Kite Pin Value Guide

This whimsical Kite Pin is a quintessential example of mid-to-late 20th-century novelty jewelry, featuring a luminous mother-of-pearl body and a delicate gold-tone tail. Popularized between the 1960s and 1980s in the United States, these pins allowed for affordable personal expression on lapels and scarves.

What affects the value of Kite Pin?

• Condition of the mother-of-pearl, specifically looking for chips, cracks, or loss of luster.
• Integrity of the gold-tone plating, as wear or pitting can reduce the value toward the lower $10 range.
• Presence of original packaging or maker's marks, though many were unsigned novelty pieces.
• Functionality of the pin mechanism and the security of the tail attachment.

How to Identify Kite Pin?

• Verify the body is made of genuine iridescent mother-of-pearl rather than plastic or resin.
• Check for the characteristic simple gold-tone metal tail and frame typical of 1960s-1980s U.S. production.
• Examine the pin back for a standard safety clasp or C-clasp consistent with late 20th-century manufacturing.
• Look for the distinct kite-shaped silhouette which was a popular whimsical motif during this era.

History of Kite Pin

Decorative pins and brooches have a long history, evolving from purely functional fasteners to significant statements of personal style and social status. In the early 20th century, particularly from the 1960s to 1980s, novelty pins like this kite design became popular, often reflecting whimsical or symbolic themes. They were affordable and allowed individuals to express their personalities through their attire, adorning lapels, hats, and scarves.