How much are your vintage Levi's worth? Rare denim jeans from the Fifties are selling for up to $8,000 on eBay



Vintage Levi’s, the pair your parents may have worn, are being snapped up by denim collectors for thousands of dollars - regardless of their condition.

Denim jeans or jackets manufactured before 1980, especially Levi's 501s, are a hot ticket for collectors, and one pair of 1950 Anniversary Levi Jeans is currently listed on eBay for $8,000.



But instead of hanging these jeans on the wall to be admired like a piece of valuable art, the expensive denim is meant to be worn; stains, holes, rips and all.

Denim collector's dream: This pair of 1950 anniversary Levi jeans is currently listed on eBay for $8,000

One pair of 1947 Levi’s 501XX jeans are listed at $5,750, with 11 offers made so far, and another stained pair of 'rare vintage Levi's' which feature a 'big letter "e" and hidden rivets' are listed for $899.

The seller notes: 'The Jeans are in vintage condition, they feel very old and brittle, I’m not sure if they could be worn without falling apart, but they are a great piece of Americana.' SO far four offers have been made.

According to San Francisco-based Denim Traders , which has specialized in vintage Levi's for two decades, there are several factors which determine the value vintage Levi's.

Investment pieces: This pair of 1947 Levi's 501 jeans with concealed rivets are listed at $5,750 on eBay, and so far 11 offers have been made so far

Condition is an important factor, and unworn pair with tags is 'always considered the best,' the website states.

A dark wash is worth more than faded denim, regardless of the condition, and sizing also plays a big role in a piece of denim's worth.

HOW MUCH IS YOUR PAIR OF LEVI'S WORTH? A VALUATION CHECKLIST:

Dark denim is worth more than a faded denim

A big 'E' on the Levis' tab is more valuable than a little 'e'

Selvage edges on a jean's inside cuff is also a high-value indicator

A leather patch is worth more than a paper patch on the back of the jeans



Collectors also look for concealed copper rivets



Sizing is important - a 30-inch waist will garner more interest than a 44-inch waist



'People want to collect the size that they actually wear,' explains the website. Jeans with a waist measurement of 32-inches to 36-inches, and a length measurement of 30-inches to 32-inches 'are going to be worth the most money.'



Thanks to the popularity of the Western movie and stars like John Wayne, blue jeans, which were originally designed as prospectors working britches, have gained the irresistible aura of romance and adventure.



For the baby boomers it was Marlon Brando and James Dean during the Fifties that established blue jeans as the ultimate uniform.

While the first Levi's, which featured only one pocket at the back, buttons for suspenders and copper rivets, are worth the most, a pair of original 501s can also pull a pretty penny.



The red tab on a pair of 501s’ right-back pocket is one way of dating a pair of Levi’s. These tabs first appeared in 1936, with the word 'LEVI’S' stitched in capital letters - but by 1971, only the letter 'L' was capitalized.

'If your jeans are sporting a big E, they're going to be worth more than the jeans that have a little e. The same is true for the jackets,' explains Denim Traders

Selvage edges on a jean's inside cuff is also a value indicator. Called 'redlines,' Levi Strauss began manufacturing 501s in the 19th century, and every pair up until 1980 will have a selvage edge.

Comparing value: A big 'E' on the Levis' tab (left) is more valuable than a little 'e' (right); from 1971 onwards, only the letter 'L' was capitalized

Spot the stitching: Selvage edges on a jean's inside cuff (left), instead of a stitched edge (right) is also a value indicator; every pair of Levi's up until 1980 will have a selvage edge

Double X: In 1936 Levi's introduced concealed rivets, known as 'double X,' where they are only visible inside the seat (pictured); in 1965, the rivets were reconfigured to be seen on the back pockets Well patched: A leather patch (pictured) is worth more than a paper patch on the back of the jeans Adjustable: If the jeans have a small belt, or cinch on the back to adjust the waist size, they're worth more still

If a pair is 'double X' - like the $5,750 pair currently on eBay - the jean will also go up in value.



In 1936 Levi's introduced concealed rivets, known as 'double X,' where they are only visible inside the seat. In 1965, the rivets were reconfigured to be seen on the back pockets.

'These rivets are a good thing when it comes to value. Collectors love them,' states Denim Traders.