Levi's · 557XX · late 1961–1971
Jack Lucier designed the Type III on a notepad, and Lot 557 first appeared in Levi's October–December 1961 catalog, made from pre-shrunk denim. He dropped the pleats and the copper rivets that Levi's jackets had carried for decades and drew two V seams down the front, which is why it looks slimmer than the Type I and II. His father, Chris Lucier, had come up with the red tab. In 1967 Levi's renumbered the jacket 70505 to match the new 505 jeans, and Japanese collectors call that version the 4th. This page covers both while the tab still said LEVI'S with a capital E, up to 1971. Early 557s have lemon-yellow bar tacks under the pointed pocket flaps and a bigger patch. Hunt a 557XX if you collect, and a Big E 70505 if you want to wear one.
Date it from the photos
Reissues and repros
LVC has reissued the 1961 Type III, and Levi's Japan made a Big E 71557 reissue in the 1990s with a MADE IN JAPAN tag and J-prefixed button stamps. US reissues made at the Valencia Street plant carry a 555 stamp, and any care label rules out an original Big E. Full Count, Warehouse, Sugar Cane, Momotaro, Iron Heart, TCB and The Flat Head all make their own versions.
If you’ll wear it
A Big E 70505 from the late 1960s is the easier Big E to find and still has the clean two-pocket front.
If you’ll collect it
A 557XX with a readable patch and lemon-yellow bar tacks is the early one collectors want.
The Type III is a tapered cut, slimmer through the body than the Type I and II, and it's tagged by chest size. Ask for pit to pit, back length and sleeve length and compare them with a jacket that fits you. Levi's made it from pre-shrunk denim, so a washed one should be close to how it was sold.
New to measuring old denim? Our measuring guide shows where to put the tape.
Measurements first, then the details
Collars and cuffs fray, buttonholes stretch and the upper back can wear thin under the collar. New buttons or recut cuffs don't stop a Big E from being a good jacket to wear, but a collector will want them disclosed.
Buying guide
For a Big E Type III to wear, we'd take the late-60s 70505-0217 a seller titles size 42/44 and excellent used at $485 delivered, or the 60s jacket with a measured 19.5 inch pit to pit at $376. There are at least 148 for sale, nearly all from US sellers, and most ask $270–525 delivered. eBay's cards don't show seller feedback here, so check it on the item page. Read the tab and patch before you pay Big E money. LEVI'S with a capital E dates it to 1971 or earlier, 557XX on the patch means 1961–1967 and 70505 means 1967 on, and side hand pockets mean about 1984 or later. Any care label on a Big E means a reissue, so ask hard about the 1971 jacket titled with a care tag, and skip the $1,007 one, which asks almost three times the median.
$140.59est. delivered
The lowest ask on a Big E Type III at $141 delivered, titled 70s, Made in USA, size XS. A Big E fits up to 1971, so check the tab and patch, and ask for pit to pit since XS is only the tag.
Levi's Men's Big E Trucker Denim Jacket 70's Vintage, Made in USA, Size XS
$375.97est. delivered
Titled 60s with a measured 19.5 inch pit to pit, about a 39 chest, at $376 delivered with $45 shipping from the UK. Ask for the neck patch to see whether it reads 557 or 70505.
Vintage 60s Levi’s Denim Jacket, Big E, Indigo Wash, 522, 19.5 inch P2P
$484.98est. delivered
Titled late 60s or 70s with the 70505-0217 lot, size 42/44 and excellent used, at $485 delivered. The 70505 is the easier Big E to find and wear, and the lot number gives you something to match on the patch.
Vintage Late 60s/70s Levi's Big E Denim Jacket 70505-0217 Type 3 Size 42/44 EUC
$214.99est. delivered
Titled damaged, tagged size 40, at $215 delivered, well under the band. Ask the seller what the damage is and price the repair in before you offer.
Damaged VTG Big E Levi's Jean Jacket Blue Denim Size 40 BS726
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$140.59est. delivered
$133.50 + $7.09 shipping
Buy It Now$133.50
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 70s Big E, Made in USA, XS. Cheapest here.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$375.97est. delivered
$330.78 + $45.19 shipping
Buy It Now$330.78
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
Measured 19.5 inch pit to pit. $45 shipping from the UK.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$484.98est. delivered
$474.99 + $9.99 shipping
Buy It Now$474.99
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 70505-0217, size 42/44, excellent used.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
For parts$214.99est. delivered
$199.99 + $15.00 shipping
Buy It Now$199.99
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.
Project piece
Titled damaged, size 40. Ask what's wrong.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$339.99est. delivered
$325.00 + $14.99 shipping
Buy It Now$325.00
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 1960s, dark wash, blanket lined.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$727.64est. delivered
$699.99 + $27.65 shipping
Buy It Now$699.99
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 double-sided Big E tab, lined. Ask what the Kawasaki in the title refers to.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$375.00delivered
$375.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$375.00
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.
Check the seller
Titled 1971 with a care tag. A care label on a Big E means a reissue.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$1,007.13est. delivered
$999.99 + $7.14 shipping
Buy It Now$999.99
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.
Priced high
Measured 22 inch pit to pit. Almost three times the median ask.
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.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchLevi's · Jackets and coats
705051971 on (US-made until 2003)
$65–$120 typical ask
Levi's · Jackets and coats
507XX1953 to about 1962
$3,150–$7,500 typical ask
Levi's · Straight leg
5051967–present
$35–$65 typical ask
Levi's · Straight leg
501Big E tab 1936–1971; this page covers the bar-tacked pairs of about 1966–1971
$460–$925 typical ask