Type 1 Cinch Back Jeans 1890s

Pre-1900 Levi Strauss jeans — the original waist overalls produced in the late 19th century — are among the rarest wearable artifacts in American history. These pieces predate the numbered lot system (the 501 designation came in 1890) and the rivet patent's expiry in 1891. The cinch back construction (a belt-like strap at the back waist), the suspender buttons, and the heavyweight selvedge denim construction were standard. Fewer than 50 complete pairs from this era are known to exist outside of museum collections. Authenticated examples have sold for $100,000–$500,000.