Mystery (to me) pin....

I bet someone in this group knows what this is....but I sure don't!

Found in the bottom of a big box

2/3 X 1 1/3 inches

Thanks for your help!

 

Sigma, Alpha, Epsilon?

 

Is it? My husband and I were guessing it was a sorority or fraternity pin...we weren't in one and don't read Greek ;-)

 

Yep, SAE. That's the fraternity. The chapter is below. Can only read the "Alpha." What's the first Greek letter? Doesn't look new; should be gold, pearls, etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Alpha_Epsilon

Debora

 

Here's a chapter list.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sigma_Alpha_Epsilon_chapters

Debora

 

There are quite a lot of these fraternity pins on Ebay saying they are real gold, pearl and gem but all those I looked at have a very different back than yours. Is yours marked?

 

https://www.ebay.com/p/?iid=2322560...17182-37290-0%26rvr_id%3D1217263253064&chn=ps

 

Oh, and they're correctly called "badges," not pins.

Debora

 

I think we were all googling at the same time!

I think mine may be older than the one ☝ posted above...but very similar. No marks on first inspection. It was in with other very old pieces.

 

http://m.ebay.com/itm/371934896187?...54&_trksid=p2385738.c100694.m4598&_mwBanner=1

The back on ours looks older to me than the others I can find...

 

Chapter may affect value. This are often bought to give to pledges so a badge for an inactive chapter may not be as desirable.

Debora

 

that pin closure is not one i've seen before...where it hides the tip.....would that give a clue as to age ?

 

Interesting article about collectors from THE NEW YORK TIMES.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/11/style/o-brother-and-sister-where-art-thy-pins.html

Debora

 

One foot out the for the day...based on where it was found and from... we're guessing from a relative about 1920...

Thank you all!

 

And here's another interesting (sales) site.

http://www.fratpin.com/sigmaalphaepsilon.html

Debora

 

Ah, two Greek letters below are "Phi Alpha" which is fraternity's motto. (Meaning is secret until one is initiated.) So no chapter which makes yours of more general interest.

Debora

 

Wow...these sound pretty controversial! After reading that NY Times article, I'm wondering if I'll be stalked if I sell it online! I had no idea. Thanks @Debora! It also sounds like it worth much more than I anticipated...

 

I sold my sorority pin 20ish years after the fact. No death threats; assumed it went to a good home. And I was happy to turn it into $$. (Still had my college memories and friends.)

Debora

 

Good to know! I may have some more questions for you later if you don't mind @Debora. We had a really long day today and all I want to do is put my feet up. Thank you VERY much for all the help with this!