Hi Michael
I think that I've seen this one with a curious "north-south" post on it and my one may be hallmarked silver, but I'd have to check it out.
Interesting to note that Toye & Co seemed to have the monopoly on Old Contemps badges. I guess that cutting a die for a badge was a fairly costly proposition so they tended to go with those they knew.
I was also once told that some firms would produce the die for free (or at a low cost) and make their money from the badges struck from it. The die then remained the property of the firm, ensuring that the association would be customers "for life".
Should the group choose to move away from the original maker, they would have to pay to uplift the die or get a new one cut.
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