05/18/2026
This week's is all about the money! We recently found a price listing in a 112-yr-old issue of VFW Auxiliary Messenger that listed everything a member could purchase with prices.
It took a while but we converted these costs into modern amounts and created this graphic to compare many of today's prices with those from yesteryear. (We went with costs as of Dec. 2025-Jan. 2026 as the original list is from Dec. 1923-Jan. 1924.) We no longer offer some of the products, while some now exist as free downloads (ex: emblem & letterhead). We were not sure if the semi-annual per CAPITAL tax was meant to read "Per Capita," but we could not verify whether it was a typo.
Many of the items for sale today come directly from the VFW Store, so we went with the prices most recently on their website for these items, but some may no longer be in stock or may need to be special ordered.
We can see some areas in which we've cut costs over the past century, like when it comes to the Charter fee. Had the rate kept up with inflation, that $10 in 1923 would equal nearly $200 today, but as of January 2026 it only set Auxiliaries back by about half that! Gavels cost more now, but the price is for those that are engraved. There is no longer a reason to sell ballot boxes with white & black balls, as we no longer vote that way, but if you'd ever like to see one of the old ones, we welcome you to visit the VFW Auxiliary National HQ Museum. Past Presidents' pins have gone down in price when adjusted for inflation - a savings of more than $60! And while you can purchase a metal membership card if you so choose, other options include a paper one and the digital version, which is free when using the MALTA app.
Are there any items on this list we no longer offer that you wish would make a comeback? And what do you think they meant by a cost for "honorable discharges?" Would you want to purchase a 14k pin for nearly $300? And how many bar pins with emblem are included when one would order "a few?"
(Please note: this is meant to be for fun, not a VFW Store price guide - for items available now at the VFW Store, please look to their website for the most up-to-date info.)
