What does, by the way, become of badges returned to HQ for whatever reason? Are they kept or sold to members? [/B][/QUOTE]

They are considered "Heritage Badges" and some are displayed and some are worn by members of Grand Council. If there are a lot of a particular style, they are offered for sale at Convention.

Oh wow. Sorry to crash, but if I had the money I'd rescue that pin for you guys! Its incredible.

Unfortunately the high bidder right now looks like a collector. (And he collects some weird stuff. . .recent purchases include antique dental molds, an Ultracet snow globe, and a paper mache George Washington candy holder. People buy weird crap on ebay.)

HAHAHAHA antique dental mold.

here's my fingers crossed that a Pi Phi gets it..........

Not to worry, ladies, Tyregon did NOT get the diamond 1934 badge from CO Alpha-- I did! Unfortunately, I simply can't justify spending $1600+ for the IC badge-- wish I could-- those pins are very rare (and below in the HQ heritage collection).

I checked what those top bidders had bought recently too-- interesting stuff. Scary thought is that the high bidder yesterday on the IC badge was also buying leather bustier and gloves-- then again, my recent purchases don't necessarily say "pi phi" either.

I'm glad you got that diamond badge!!!

I looked up that stuff the highest bidder recently bought too, interesting to say the least! I wish someone from HQ could get it, well I wish really it had never ended up on Ebay!

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Holy Toledo, $5200 for the IC badge!?!

I put it on my watch list just to see where it would go. Apparently the answer is, through the ceiling, past the roof, and up into the stratosphere. Is that some kind of record for a pin that wasn't a founder's? It's hard to believe anyone could expect to resell it for more than that, so at least I think Pi Phis can have confidence that if a collector bought it, that collector apparently values it very highly and will treasure it and take very good care of it.

I second that thought-at least you know it won't be thrown away, put in a garage sale, or melted down for the gold. Oh-and you already know that there aren't descendants searching high and low for their ancestor's pin! ;-)

I missed the end of that auction.. when I last checked it was $3000+... wow... that is definitely out of my budget and certainly more than our archivist could have paid. WOW. If some collector is paying that much, they'll take care of it. Much as I'd like it to be in the hands of a Pi Phi (and resent the greed of that family member, who's relative is rolling over in her grave at the disrespect to sell her possessions on EBAY), whatever collector is willing to shell out $5200 values the heritage of a 100+ year old badge.

Here's another one...very pretty!

That one is, indeed a vintage pin (anyone here from Miami U?).

There are several ways that you can tell if a badge is truly old, and perhaps worth paying more than new badges. Until the mid 70s, the badge was engraved with either name or initials and (really old arrows have names), initiation dates or initiation numbers. My sister was initiated in 1977 and her arrow has her initiation number on it. I was initiated in 1979 and just have a random number on mine but there IS a number. If there is no number or name engraved on the back of the shaft of the arrow, then the pin is not very old. The seller should be able to tell you what, if anything is engraved there. Pins were made by Balfour until recently... so if the pins is from Masters of Design, it is NOT old enough to be worth more than what you'd pay for a new one... and becones a profit item for collectors who don't value our golden arrow for what it truly represents.

While the situation of selling pins on ebay is highly disheartening, I am very happy to see that so many people care about a piece of our history!

Since there's been talk of HQ buying up the pins and the lack of funds to do so...

I would like to take this time to remind everyone of how IMPORTANT it is to pay your dues (no matter the GLO) and remain active after graduation!

Maybe if all alumnae dues were collected (and maybe a little more from those who are able) HQ could allot more $$ for acquiring pins and other items. OR maybe if all alumnae remained active, there would be more support within local alumnae clubs to purchase the items for their officers or maybe for local collegiate chapter officers.

Just remember ... you weren't a Pi Phi... you ARE a Pi Phi.


~Susan (former Membership Chair who loved her position)

Well said, Susan! My intent with the diamond badge I purchased on ebay is to give it to CO Alpha for use as an award/ recognition. When I was a collegiate we had a ruby badge that was worn by the member with most improved GPA (you only got to wear it for a quarter) and a diamond-tip badge that was our "bride's pin"-- you wore it under your wedding dress (and someone from the chapter would retrieve it during the reception... although I know it went to the Bahamas at least once!). Anyone else have donated heritage badges in their chapters?

We also had a brides pin, one with pearls, that the girl wore for sometime after her candlelight then passed to whoever was next.

Yes, we have two. They're both honors for outstanding chapter leaders.