Playboy membership Keys high and low numbers when possible almost complete collection.
Keys were used just like a credit card you would use in the clubs for purchases such as drinks, souvenirs, or shows and you would be billed though the mail at a later date.
Full Collection of Keys
City To Be Determined
Chicago February 29, 1960
Chicago February 29, 1960
New Orleans October 13, 1961
New Orleans October 13, 1961
St. Louis October 16, 1962
St. Louis October 16, 1962
New York December 8, 1962
New York December 8, 1962
Phoenix December 19, 1962
Phoenix December 19, 1962
Detroit December 28, 1963
Detroit December 28, 1963
Manila January 1964
Manila January 1964
Baltimore 1964
Baltimore 1964
Kansas City June 13, 1964
Los Angeles December 31, 1964
Los Angeles December 31, 1964
Jamaica January 4, 1965
Jamaica January 4, 1965
Boston February 26, 1965
Boston February 26, 1965
San Francisco November 13, 1965
San Francisco November 13, 1965
London July 1, 1966
London July 1, 1966
Lake Geneva May 6, 1968
Lake Geneva May 6, 1968
Cincinnati 1964
Cincinnati 1964
F
F
Las Vegas October 6, 2006
Las Vegas October 6, 2006
Comic Con Promo
Comic Con Promo 2
57 thoughts on “Keys”
I don’t see any mention of the playboy preferred coupon book, I have one from Boston valid from 1979-80
I don’t see those books very often and do not have one in my collection so my information on the books is limited. I would love to see a few photos.
Paul
I have a NY key with 4 digits running horizontally across the bow (behind the rabbit head). What is the difference between this key and others from NY that instead have 5 digits running up the side of the shaft? I’d love to know. Thanks!
Other than the obvious the lower the number the earlier the member not much else. I think maybe the early ones were stamped at the club and given to the new member in the same week as the lower numbered keys are actually thinner and easier to stamp numbers in than keys with the stamp on the blade of the key.
Hi, I don’t know if you ever got an answer to this but those numbers were given out numerically so since yours is only 4 digits, your membership key would have been received prior to any of those in the 5 digits. I have a NY 8854 key which is considered a ‘low number’ in the grand scheme of things because the highest I have seen a NY key go is 76,359 and that is just what I have seen so it could be much higher than that but I have no way of verifying without Playboy’s backend information on club memberships to know what the maximums were for each location of Playboy Club before they had switched over to membership cards in 1966.
My dad had a key to the New York club – is there a way to look it up? He has been gone a long time just curious as to the number. Would he have had to turn it in?
There is no way to look up what number he had unless you can find an old bill or some type of statement the number is usually on that also he would not have had to turn it in.
Of course but all depends on condition and any paperwork you may have associated with it Ex: original packaging old paper bill/invoice but keys alone usually sell between 25-40 USD.
Even if you have the number the chance of finding the exact one is slim to none. send me the number if you have it and I will see if I ever had I have a list of all keys I once owned and restored. Thanks Paul
I’ve just found a playboy key in my deceased parent’s things with LA 35618 on the back. I know the club was in Los Angeles, but I’m curious if this key belonged to my father or someone else. Is there way to find out the members name?
Unfortunately there is no know database available It probably was his, but best way to verify would be an old bill or receipt if he was a business man maybe old tax records may include an old Membership bill as it would have been a tax write off.
Please send some pictures to paulsorensen@playboymuseum.com
It sounds like someone found a blank and had some fun with an engraver as the New York club did not open till 1962.
I am unsure but many keys I have purchased in Ohio have the letter M designation many have thought M was Montreal or Miami but I am currently leaning to Cincinnati or Ohio in General.
I have a key with the serial number “NO 52985” Any chance of what club this was from? The person I bought it from said he got it as a 21st birthday present in 1964 and it was to the Chicago club. Can you verify this info? Thanks!
I recently came across a playboy key with LA 18185 engraved on back. Any history on this key appreciated. I’ve done some research and the entire key idea was pretty interesting.
Hello, going through a box of my dad’s things, no surprise to find a playboy key. It is engraved DE 20175, I’m wondering, is it Detroit? Or could it be Denver? Not sure if there even was a club in Denver, but we lived in a Detroit suberb but he went to the Denver area often. Thank you for any information. This will likely be my inheritance. ?
They are readily available on sites like e-bay depending on what key you are interested in feel free to send me an e-mail on what you are looking for.
Thanks Paul paulsorensen@playboymuseum.com
This information is very helpful thank you.
I found a key that states W 409 on the back. I originally thought it was for Los Angeles or Playboy West. Do you think it is from another state or Los Angeles?
Thank you.
I don’t see any mention of the playboy preferred coupon book, I have one from Boston valid from 1979-80
I don’t see those books very often and do not have one in my collection so my information on the books is limited. I would love to see a few photos.
