Please Identify This 8 Pointed Star Ymca Medal

This logo, with the bible, Chi-Ro symbol behind, and the five continents named around, was and still is the symbol of the World Alliance of YMCAs - as you can see from their webpage.

The use of actual enamel, rather than the plastic imitation "enamel" used on modern badges, tells me this is an older piece - probably pre-1950. And the spelling of "Europe" rather than "Europa" tells me it is from an English-speaking part of the world. But apart from that, I have no idea. If it is unengraved on the back, then I can only assume it is either unissued or that the ribbon it was once hung by contained pins etc that may have given more information about its purpose and recipient.

Genuine vitreous enamel is a form of glass. It is applied to the surface of a badge in powder form and the powder is then melted into place in a furnace. Each colour has to be done separately. This is an expensive and time-consuming process which nobody uses anymore, since the same effect can now be made with epoxy resin - a form of thermosetting plastic. It can be squirted directly onto the badge and cooled, without the need for excessive heat or waiting for each separate colour to dry. All of which makes objects made using genuine enamel rarer and much more highly sought after by collectors today - whether we're talking badges, Lodge jewels or enamelled coins.

And yes, it was the fact that bits of it were missing that tipped me off that this was genuine enamel. Being a form of glass, it's much more vulnerable to breakage by hits and knocks than its plastic replacement.