Why is the lion head golden ?
A recent inquiry about an RBL badge with a golden lion head got me thinking and after checking my collection I discovered I had a couple of these badges.
While a lot of the miniature BL badges (lapel pins/screwpost/pendant) were one piece items it would be cost effective to leave the lion head its original brass colour but why would two piece badges have a golden lion head ?
My first thought for the RBL badges was that this was a 'special' for the 50th (golden) annniversary of the Legion in 1971 .......
..... but today an early (1928/1929) large Birmingham Medal Co. 'Womens Section' badge arrived with a golden lion head .
So , are these simply a variation/option that were a matter of choice or could they be , like my silver gilt WS badge , an "economy" version of the gold award badges (looks like gold but doesn't cost the branch too much money) ?
Any ideas/suggestions welcome .
.