From http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=104912

"As Marvel hinted yesterday, Captain America’s shield made an appearance on last night’s The Colbert Report.

The shield showed up at the end of the show; with Colbert first taking back his criticism of Cap for siding against the Federal Government and the Super Hero Registration Act, and then reading a letter from Marvel Editor in Chief, Joe Quesada. The letter read:

'Dear Stephen,

As Editor in Chief of Marvel, I am burdened with the handling of our characters’ estates in the sad event that a hero should perish before his time.

Captain America’s will was read last Friday, and while heavy-hearted, I am proud to announce the Star-Spangled Avengers has bequeathed his most valuable possession, his indestructible shield, to the only man he believed had the red, white, and blue balls to carry the mantle, Stephen Colbert.

Welcome to the Marvel Universe.

Sincerely,

Joe Quesada'

The shield was then brought out, and Colbert accepted it, giving it a rap with his knuckles.

“That’s the sound of indestructible Wakandan Vibranium,” Colbert said. “I take this responsibility very seriously, and I promise to use this shield only to fight for justice…and to impress girls.

“Ladies, anybody want to touch it?

[screams from audience]

“Cap? I hope I make you proud.”

Marvel fans may recognize the shield - it was a constant prop in the editorial offices (probably best known recently for appearing in a picture with Bill Rosemann a few years back when Marvel moved their offices), dating back to the days of long-time Captain America write and editor Mark Gruenwald. Most recently, the shield had been in Editor Tom Brevoort's office.

According to Brevoort, the shield was acquired by Gruenwald, who either commissioned it or received it as a gift from a fan costumer in the early 1980s.

"It was one of two shields that Mark had, the other being the 'cursed' shield—so named because, after Mark’s passing, anybody who possessed it would get fired shortly thereafter," Brevoort told Newsarama. "That 'cursed' shield is long gone at this point."

Reportedly, the shield will be added to the set of The Colbert Report, along with Colbert's other mementos of democracy and liberty."