Vintage Gold Star Banjo Sales on eBay®

Last Sale Recorded May 11, 2011

Quick Links: 11  12  20  85  100  200  Hybrids  Serial Numbers     Other Japanese Brands

The tables below mention the "GS Blue" case. I now know this was the Superior 2903 case.

I do not appraise. Please do not ask me what your banjo is worth - I don't know.

Model 11 (archtop, mahogany)

Date US $ Model Year S/N Inlay Case Notes
08/18/03 930 G 11 W 1981 Wreath GS Blue
05/14/04 1,499 G 11 FE 1978 780078 Flying Eagle GS Blue
09/14/04 1,145 G 11 HF 1980 800285 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
04/30/05 935 G 11 HF 1977 770401 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
01/24/06 1,350 G 11 W 1980 800326 Wreath Semi-hard Lightly played
02/24/06 1,127 G 11 HF 1978 780174 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Appears to have water damage in resonator and rim
01/13/07 986 G 11 W 1981 810307 Wreath Hard Very dull nickel
01/24/07 1,536 G 11 HF 1978 780174 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Resale of 2/24/06
02/06/07 935 G 11 W 1986 86.1.38 Wreath Saga CP1530 Looks pristine
04/20/07 1,225 G 11 W 1977 770498 Wreath GS Blue Looks clean. Converted to flat head but original AT ring included in sale.
04/21/07 1,526 G 11 FE 1976 760287 Flying Eagle Hard Clean. D-tuners; original pegs included. Small s/n label.
12/01/07 1,085 G 11 HF 1979 790199 Hearts & Flowers Saga CP1530 Well-played but good condition. Buckle mar on heel. Metal needs cleaning.
09/03/08 726 G 11 FE 1982 820026 Flying Eagle Hard Serious but fixable peghead break. Hard to tell condition from photos. Case shows rough wear.
10/30/08 999 G 11 HF 1981 810518 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Original Fifth String head. Metal looks very rough but wood finish looks clean. Photos bad. Owner reports pristine except for metal tarnish.
02/26/09 1,050 G 11 HF 1981 810518 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Now with Fiberskyn head, Snuffy Smith bridge, spikes. Seller claims metal cleaned but no evidence in photos. Original rim in; custom block rim provided in sale.

Model 12 (archtop, maple, natural finish, rosewood stripe in laminated neck)

Date US $ Model Year S/N Inlay Case Notes
01/23/04 1,198 G 12 W 1981 Wreath unknown
02/12/04 1,250 G 12 HF 1978 780391 Hearts & Flowers unknown (red)
03/10/04 1,282 G 12 HF 1984 84013x Hearts & Flowers GS Blue D Tuners
04/04/04 1,250 G 12 HF 1983 830076 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pittman Capo
05/08/04 1,080 G 12 HF 1983 830076? Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pittman Capo
05/17/04 1,195 G 12 HF 1983 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
02/28/05 1,175 G 12 W 1984 840168 Wreath GS Blue
03/06/05 1,335 G 12 HF 1983 830076 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pittman Capo
04/02/05 885 G 12 HF Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
06/12/05 1,200 G 12 W 1980 800109 Wreath GS Blue
08/11/05 1,100 G 12 W 1982 820058 Wreath Original Pristine; "un-played;" original head. I bought this one.
09/25/05 970 G 12 W 1980 800110 Wreath Semi-Hard D Tuners
11/28/05 1,404 G 12 HF 1983 830008 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
01/26/06 900 G 12 W 1984 840168 Wreath GS Blue
08/21/06 1,425 G 12 W 1978? Wreath GS Blue No serial number label.
09/25/06 1,026 G 12 W 1980 800110 Wreath Hard Clear head.
12/10/07 1,400 G 12 HF 1977 770425 Wreath Original No picture of case.
03/01/10 1,071 G 12 HF 1981 810092 Hearts & Flowers Original Clean except for some roughness and minor pitting on metal parts.

