IN THE NEWS
The current state of collecting seems to be growing and some old time, what they call, "real" badge collectors who collect police and fire badges have begun taking a look at the patrol badges. Who would have ever thought these inexpensive tin kids badges would be where it is today. It's a logical move and opens a whole new avenue for serious collectors. Some of the police and fire badges cost hundreds of dollars and it's nothing for them to plunk down $400-$500 or even $1000 for one badge! In our little world, that kind of money can get every badge that was ever manufactured since 1920. Of course money isn't everything. They have to come up for auction first and you're getting pretty savvy. Over the last year many of the rip-off sellers have left or stopped trying sell $25 China made badge as 50 year old "Baby Boomer" badges made in the 40's or 50's. The China -made AAA badges have a valid and a rightful place in telling the story of the School Safety Patrol. The Style 2C, with the AAA in the center of an oval are more susceptible to rusting and finding a clean well taken care of badge from this style from the 80's and 90's is getting harder and harder.
There have been increases in some styles and decreases in others. Once again, to keep everyone informed, there isn't any magical way we come to the pricing of badges on the chart. Watching the various online boards where people sell/auction the badges and checking "Worthpoint" we figure the availability and how often the come up, condition, what was the asking price and what it sold for. For example the Boomer Corporal Badge use to get over $300++. The recent sales of about 15 of them saw some of them sell for low $200's, so the price guide shows a red drop in value. Of course we all know prices go out of the window if 2-3 people bring the bidding up. I'm confident the guide gives people a good range of what spend for a certain badge. The guide also says for Mint Condition.
There is still "oddball" combining of different styles into what people call "a complete set". most noticeable is when they put a badge with the OVAL AAA on the front and mix it with a style without the front OVAL AAA. I want to scream. "CAN'T YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE" and sure enough someone new to collecting spent too much and actually bought it as a complete set!!!
All in all our passion for these bits of tin is growing. Some of the older styles rarely come up in VERY fine condition. Upgrade you collection NOW and put them away. I see the next 5 years going crazy with some heavy hitters getting into the game and they have some deep pockets.
