Thanks Guys! I put that one in my cart in hopes they shoot me a deal, if not I'll snag it later today

It may be true of all memorabilia, but I think pins are especially hard to “value”…

First, you’ll have the situation of multiple ebay bidders but with only two putting in big bids. Let’s say you had last minute snipes of $132, $475 and $500. The pin will sell for $480, but without either of the high bids, it would have gone for $133. Is it really “worth” $480? We’ve all experienced what I call “that one other guy” who either beats you or costs you a lot of money. And now, with the $500 bidder out of the way, the same pin might go for significantly less if it comes up again. There have definitely been times where, in hindsight, I was glad I lost out the first time around. Some of Paul’s inflated “values” may be due to the fact he regularly dueled with another big time pin collector.

Another factor, I think, affects pin value for a team collector like myself. I often joke with my fellow Giants collectors that “after you, me and he gets one,” these pins go for peanuts. That is, after we fight among ourselves, there’s no one for the next bidder to fight with. I know a newer Giants team collector who is frustrated some pins I have are now hard to find but if he does find them he usually gets them for less than what I paid (not always).

PM-10’s may be easier to value than “team” pins but, again, I almost think their value actually goes down as the collectors who want them, get them. To me, only the super rare, “seen once every 10 years” pins can really be assigned a value. Am I making any sense?

If you're interested, you can also ask him if he has a copy of the Munchisky book available. He thinks he may have a copy or 2 left.

I tend to follow a very simple rule about valuing collectibles. I don’t pay much attention to eBay sold prices or “comps”. What a buyer and seller sold a particular item for yesterday, last week, last month is irrelevant to me. That’s them. I’m me. There really can’t be a price guide for collectibles in my mind. I may ask a fellow collector what they might value something at, but the ultimate decision to buy or sell at a particular price is mine.

Example: You have a Mantle signed ball that want to buy. Would you sell it for $1? No. $100? Probably not. $1,000? Well, now I’ve probably got your attention. So $1,000 is the ceiling. I ask, would you take $200?
You: $900?
Me: $300?
You: $800?

And so, we dance.

Sometimes, I pay over “comps” because I see something that I must own. Sometimes, I offer less than comps because that’s what I value it at.

I agree with you, and have experienced the “one other guy” scenario. Like you, there are times I was a disappointed under bidder only to be glad later to get the same type of item for a lot less because the “other guy” wasn’t bidding this time. In such scenarios, applying the concept of current market value is complicated. But the point in my post is really directed to much more commonly available pins, of which there are often multiples selling on eBay for less, sometimes quite a bit, than the listed value. It’s not a big deal to me but I point this out for newer pin collectors.

+1

Just picked this up...

Just picked this up..

Maris x3
Photo was taken at an angle so it appears each pin is progressively smaller lol

Saw this at an antiques show and the vendor wanted $200 !!!!

Ever buy a group of pinback buttons just to get one?

Haven’t seen much activity on this thread lately other than what I’ve posted. Everyone still collecting pinback buttons?

Based on the prices of things I try to buy, it is clear that people are still collecting pinbacks. Although they have no interest in any I'm trying to sell.

1958 Tommy Davis
 

This one wasn't in the Muchinsky guide or any other reference that I had, so was shocked to find it on Etsy, of all places.

Just picked this up...

1954 Grape Nuts Mantle
 

Can anyone tell me how the hobby knows this is a 1954 Grape Nuts issue and is there a printed reference guide that lists this button?


Asking for a friend. Thanks.

I have never seen that pin or been aware of that set. I found this old reference that mentions the pin but doesn’t really answer your question. If there is a checklist, I would love to see it. Might there be a Mays pin?

https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/c...mantle-buttons

Just got this...

Love that one!

Never seen that one before. Neat!