Model 20 (J. D. Crowe Signature Model, Gold Hardware)

Date US $ Model Year S/N Inlay Case Notes
11/07/04 4,161 G 20 JD 1981 810045 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
03/27/05 4,154 G 20 JD 1981 810028 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pristine
04/27/05 3,600 G 20 JD 1981 810042 Hearts & Flowers Hard
08/12/05 3,150 G 20 JD 1981 810015 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue D Tuners, 5th capo holes, buyer paid 5% PayPal surcharge over actual $3000 sell price
04/30/06 4,000 G 20 JD 1981 810056 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Looks to be in excellent shape.
10/07/06 3,481 G 20 JD 1984 84.5.44 Hearts & Flowers unknown Heel modified; worn plating
11/28/07 2,650 G 20 JD 1984 831232 Hearts & Flowers none Fingerboard wear. No case. S/N not confirmed.
09/12/09 3,500 G 20 JD 1981 810068 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Appears good. Armrest worn.

Model 85

Date US $ Model Year S/N Inlay Case Notes
03/23/04 1,125 GF 85 1979 790155 Leaves & Bows GS Blue
10/18/04 910 GF 85 1985 850097 Leaves & Bows TKL G. Price sold Josh Smith's
01/10/05 995 GF 85 1985 850097 Leaves & Bows TKL
02/09/05 949 GF 85 1985 850097 Leaves & Bows TKL
07/09/05 806 GF 85 1985 85.5.18 Leaves & Bows unknown European Sale
08/14/06 615 GF 85 1985 85.19.15? Leaves & Bows Gibson No truss rod cover; may be rough; poor photos
01/30/09 925 GF 85 1985 85.10.38 Leaves & Bows Semi-Hard Schaller D-tuners
02/26/10 820 GF 85 1982 8x004x Leaves & Bows GS Blue Very clean for age. Serial number hard to make out

