How to tell if a Babe Ruth pin is authentic?

[glchen]

I found a good thread telling how to figure out if the 1930 ESSO pin or the 1935 Quaker Oats Champion pin are authentic here: Link

However does anyone have any tips to determine if a 1934 Quaker Oats Babe Ruth pin is authentic or fake? Thanks!

[batsballsbases]

Gary,
I will try and answer your question about the ruth pin. I hope the scan is the one you are asking about. Here are the best questions to ask. 1 size the pin is just about 7/8 of an inch. 2 check the back more than the front these (real) pins tend to have a silvery back surface that seems to flake off over time. (but not all the time) If it looks honest as to the ware then it is probably good. 3 If the back looks more concave not flat and very silvery its probably good. 4 one of the best to look for is The Perisian Novelty Co. is printed on the back curl edge of the pin. ( BUT sometimes the printing gets cut off in the process of making the pin) You will need a loop to see the writing as it is small. Bottom line is it takes a long time and having many examples pass thru my hands to be able to tell if one is a good one or not. Price range for a decent one 60-150 un graded. A graded one above a 6 and higher 200-1000.... They are around and I would suggest an un graded one as grading of pins is so subjective .... I hope this helps you in your search... Enjoy...

[glchen]

Originally Posted by batsballsbases

Gary,
I will try and answer your question about the ruth pin. I hope the scan is the one you are asking about. Here are the best questions to ask. 1 size the pin is just about 7/8 of an inch. 2 check the back more than the front these (real) pins tend to have a silvery back surface that seems to flake off over time. (but not all the time) If it looks honest as to the ware then it is probably good. 3 If the back looks more concave not flat and very silvery its probably good. 4 one of the best to look for is The Perisian Novelty Co. is printed on the back curl edge of the pin. ( BUT sometimes the printing gets cut off in the process of making the pin) You will need a loop to see the writing as it is small. Bottom line is it takes a long time and having many examples pass thru my hands to be able to tell if one is a good one or not. Price range for a decent one 60-150 un graded. A graded one above a 6 and higher 200-1000.... They are around and I would suggest an un graded one as grading of pins is so subjective .... I hope this helps you in your search... Enjoy...

Thanks, Al, appreciate this!

[batsballsbases]

Originally Posted by glchen

Thanks, Al, appreciate this!