Antique advertising coinbox on ebay for sale for $175

[rfkimba]

Hi guys,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-ADVERTISING-COIN-BOX-CANDLESTICK-TELEPHONE-DETROIT-MICHIGAN-/310860651008

If you copy and paste this address you will get the  listing for  this advertising coin box circa 1920-1930 for buy it now at $175.  I was trying to learn more about how one establishes a certain value for this  item, its rarety and how popular it is among collectors. Ebay item #310860651008
Any advice?
Thanks,
Bob Farber

[poplar1]

Most of these are reproductions. I can't recall if the originals are green or black, but anything that is reproduced tends to bring down the value of the originals as well.

[Sargeguy]

These are common, even original examples, and I would not pay more than $75-100 for a nice example.  Make sure it has a key.

[TelePlay]

This coin box, or one like it, was recently seen in an eBay auction that included the stick. I'll see if I can find it.


This one sold for $141 in October 2013 in a 12 bid auction.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=10388.msg110370#msg110370


Ah, here is the AE rotary dial stick with a coin box which sold for $207 plus $16 shipping with 5 bids in the auction.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4543.msg118270#msg118270

[poplar1]

quote author=TelePlay link=topic=11110.msg118759#msg118759 date=1391307021]

Ah, here is the AE rotary dial stick with a coin box which sold for $207 plus $16 shipping with 5 bids in the auction.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4543.msg118270#msg118270

That's not an AE---rather, it's a repro WE with AE dial.

[TelePlay]

That's not an AE---rather, it's a repro WE with AE dial.

The point I was trying to make was there was a link to a similar coin box sold with a stick not long ago . . .  ,  not the stick that came with it.

This coin box, or one like it, was recently seen in an eBay auction that included the stick. I'll see if I can find it.

[poplar1]

The point I failed to make is that since the phone is repro, it is more likely that the courtesy box is also fake.

[TelePlay]

. . .  the courtesy box is also fake.

Good one, and most likely true.

[DavePEI]

Take a look at the decal. It is a fake. While in a photo it is very hard to see the dark, dark green of a genuine box, the giveaway is the decal is too smooth and shiny - too perfect .

All you need to recognize a fake of these is to have a real one in your hands for just a few minutes. I wish the dark, dark green of the genuine ones would photograph better - it is almost black, but shows up black in photos. With a lot of the fakes also being black, it is hard to tell unless holding it in person. But the decal is more of a give-away.

Photo below: Mine showing the rougher finish of the decal - the black looks about the same in the photo, but in person shows a distinct dark (almost black) green shade.

Dave

[TelePlay]

A bit off topic but as I was looking for something else in a google search, I hit upon this image and the site it came from. An interesting photo prop for their morning show. Phone and coin box look legit. It's a blog and listeners provide a long list of "telephone" songs if you scroll down at t his link.

http://www.wfuv.org/blog/090310/calling-all-music-lovers

[Sargeguy]

Here is another currently at $155:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261391508119

I paid $50 bucks for mine in similar condition.  I will need to dig it out of wherever I put it because I can think of a few things I would rather have for $150 than a Courtesy Coin Box!

[Contempra]

Here is another currently at $155

this coin box is in a good shape sargeguy but compared to yours, at this ( $155 ) price, it's too expensive, anyway the price is a little bit high depending of the quality too...