Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle Microphone Value Guide

The Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle is a legendary high-impedance crystal microphone celebrated for its brilliant chrome finish and iconic eagle crest. Originally released as a special edition to honor the D-104's 1930s heritage, it remains a centerpiece for amateur radio enthusiasts due to its distinctive 'G' grip-to-talk stand.

What Is Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle Microphone Worth?

The typical price range for Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle Microphone is $180 - $200 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Physical condition of the chrome plating, specifically looking for pitting or 'peeling' on the base.
• Functional status of the crystal element, as these components can degrade over time and affect audio output.
• Presence of original factory wiring and the specific connector type used for radio interfacing.
• The clarity and preservation of the eagle crest engraving on the back of the lollipop-style head.

How to Identify Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle Microphone?

• Verify the presence of the engraved eagle emblem on the rear of the microphone head.
• Check for the high-polish chrome-plated steel finish on both the head and the zinc die-cast base.
• Confirm the 'G' style grip-to-talk handle mechanism is functional and original to the stand.
• Inspect the internal crystal element, which was the standard transducer for this era of Astatic production.

History of Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle Microphone

First introduced in the 1930s, the D-104 became an icon of amateur radio. The Silver Eagle version was a special edition released to celebrate the model's longevity and performance in the CB and ham radio communities, featuring a polished chrome base and a grip-to-talk stand.