Phony Collectibles

[Rubone]

If you are a new collector of vintage motorcycle memorabilia don't fall for this phony junk! More and more of this kind of stuff is appearing on eBay. Be careful!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28459095888...a2c4%7Ciid%3A1

[joe fxs fxr]

If you are a new collector of vintage motorcycle memorabilia don't fall for this phony junk! More and more of this kind of stuff is appearing on eBay. Be careful!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28459095888...a2c4%7Ciid%3A1

I know you know your stuff, but for us uninformed, what was your tip-off it is fake? It does look too nice to be old.

[rms337]

Wow...$500? Is that a normal going price for an authentic pin, or too cheap?

[Rubone]

I know you know your stuff, but for us uninformed, what was your tip-off it is fake? It does look too nice to be old.

There are a variety of clues, however the major one is that H-D never offered a 300,000 mile pin in their program. (modern stuff doesn't count, we are talking 1950s here), the finishes are too bright, the casting mark on it is something never seen, the pin back attachment,etc. There is a lot of fake stuff out there with more all the time. The seller may not even be aware of it.
As to the price that stuff is all over the board. Some 100,00 mile first version mileage club pins have gone that high. It depends on who is buying and how badly they want something.

[exeric]

Just curious, Robbie; could anyone buy a mileage pin in the day from a dealer, or did you have to be a legitimate owner with dealer verification to get a mileage pin?

[T. Cotten]

Just curious, Robbie; could anyone buy a mileage pin in the day from a dealer, or did you have to be a legitimate owner with dealer verification to get a mileage pin?

"Vintage" and "authentic" are subjective, Folks!

Did mileage pins even exist?

Somebody put a lot of time, trouble, and effort into fantasy pieces?

Good for them.

:....Cotten

[Rubone]

Just curious, Robbie; could anyone buy a mileage pin in the day from a dealer, or did you have to be a legitimate owner with dealer verification to get a mileage pin?

The "Mileage Club" required a signed form submitted from the dealer at which point the factory sent out a membership card along with the appropriate pin, either a 25, 50 , or 100 thousand mile version. It began in the early '50s and there were several variations of the pins produced for H-D.

DCP_4751.JPG

[ammorest]

Yes, Tom, they did exist. Back in the seventies I got one from Harley. You just had to tell them what you rode and how many miles. They took your word for it because Harley riders are honest. Right? Mine has the 60's-70's logo at the top and below that is "50,000 Mile Club" over a red background. Below that is a 65 to 67 Elecrtra=Glide. Now here's the funny (?) part. They must have made the casting from a reverse negative picture because the bike is shown from the right side but you can make out the mousetrap, oil tank, coil and primary cover. Plus it has bubble bags! Would these mistakes make it more collectable/valuable?
Dave

[T. Cotten]

Great Dave!

Now please tell us what's wrong with the fleabay jewels.

Are they too good?

....Cotten

[govmule84]

There are a variety of clues, however the major one is that H-D never offered a 300,000 mile pin in their program. (modern stuff doesn't count, we are talking 1950s here), the finishes are too bright, the casting mark on it is something never seen, the pin back attachment,etc. There is a lot of fake stuff out there with more all the time. The seller may not even be aware of it.
As to the price that stuff is all over the board. Some 100,00 mile first version mileage club pins have gone that high. It depends on who is buying and how badly they want something.

I'll stack on this, too... the typeface in "Harley-Davidson" is incorrect and the thickness varies wildly... most genuine H-D stuff is way nicer than that; Harley didn't crank out crap.

The logo is huge, too. The only vintage ones I've seen were made by Leavens Pin Co. out of Mass. They're out of business now, but their maker's mark is tiny... like I need a loupe to see them on any pin of theirs I have owned.

To Cotten's point, it also looks too nice. A fifty-year old pin does not shine that way; it should be a bit tarnished, even if kept in a dry environment.

I have no idea what one of those is worth, but $500 feels expensive to me, even if it WAS real. I have a 50th pin and a Harley factory visitor pin like Robbie has in his glass case there, and while they were not cheap, they sure weren't $500...

—L.

[Chris Haynes]

From Andy Verrone's Santa Monica Harley-Davidson. 20220116_181709.jpg

[PaulCDF]

Ebay to begin authenticating trading cards sold for $750 or more in the U.S.


Market Watch
Jan. 25, 2022, 08:16 AM
Ebay Inc. said Tuesday that it is expanding its "Authenticity Guarantee" to trading cards.
The e-commerce site will start with trading cards sold for $750 or more by mid-2022, and will
extend the guarantee to those sold for $250 or more after that. The service also includes handbags
sold for $500 or more, watches sold for $2,000 or more, and sneakers sold for $100 or more.
Trading cards are one of eBay's top selling categories, with $2 billion in transactions for the first
half of 2021. Cards put through the authentication process will receive a unique QR code to affirm its
resale value. Ebay stock is up 4.2% over the past year while the S&P 500 index has gained 14.4% for
the period.

Source:
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/ebay-to-begin-authenticating-trading-cards-sold-for-$750-or-more-in-the-u-s--10959432#:~:text=Ebay%20Inc.%20said%20Tuesday%20th at%20it%20is%20expanding,those%20sold%20for%20%242 50%20or%20more%20after%20that.

Maybe SOMEDAY they will extend this practice to Motorcycle Collectibles (Might be a niche role for an advisor).

[pan620]

How about these I have my doubts, but not educated panhead pins.jpg

[Rubone]

How about these I have my doubts, but not educated panhead pins.jpg

Fantasy...that pin was never offered in a hatpin/stickpin configuration.

[pan620]

Thanks for the education