Lionel Employee Service Pins

[R Scott Janis]

My grandmother and grandfather worked for Lionel in the 30s through the 60s.  I now have three employee service pins that belonged to my grandmother - 5 year, 10 year, and 10k gold 15 year pin.  I haven't had any luck researching their value.  Would someone be able to guide me in the right direction?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Raymond

[Stourbridge Lion]

To me they would be priceless that I would keep in the family for generations to come...

[R Scott Janis]

No family left but thanks for the advice. 

[Seayakbill]

They show up on E-bay every now & then. They don't command big buck pricing, about $25 to $50 per service pin.

[cwburfle]

I think they go for quite a bit more than $25 to $50.

Here is one that went for $195

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10k-Lionel-Train-Service-Award-Lapel-Pin-/260945138090?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3cc18ad1aa

[Bob Keller]

In Bob Osterhoff's book Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Paper and Collectibles (long out of print, but available now from the author as a digital pub and even a tablet edition) he has a brief discussion of employee service pins (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years).

You might check out his website at trainpaper.com.

[Seayakbill]

I have seen the pins sell for a lot less than that. Strange bidding process, originally up for bid at $75 with a buy it now at $195. Someone really wanted the pin to bypass the opening bid of $75.

[cwburfle]

Seayakbill

I have seen the pins sell for a lot less than that. Strange bidding process, originally up for bid at $75 with a buy it now at $195. Someone really wanted the pin to bypass the opening bid of $75.

I didn't realize it was sold as a buy-it-now.  It probably would have gone higher.

But then again, one never knows. There is a limited market for these sort of items. And once those who want the items have theirs the price drops.