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Collector Signs Don’t tive route shields from specific states or historic ing an authentic, government-issued sign taken

Block Up The Scenery U.S. routes are quite popular. Outdated symbol from a public post is illegal because it is consid-
or text designs replaced by modern traffic safety
ered stolen public property. So stay legal. Other-
By Chuck N. Baker codes are highly collectible.. wise you might “sign away” your freedom in jail!
You can legally buy old street signs as long
Some people say that there are too many as they are retired, surplus, or decommissioned
signs. Now look, I’m not talking about a sign municipal property rather than stolen public as-
from above. I’m talking about road signs, signs sets. Authentic used and vintage signs typically
on doors, signs inside offices and stores and cost anywhere from $30 to $250 depending on
medical offices. But if you want to collect those their age, material, and rarity. Buying old street
types of signs, well, maybe there are not enough signs is legal if you bought them legitimately
of them! through official government surplus auctions,
Collecting street signs is a unique hobby scrap yards, or authorized municipal sales.
that involves gathering authentic traffic, road, Some vintage signs can be worth a lot of
and neighborhood markers. Collectors acquire money, often as much as several thousand dol-
pieces through legal channels like military sur- lars, with extremely rare porcelain or neon piec-
plus, scrap yards, specialized online vendors, es selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
or local municipal auctions when old signs are Heavy porcelain enamel signs usually com-
decommissioned. Some scrap yards around the mand higher prices than simple tin, metal, or
country even, sell signs by the pound. And of wood signs because they last longer and hold
course there is always eBay, antique stores and richer colors. Iconic corporate brands, especial-
buying from other collectors one meets along ly gas, oil, automotive, soda, and tobacco com-
the way. panies (like Coca-Cola, Goodyear, or gasoline
Removing public or private traffic signs is il- brands)—are heavily sought after by collectors.
legal and creates severe safety hazards on public Condition is important. Signs with minimal
roads. Contact local public works departments rust, bright gloss, and no major chips or bullet
or county road commissions to ask how they dis- holes in the main graphic area are worth signifi-
card retired inventory. Signs come in embossed cantly more. Having street signs in your house is
metal and heavy-metal signs featuring raised legal only if you acquired them lawfully, such as
lettering from the mid-20th century. Some are buying a replica, purchasing retired municipal
plastic and even heavy-duty cardboard. Distinc- property, or getting one at a surplus sale. Own-