Quote:
Originally posted by Tom Earp
Associate pins.
Many Badges are found in estate of passed members. 
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Actually, I would say that 99% of all badges that end up on Ebay or in an antique store first make their way there from estate sales. Thank god for Ebay as I would imagine that before the internet, most old badges were just melted down for the gold content.
A few badges might trade among collectors, but no many. Every collector I know respects the heritage & significance of each badge.
Also, most collectors are not interested in more recent badges--and by recent I mean from the last 20 or 30 years. I would imagine that new badges are bought up by members who may have lost their original badge--newer one often sell on Ebay for less than you can get them from your Headquarters or official jeweler.
So my word of advice--make sure your family knows/your will states what you would like to have done with your badge.
As story--my sibling brother and I are in the same fraternity. His badge was stolen when his home was robbed. I bought an older badge for him on Ebay--but first I was able, via our HQ to locate the family of the original owner. I spoke to the deceased brothers wife, she had actually never seen the badge as the deceased brother had been "pinned" to another girl in college (he met his wife after college.) I asked her if she would like the badge, telling her I would be happy to send it to her if she could cover my cost & postage. The brothers widow asked me to call her back in a few day. When I did she said that she had discussed the matter with her children and they decided that my brother should have the badge; that way some part of her husbands fraternity legacy could live on thru my brother enjoying the badge. So you see--badges on Ebay can be a good thing.
Interfraternally,
The Ruby Eye