Description

Phi Beta Kappa is the preeminent American honors society. It was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, going on to inspire the fraternity tradition. However, PBK has taken a different path: it is by invitation only, those coveted invitations going out during a college student’s senior year if s/he has achieved highest honors. This charming example dates to 1927, and was awarded to one Lillian Kinser of Texas. Although it is not hallmarked, it tests as 10k gold, as was typical during the period. It measures approximately 13mm from the tip of the key to its bale, and 10.5mm across: the pin, also engraved TEXAS, measures 10.5mm by 4mm. Great piece for a PBK aficionado or a collector of Texas memorabilia! I was the former, but given that in ten years of owning it it's never come out of its box ... time to find it a new home!