Model 100

Date US $ Model Year S/N Inlay Case Notes
08/03/03 1,475 GF 100 HF 1985 856004 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
11/17/03 1,275 GF 100 HF 1986 86305? Hearts & Flowers Hard
12/05/03 1,640 GF 100 HF 1985 850018 Hearts & Flowers Hard
12/18/03 1,030 GF 100 HF 1980 800051 Hearts & Flowers Hard
01/14/04 861 GA 100 HF Hearts & Flowers Hard no s/n label, 80s
02/09/04 1,100 GF 100 HF 1986 86.3.11 Flying Eagle unknown
03/16/04 1,375 GF 100 HF 1979 790439 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
05/24/04 885 GA 100 HF Hearts & Flowers unknown no s/n label, resale of -3203
06/09/04 1,300 GF 100 FE 1986 86.1.20 Flying Eagle Hard
06/12/04 1,425 GF 100 HF 1986 860156 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
07/17/04 710 GF 100 FE 1986 860175 Flying Eagle GS Blue Sanded neck
09/30/04 1,463 GF 100 FE 1979 790213 Flying Eagle GS Blue Shubb 5th capo
10/26/04 1,500 GF 100 HF 1985 850052 Hearts & Flowers Hard
11/21/04 1,000 GF 100 HF Hearts & Flowers unknown
12/17/04 1,475 GF 100 FE 1985 850067 Flying Eagle TKL Keith tuners, new case
12/27/04 1,350 GF 100 HF 1984 840318 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue?
01/20/05 1,302 GF 100 FE 1980 800218 Flying Eagle GS Blue
04/04/05 1,399 GF 100 HF 1983 830080 Hearts & Flowers unknown
04/25/05 1,533 GF 100 W 1984 840147 Wreath Semi-Hard
06/17/05 1,627 GF 100 FE 1979 790134 Flying Eagle GS Blue
06/25/05 1,026 GF 100 HF 1980 800010 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue repaired neck crack, no case handle, 5th tunner glued
08/06/05 1,349 GF 100 FE 1986 860175 Flying Eagle GS Blue Refinished neck, new hooks
09/25/05 940 GF 100 HF 1980 800018 Hearts & Flowers unknown Headstock break
10/01/05 1,458 GF 100 HF 1986 860158 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Excellent condition, some pitting
10/10/05 785 GF 100 HF 1982 820051 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Severe pitting; possible moisture exposure
12/08/05 1,500 GF 100 HF 1981 810606 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Original owner sells; lightly used
12/13/05 1,200 GF 100 HF 1981 810280 Hearts & Flowers Hard Very clean
12/23/05 1,124 GF 100 FE 1979 790109 Flying Eagle GS Blue?
01/22/06 700 GF 100 W 1983 830096 Wreath GS Blue
02/06/06 1,328 GF 100 FE 1982 820076 Flying Eagle Calton Avg price even with Calton case
02/11/06 1,400 GF 100 HF 1978 780370 Flying Eagle Semi-Hard HF on s/n label; FE inlays. Randy Bartlett requested FE neck with original purchase in 1978. Factory-supplied that way.
08/13/06 1,250 GF 100 W 1984 840147 Wreath Hard See 04/25/05; $283 loss.
08/21/06 1,499 GF 100 W 1984 Wreath Hard Initials carved in Mastertone inlay.
08/23/06 810 GF 100 HF 1982 820061 Hearts & Flowers Hard Poor photos; sellers calls it "cosmetically challenged."
11/08/06 1,375 GF 100 HF 1981 810252 Hearts & Flowers Superior Keith tuners
02/07/07 1,779 GF 100 HF 1981 810041 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue
02/20/07 1,479 GF 100 W 1983 83.10.15 Wreath unknown Non-original tuners.
04/08/07 1,285 GF 100 FE 1982 820076 Flying Eagle Hard Pretty clean but could not see fretboard. Resale of 02/06/06, but changed hands.
05/12/07 1,241 GF 100 HF 1984 840271 Hearts & Flowers S&S Very clean.
06/08/07 1,200 GF 100 HF 1978 780123 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Very clean; Shubb capo.
09/02/07 833 GF 100 HF 1983 83.10.19 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Signs of wear. Non-original tailpiece.
09/03/07 910 GF 100 HF 1978 780255 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Price tailpiece; Shubb capo.
12/02/07 1,275 GF 100 FE 1979 790213 Flying Eagle GS Blue Excellent condition; may have some low fret wear. $200 loss after 3 years.
04/19/09 1,000 GF 100 HF 1979 790104 Hearts & Flowers Hard Appears in good shape; has Fiberskyn head
05/10/09 1,725 GF 100 W 1980 800222 Wreath GS Blue Some wear but looks pretty good. Astounding Price.
05/11/11 737 GF 100 HF 1986 860156 Hearts & Flowers TKL See 06/12/04. Now with Gotoh tuners; originals gone.

Model 200

Date US $ Model Year S/N Inlay Case Notes
02/14/04 1,795 GF 200 1985 85.10.09 Hearts & Flowers unknown
11/21/04 1,476 GF 200 1985 85.1.08 Hearts & Flowers unknown Headstock crack repair
01/02/05 0 GF 200 1985 85.1.08 Hearts & Flowers unknown Did not sell; winner rejected it
01/06/05 1,000 GF 200 1985 85.1.08 Hearts & Flowers unknown BIN
06/06/05 1,350 GF 200 1985 85.1.08 Hearts & Flowers unknown BIN
01/26/06 1,700 GF 200 1984 84.12.08 Hearts & Flowers Original Headstock crack repair
12/12/09 1,450 GF 200 1985 85.5.13 Hearts & Flowers Original? Looks pretty good. Case questionable.

