Insignia

In the Minutes of the Society and in various texts and references of the past, the words “insignia,” “seal,” “arms”, and “badge” have been used in confusing interrelation.

The original “Rules” of 1749 state “[a] large Seal shall be provided for use of the Society, with a thistle and crown over it, together with the motto ‘Nemo Me Impune Lacessit.”‘ A seal was obtained in 1751, although following the Revolution, the crown was considered inappropriate and was removed.

In 1896, The Society adopted “arms” consisting of a triangularly shaped shield bearing the figure of St. Andrew and his cross, mounted with a circular belt bearing the motto, and included a thistle at the buckle of the belt. This however, was short lived for in 1904 an “Insignia” was adopted consisting of a metal badge suspended from a ribbon, and in 1907 the “Badge” was adopted as the “Arms” of the Society. This device has been in continuous use since then.

The current insignia is also used as the basis for a 50 year medal and for the Past President’s Medal. A World War II Medal, designed by our member C. Kennedy Allen, Jr., was adopted in 1943 and awarded to 45 service members in 1946.

The original 1749 Rules prescribed a Membership Certificate, with the seal of the Society affixed. It is believed that the Certificate currently is use was designated by Alexander Christie, engraved by our member Robert Scot (who was first engraver of the U.S. Mint) and adopted in 1792. For many years, the Certificate in use referred to the St. Andrew’s Society “of the State of Pennsylvania” and only in 1982 was this revised to read “of Philadelphia.” The Certificates are affixed with an embossing of a seal in the Society’s possession bearing the original insignia of the Thistle (the crown having been restored), the original motto, and the date 1747.