American Legion Pin Tack, gold plated, old unused stock

These are old American Legion lapel pins or tie tacks. They are 1/2 inch (12 mm) in diameter, feature a copper center emblem, and an enameled and gold plated device. The backs are marked, indicating the maker (Ballou) and the design patent (pat de 54296). This coincides with the original December 9, 1919 American legion design which I have copied from the US patent office files in one image, but these pieces are not that old.

They are old unused stock, probably passed on in the estate of a former lodge officer. However, they were stored for so long, the copper has tarnished black, and there is a little corrosion around the copper device on most. Despite the tarnish, the price is right, and I found that rubbing the copper piece with a cotton swab and copper cleaner nicely brought out the red copper in the raised areas. Price is per pin.