Model Hybrid (Neck & Pot do not match)

Date US $ Pot Year Pot S/N Neck Inlay Case Notes
10/07/04 1,145 G 11 HF 1981 810525 Wreath unknown HF on s/n label; wreath inlays
11/22/04 1,595 GF 100 W 1981 810360 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue? W on s/n label; H&F inlays. Price seems high for hybrid.
12/01/04 630 unknown Hearts & Flowers none GS neck; FQ AT Pot, heel repair. Unknown tone ring (FQ or GS?).
01/09/05 1,495 GF 100 W 1981 810360 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue? W on s/n label; H&F inlays. Resale (see 11/22/04).
02/06/05 910 GF 100 W 1981 810360 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue? W on s/n label; H&F inlays. Resale (see above).
02/10/05 1,000 G 11 HF 1981 810525 Wreath TKL HF on s/n label; wreath inlays
08/13/08 850 G 12 W Wreath unknown No s/n label; flat head. Either a conversion or rim replaced. Neck shows heavy use. Unknown tone ring.
05/29/09 750 GF 100 FE 1978 780202 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Original pot with contemporary Gold Star neck. Cam-style detuners. Case is rough. Heavy wear evident on armrest.
10/03/09 760 GF 100 FE 1978 780202 Hearts & Flowers Recording King See above. Very worn armrest. Ding on resonator. New D-tuners. May have undergone changes since May.

 

Gold Star Models by Serial Number

There are two types of serial numbers, one with dots and one without. It is widely assumed that the format without the dots means year-month-serial and, indeed, that even the fixed 6-digit format means the same thing. Another school of thought holds that the middle digits, whether delimited by dots or not, means a lot number. Paul Hawthorne suspected that the numeric format included the month and the dotted format a lot number, but he was never able to get firm evidence.

In addition, Hawthorne contended that Gold Star serial number labels were not affixed until the banjo left Saga's warehouse in California and that the leading two digits thus convey the date of sale, not the date of manufacture.

S/N Family Model
760287 11 G 11 FE
770401 11 G 11 HF
770425 12 G 12 HF
770498 11 G 11 W
780078 11 G 11 FE
780123 100 GF 100 HF
780174 11 G 11 HF
780202 Hybrid GF 100 FE
780255 100 GF 100 HF
780370 100 GF 100 HF
780391 12 G 12 HF
790104 100 GF 100 HF
790109 100 GF 100 FE
790134 100 GF 100 FE
790155 85 GF 85
790199 11 G 11 HF
790213 100 GF 100 FE
790439 100 GF 100 HF
800010 100 GF 100 HF
800018 100 GF 100 HF
8x004x 85 GF 85
800051 100 GF 100 HF
800109 12 G 12 W
800110 12 G 12 W
800218 100 GF 100 FE
800222 100 GF 100 W
800285 11 G 11 HF
800326 11 G 11 W
810015 20 G 20 JD
810028 20 G 20 JD
810041 100 GF 100 HF
810042 20 G 20 JD
810045 20 G 20 JD
810056 20 G 20 JD
810068 20 G 20 JD
810092 12 G 12 HF
810252 100 GF 100 HF
810280 100 GF 100 HF
810307 11 G 11 W
810360 Hybrid GF 100 W
810518 11 G 11 HF
810525 Hybrid G 11 HF
810606 100 GF 100 HF
820026 11 G 11 FE
820051 100 GF 100 HF
820058 12 G 12 W
820061 100 GF 100 HF
820076 100 GF 100 FE
830008 12 G 12 HF
830076 12 G 12 HF
830076? 12 G 12 HF
830080 100 GF 100 HF
830096 100 GF 100 W
83.10.15 100 GF 100 W
83.10.19 100 GF 100 HF
831232 20 G 20 JD
84013x 12 G 12 HF
840147 100 GF 100 W
840168 12 G 12 W
840271 100 GF 100 HF
840318 100 GF 100 HF
84.5.44 20 G 20 JD
84.12.08 200 GF 200
850018 100 GF 100 HF
850052 100 GF 100 HF
850067 100 GF 100 FE
850097 85 GF 85
85.1.08 200 GF 200
85.5.13 200 GF 200
85.5.18 85 GF 85
85.10.09 200 GF 200
85.10.38 85 GF 85
85.19.15? 85 GF 85
856004 100 GF 100 HF
86.1.20 100 GF 100 FE
86.1.38 11 G 11 W
860156 100 GF 100 HF
860158 100 GF 100 HF
860175 100 GF 100 FE
86.3.11 100 GF 100 HF
86305? 100 GF 100 HF