What makes a zippo valuable

The original purpose was for quality control. The date codes have since become an invaluable tool for Zippo collectors. Most lighters fabricated between and can be identified by style and model and the patent or patent-pending marks. There have been three major changes, as show in inset. From to the mid 50s, the word Zippo was stamped in block letters.

In the late 70s the logo was redesigned. It was incorporated into the bottom stamp in What began as a quality-control tool for Zippo founder George G. To identify a potential pattern in any run of lighters returned for repair, the bottom of every Zippo lighter was encoded with a series of markings.

Since the s, those markings provide a way to accurately date most Zippo lighters. Shop Now. The current date code system uses a letter and two-digit number to identify the month and year of manufacture. If your Zippo lighter needs repair, please visit our repair page for instructions.

Your cart is currently empty. Continue Shopping. Customize it! All Refillable Butane Rechargeable Electric. Zippo lighters were designed to be windproof, meaning that the flame would stay lit in any type of weather.

There are only two ways to extinguish a Zippo flame: by closing the lid or blowing on the flame directly from the top, so you'll be able to use your lighter in a variety of situations and climates. Collectible versions are available with a number of unique designs that often depict advertisements from everything from Ford automobiles to Jack Daniel's whiskey.

Not necessarily. While perusing the Zippo eBay section, you may notice that some of the lighters are more expensive than others — even those that were made around the same time and are similar in design. Still, it's unlikely that the cheaper units are being sold off because there's anything wrong with them. The difference in pricing likely has more to do with supply than with function since rarer units are bound to fetch a higher price. If you're buying the lighter for everyday use and not as a collector's item, then there's no reason to dismiss the less expensive ones.

Just check the specifications to make sure that all the necessary parts are included. Skip to main content. Shop by Category. Best Selling. See All - Best Selling. Zippo Lighter Fluid - 12 Oz. Zippo Lighter Armor Sterling Silver. Zippo Arc Rechargeable Lighter Insert.

Zippo Tumbled Brass Armor Lighter. All Auction Buy It Now.