When I started in the hobby in the early 2000's, very few people were buying NIB pins. The hobby was more about restoration. Since then, a surprising number of "new" collectors (less than a few years) are jumping in with NIB purchases. Is it a sign of a stronger U.S. economy, or people just tired of earning 1/2% on their savings? Or did BBB turn us all into speculators?

To answer the OP's question: I paid 4600 shipped for my MET Pro. So a 30% increase means $6000, and there's no way I'd pay that right now. OTOH, if I knew my losses were capped to around $1000 over 4 years, I might consider it for a "dream title" that was well-executed.

There's a theory that following the stock market bubble (2000) and the real estate bubble (2008), the "fiat currency" bubble will be the last one to pop. Then comes the Great Unwinding. Will our kids look back in 50 years and laugh at us for trading our labor for pieces of paper, or numbers on a screen?

BTW, Americans should be concerned that pins are becoming too expensive for our international friends (due to USD strength). Less sales means fewer pins, especially from smaller manufacturers.