Badge, livery badge

In City of London companies 'liverymen' traditionally wore a gown and hood to gain entry to the Common Hall, or assembly, at the Guildhall. By the 1760s liverymen were showing a reluctance to wear the traditional gown and so badges were introduced by many companies. Company Masters continued to wear their gowns until the later 19th century when they were issued with badges of office.

This badge was worn by Masters of the Actuaries' Company, a modern City livery company which received its royal charter in 1979. The badge features the arms and motto of the Company. It was struck for the Founder Warden, Matthew Henry Oram, and was subsequently used as a Master's badge until 2008.

The badge was designed by Gerald Benney, a prominent late twentieth century English goldsmith and silversmith. Benney was originally based in London, but moved his workshop to a country house in Beenham, Berkshire, in the 1970s. Between 1974 and 1983, Benney was also Professor of Silversmithing and Jewellery at the Royal College of Art. Benney was himself a member of the Court of Assistants of the Goldsmiths' Company.