OAImages Blog

Most collectors today specialize and restrict their collecting interests. Very few still attempt — in vain — to collect all issues from all lodges. Jousting at windmills would seem to a more rational pursuit. Some try to get a single patch from every lodge name or number. Many restrict their collecting to their state, section, or lodges they have been in. Some collect first flaps or “Wab issues“. Some collect by themes like NOAC patches, sports related items, or patches bearing their Wood Badge patrol name.

My own special interested is very restricted. I collect bullions. Bullions are a rather unusual category of insignia. These patches are made, at least in part, with coiled metal in place of thread. Blue Book uses a “B” to note these issues. My collection of these patches is possibly the most complete on in the country.

The first OA bullions appeared in the 1980s with a cluster of issues, mainly from lodges in California. In general, they tend to be shaped somewhat remeniscent of school crest badges. The Malibu bullion pictured here is neat in how it incorporates the lodge’s shark totem.

My favorite in this group may be the B1 from Pang 532. It may not be viewed by everyone as the most valuable of bullions but the B2 from Pomponio 528 was probably the hardest of these for me to get.

There has only been one bullion issued by a chapter. This was the Discovery Chapter B1 from lodge 528.

Some lodges have chosen to issue bullion badges for special awards. The B1 from Achewon Netopalis (pictured at the top of this post) is an example of this, being a special award piece.

Cuyahoga had a short-lived bullion, issued to those brothers who bought the lodge’s life membership. The program was halted and not many of these have been issued. I have also heard the B1 from Mi-Gi-Si-O-Paw-Gan 162 was also a life member piece, but can’t confirm that.

There has been an increase in interest in bullions in recent years. Many lodges have issued at least one. It’s been a means for a lodge to produce an unusual piece of memorabilia or merchandise for collectors.

Some of these newer bullions have been really neat looking. The B2 from Cahuilla 127 is a really neat looking piece and probably the favorite bullion in my collection.

Most lodges with bullions have issued only one or two. A few lodge, however, have issued several. Occoneechee lodge has issued four bullions, including one (B3) in my favorite shade of light blue.

O-Shot-Caw 265, a lodge known for issuing a large number and variety of items. Has the current record with five bullions. The B3, pictured, is an oval (look carefully!) issued in 2005 when the lodge issued the S-4S conclave. The other four reproduce the designs of the lodge’s first four flaps (F1- F4) in bullion form.

O-Shot-Caw issued their B5 this Fall. The piece is still a need of mine, so please contact me if you have one available.

I also just recently acquired three more bullions for my collection. The newest additions are the 293 B1 and 531 B1 and B2.

Presently there are two pieces I need to complete my bullion collection. I am missing the 175 B1, which I am hoping I can find soon. The harder piece has been the 156 B1. I have asked Ag-Im brothers about this piece at the last few NOACs. Every time the lodge brothers have denied the piece exists.