Key Phi Beta Kappa Society

the symbol of phi beta kappa society golden key engraved on obverse image of pointing finger, 3 stars, , greek letters society takes name. stars said today show ambition of young pupils , 3 distinguishing principles of society: friendship, morality, , learning. on reverse found initials sp in script, stand latin words societas philosophiae, or philosophical society .

the key of phi beta kappa did not begin copy of watchkey. first insignia in fact larger, cut-and-engraved silver medallion, square of metal loop cut integrally body of square same sheet of silver, in order allow suspension 1 or 2 ribbons worn around member s neck in manner in older fraternities (and freemasonic bodies on collegiate societies in part patterned) wore own insignia. later, size of medallion reduced , men took wearing insignia on watch chains fobs. post or stem, designed winding of pocket-watches, did not appear on fobs until beginning of 19th century. fobs not gold @ first; earliest extant 18th-century models made of silver or pewter, , again not until first quarter of 19th century gold largely supplanted use of silver or pewter. notable exceptions did occur, @ harvard, until first decade of twentieth century continued use of silver or pewter of keys.

though several stylistic details have survived since earliest days—the use of stars, pointing hand, , greek letters on obverse, example—notable differences exist between older keys , current examples. name of recipient not engraved on earliest fobs or keys, , not until first decade of nineteenth century. name of school fob or key came not routinely included on earliest models, , way trace key particular school s chapter researching name of recipient against surviving class records. number of stars on obverse has changed on years, never fewer three, on known examples many dozen (the explanation meaning of stars in these cases varies chapter chapter). also, date of awarding of honor seen on keys second quarter of nineteenth century onward (some people mistake date appears on fob or key—december 5, 1776—as date particular fob or key awarded, when in fact merely date of founding of society). in 1912 key made uniform standard of size, golden appearance (some plated), , engraving school s name, recipient s name, , date of award.