Thanks guys. Boots, the gumtree pin is the one that made me ask. I would one day love a CV - but it is my grail pin & I want it in grail pin condition. For me this means either excellent original or professionally restored. This particular one is too rich (for me anyway) but I wondered what the realistic price is. If this sells near the asking price then I'm in for a lot of $ if I ever get one. For high-end pins I've come to the conclusion it's better to buy them already restored.

Pinsanity, thanks - I think you are correct.

Here's a benchmark for you, andy based on an actual sale of mine at $8k. If you allow approx 2k worth of chrome and aftermarket mods and work backwards that should give you a good indication of my buy price for a good condition stock standard machine.  

Fully restored and chromed (including a chromed coin door) with aftermarket mods. Thanks for retropin for the custom made tri-colour neon.  

Note the coin door - an Aussie delivered CV now residing in the land of the long white cloud.