Levi's · 501 · Big E tab 1936–1971; this page covers the bar-tacked pairs of about 1966–1971
Big E is what collectors call any Levi's with LEVI'S spelled in capitals on the red tab. Levi's sewed the tab onto the 501 in 1936 and switched to a lowercase e in 1971, after its 1967 batwing logo set the name in upper and lower case. Big E is a whole era, so this page covers the pairs you'll mostly find, the bar-tacked 501s from about 1966 to 1971. By then the hidden back-pocket rivets were gone, the patch had dropped the XX, and from 1968 the washing instructions were printed on the pocket bag. The V stitch beside the top button hung on until about 1969. These are still redline selvedge, and they were made before care labels existed. If you want hidden rivets, that's the 501XX, which has its own page and costs much more. For a Big E you'll actually wear, hunt a late-60s pair with the capital E, a readable patch and no care label inside.
Date it from the photos
Reissues and repros
Levi's Vintage Clothing has reissued the 1966 501, and early LVC pairs carry three-digit factory numbers like 555 (Valencia Street) or 554 (San Antonio) on the button. Any Big E with a care label sewn inside is a reissue, a 2018-on premium pair or a fake, because originals predate care labels.
If you’ll wear it
A late-60s bar-tacked Big E is the most wearable way into the Big E era. Small repairs and a faded patch cost you nothing in daily wear.
If you’ll collect it
Collectors pay for a readable patch, the V stitch, a crisp tab and untouched hems. Original button hardware and the printed pocket bag help pin the year.
Big E 501s were sold shrink-to-fit, so the size on the patch is the size before the first wash, and most pairs have been washed for decades since. Ignore the tag and go by the waist measured flat and doubled, the front rise, the thigh and the inseam. Lots of old pairs were also hemmed by their owners, so check the inseam against the hem in the photos.
New to measuring old denim? Our measuring guide shows where to put the tape.
Measurements first, then the details
Expect crotch blowouts, knee holes and frayed hems on pairs this old, and plenty were hemmed by their first owner. Neat darning and a re-hem are fine on a pair you'll wear, but check that the tab hasn't been cut off or swapped onto a later pair.
Buying guide
For a Big E to wear, we'd take the 29x29 titled 1960s single stitch with a 6 stamp on the button, at $507 delivered. There are at least 33 for sale, almost all from US sellers, and most ask $460–925 delivered, with four more at $2,000–6,930. A one or two digit factory number on the back of the top button fits the era, while a three-digit number like 555 or a care label sewn inside means a reissue or a 2018-on premium pair. Check that first on the $128 31x30 at the bottom of the range, which asks a fraction of what the rest do. Patch sizes are pre-shrink, so go by the waist measured flat and doubled, the rise, thigh and inseam, and look at the hem in the photos for a re-hem. eBay's search cards don't show seller feedback for most of these, so check it on the item page.
$308.95est. delivered
The lowest ask on a pair that fits this page, titled 1960s Big E redline selvedge and made in USA. It's 26x27 on the tag and old pairs measure under it, so check the waist laid flat in the photos.
VINTAGE 1960's LEVI'S 501 RED TAB BIG E REDLINE SELVEDGE JEANS PANTS USA 26x27
$507.25est. delivered
Titled 1960s with a 6 stamp, the kind of one-digit factory number a Big E should carry, at the low end of the band. Check the back pocket corners for bar tacks and the 29x29 against a measured waist and inseam.
VTG Levi’s 501 Jean Big E 1960s Redline Selvedge Single Stitch 6 Stamp 29x29
$362.69est. delivered
A common 32x31 with the #6 factory code in the title, under the band and Buy It Now. It's titled 70s, and the capital E ended in 1971, so check the tab reads LEVI'S in capitals and there's no care label inside.
Vintage 70s Levi’s 501 Big E Single Stitch Redline Jeans 32W 31L #6 Factory Code
$714.46est. delivered
Titled with the V stitch beside the top button, which turns up on 501s until about 1969, so it's an earlier bar-tacked pair if the photos show it. A 28x29 on the tag, mid-band for that detail.
Vintage 60s Levi's 501 Big E Button Fly V Stitch Jeans 28x29 Selvedge USA
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$308.95est. delivered
$299.00 + $9.95 shipping
Buy It Now$299.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled 1960s redline, made in USA. Small at 26x27 on the tag.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$507.25est. delivered
$498.98 + $8.27 shipping
Buy It Now$498.98
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled 1960s single stitch with a 6 stamp, 29x29. Low in the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$362.69est. delivered
$349.99 + $12.70 shipping
Buy It Now$349.99
Good buy
Titled 70s single stitch with a #6 factory code. Common size, under the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$714.46est. delivered
$700.00 + $14.46 shipping
Buy It Now$700.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled V stitch, 28x29, made in USA. The V points to before about 1969.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$482.09est. delivered
$475.00 + $7.09 shipping
Buy It Now$475.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled post-1966 501xx with original repairs, waist 30. Check the pockets for bar tacks.
Seller: rainereatsvintage
100% positive
Used$763.50est. delivered
$750.00 + $13.50 shipping
Buy It Now$750.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled 1970's with a #6 button, 32x29. Upper band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$5,508.27est. delivered
$5,500.00 + $8.27 shipping
Auction · no bids yet
Priced high
Auction at $5,500 with no bids, titled one wash with a 16 button. Far above the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$6,930.00delivered
$6,930.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$6,930.00
Priced high
Titled S-Type, and the patch photo reads 501 XX. Check for hidden rivets. Far above the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 11, 2026.
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Levi's · Straight leg
501XXHidden back-pocket rivets about 1937–1966
$2,300–$5,150 typical ask
Levi's · Straight leg
5011971 to the mid-1980s
$300–$525 typical ask
Levi's · Jackets and coats
557XXlate 1961–1971
$270–$525 typical ask