Two Questions

[Sal Williams]

First, why are tropical eagles so much cheaper than non tropical?
Second, are cutoff insignia more or less valuable than mint examples? I like the cutoffs better, as do seemingly many folks, but it seems as if mint still command a bit higher price. Is that true?

[Colorado]

With regard to the SS tropical eagles, I obtained 3 one time from a Vet family cut off a roll. I imagine there were many, many rolls of tropical eagles in leftover stock. Used to see a lot at shows too, in long uncut lengths, not so much anymore.

Would think a used SS tropical eagle might command more money the same as used Heer tropical eagles do as they are better for uniform restoration.

[dhcoleterracina]

Sal, it's mostly personal preference. I personally don't want an unissued piece but for others, that may be all they collect. There was a time when a cut-off [ insignia with a hunk of the uniform behind it ] was less than a mint piece. That was long ago. Now cut-offs are often 3-4 times the cost of a unissued example.

I prefer an item that was part of history and not something recovered in rolls in some warehouse after the war. I remember being at shows and seeing big rolls of eagles. The dealer with scissors would ask "How many?". I don't want to beat up anyone who collects those, they're real and often all someone can afford, just not for me.

[dhcoleterracina]

[kyles bullets]

Sal, it's mostly personal preference. I personally don't want an unissued piece but for others, that may be all they collect. There was a time when a cut-off [ insignia with a hunk of the uniform behind it ] was less than a mint piece. That was long ago. Now cut-offs are often 3-4 times the cost of a unissued example.

I prefer an item that was part of history and not something recovered in rolls in some warehouse after the war. I remember being at shows and seeing big rolls of eagles. The dealer with scissors would ask "How many?". I don't want to beat up anyone who collects those, they're real and often all someone can afford, just not for me.

My views on most insignia!

[Ian Hulley]

First, why are tropical eagles so much cheaper than non tropical?

Classic 'supply & demand' scenario, many thousands were found on the roll and even if you collect all the style variants they are reasonably able to come across.

Second, are cutoff insignia more or less valuable than mint examples? I like the cutoffs better, as do seemingly many folks, but it seems as if mint still command a bit higher price. Is that true?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but personally I like to see the item 'in context' rather than cut from a roll that sat in a tailor's shop for 60 years+. The whole 'cut-off' market is so fraught with danger that without provenance I would only pay the value of the insignia alone and no cut-off premium.

Ian