Recovery Key

Apple offers 6 digit verification code which gives me access but no mechanism to reissue a new

RK- key for old iOS 5.1.1 iPod..

Not true.

If you have your password and your trusted device, you can create a new recovery key. If you don't have the password or trusted device, you are permanently locked out of that account.

See >>> https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT204152

What you have to do is is request a verification code first:

Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication - Apple Support

And for the recovery key that is your current Apple ID password + the verification code (like 123456):

Thus your recovery key would be: password123456

If your AppleID is using the newer 2 factor authentication, then nothing related to the older 2 step verification applies. When you switched your AppleID to 2 factor authentication, you un-enrolled it from 2 step verification.

Anything requiring access with your AppleID on the older devices has to be used by appending the Apple 2 factor authentication 6-digit code to your AppleID password.

Nothing about 2 step verification applies any longer to your AppleID nor anything you login to with your AppleID once you switch to 2 factor authentication.

There is no option to replace a recovery key anywhere on the apple ID site. However, all these articles posted point you to the apple ID site to replace your recovery key. The option doesn't exist. I just talked to Apple phone support, and he pointed me to the same place and was as confused as I was on how to get one.

How does one go about getting a recovery key?

Thanks.

According to this article the Recovery Key option for 2 Factor Authentication has been removed.

https://www.macworld.com/article/2945781/apple-drops-recovery-key-in-new-two-factor-authentication-for-el-capitan-and-ios-9.html

If you are using 2 Factor Authentication (not 2 step verification) there is no recovery key. Apple 2FA has never used a recovery key. Only the older 2 step verification used recovery keys.