone here is uncertified and sold as a red stone. The 15-year\'s back mark isn\'t clearly legible and is described as unmarked gold tone rather than claimed as a precious metal.
Because they read \"Veterans Administration\" and not \"Department of Veterans Affairs,\" they predate the agency\'s 1989 elevation to cabinet status — a built-in clue placing the set in the mid-20th century.
Condition: Honest, worn-with-pride age. The sterling pieces show the warm tarnish you\'d expect, and the 15-year has the most rubbing to its finish. On close look there\'s light enamel loss in spots and some green oxidation around a few of the pin hinges and catches — common on old pin-backs. All four are intact with working stems and clasps. Left as-found and unpolished, so you\'re free to clean or conserve to taste.
Measurements: Each pin approx. 1/2\" x 1/2\". Weights: 15-yr 1.7g, 20-yr 1.7g, 25-yr 1.7g, 30-yr 1.8g.
Ships carefully packed. Please review all photos, as they\'re part of the description.