Paul
I have a NY key with 4 digits running horizontally across the bow (behind the rabbit head). What is the difference between this key and others from NY that instead have 5 digits running up the side of the shaft? I’d love to know. Thanks!
Other than the obvious the lower the number the earlier the member not much else. I think maybe the early ones were stamped at the club and given to the new member in the same week as the lower numbered keys are actually thinner and easier to stamp numbers in than keys with the stamp on the blade of the key.
Hi, I don’t know if you ever got an answer to this but those numbers were given out numerically so since yours is only 4 digits, your membership key would have been received prior to any of those in the 5 digits. I have a NY 8854 key which is considered a ‘low number’ in the grand scheme of things because the highest I have seen a NY key go is 76,359 and that is just what I have seen so it could be much higher than that but I have no way of verifying without Playboy’s backend information on club memberships to know what the maximums were for each location of Playboy Club before they had switched over to membership cards in 1966.
My dad had a key to the New York club – is there a way to look it up? He has been gone a long time just curious as to the number. Would he have had to turn it in?
There is no way to look up what number he had unless you can find an old bill or some type of statement the number is usually on that also he would not have had to turn it in.
I CAME ACROSS A PLAYBOY KEY (SF8574), IS THERE ANY VALUE IN IT?
Of course but all depends on condition and any paperwork you may have associated with it Ex: original packaging old paper bill/invoice but keys alone usually sell between 25-40 USD.
25-40 was a reasonable expectation prior to Hugh Heffner’s death. Now the market has grown to an average of about $150 per key in good shape.
My dad had one from Lake Geneva Club. Anyway of locating it?
Even if you have the number the chance of finding the exact one is slim to none. send me the number if you have it and I will see if I ever had I have a list of all keys I once owned and restored. Thanks Paul
I’ve just found a playboy key in my deceased parent’s things with LA 35618 on the back. I know the club was in Los Angeles, but I’m curious if this key belonged to my father or someone else. Is there way to find out the members name?
Unfortunately there is no know database available It probably was his, but best way to verify would be an old bill or receipt if he was a business man maybe old tax records may include an old Membership bill as it would have been a tax write off.
would it be possible to purchase the necklace?
thanks!
I currently do not have any for sale but check E-bay they are readily available.
Playboy Preferred Chicago miniature books— are these rare? Or value on these?
They do have some value and are collected usually sell between 10-20 US Dollars.
I have a key which is engraved on the back – not stamped. It says:
NY – 71232
It also is engraved “1960” above that.
Can you shed any light on that? Thanks!
Please send some pictures to paulsorensen@playboymuseum.com
It sounds like someone found a blank and had some fun with an engraver as the New York club did not open till 1962.
What was the letter “code” for Cincinnati? C on a key would probably be for Chicago but I live in Cincinnati and wondered what their keys were.
I am unsure but many keys I have purchased in Ohio have the letter M designation many have thought M was Montreal or Miami but I am currently leaning to Cincinnati or Ohio in General.
I have a key that the number starts with E. any idea which club that would be???
As far as I know it would be London but not 100 percent.
I FOUND A KEY THAT HAS “PLAYBOY” AND THE LOGO ON BACK…WORTH ANYTHING?
Yes it has value but I no longer give appraisals.
Thanks Paul
Have a key in mint condition with a W and the number (low number) on back. Still in original box. What does the W stand for?
The W stands for Wisconsin as in Lake Geneva Club.
Thanks Paul
I have a key with the serial number “NO 52985” Any chance of what club this was from? The person I bought it from said he got it as a 21st birthday present in 1964 and it was to the Chicago club. Can you verify this info? Thanks!
NO was the designation for the New Orleans Club.
Thanks Paul
I recently came across a playboy key with LA 18185 engraved on back. Any history on this key appreciated. I’ve done some research and the entire key idea was pretty interesting.
Sorry only information I could give is its From Los Angeles Club.
Thanks Paul
Hello, going through a box of my dad’s things, no surprise to find a playboy key. It is engraved DE 20175, I’m wondering, is it Detroit? Or could it be Denver? Not sure if there even was a club in Denver, but we lived in a Detroit suberb but he went to the Denver area often. Thank you for any information. This will likely be my inheritance. ?
To the best of my knowledge DE keys were Detroit as it opened well before Denver.
I got a key with BL 7847 if anyone is looking for one
I have a key that says SF 25985- Is it San Francisco? does it have any value?
Thanks
Yes it is San Francisco and does have value.
Is there a way to buy one of the keys ?
They are readily available on sites like e-bay depending on what key you are interested in feel free to send me an e-mail on what you are looking for.
Thanks Paul
paulsorensen@playboymuseum.com
Would SL on a key refer to Saint Louis?
Yes it does.
Hello. Could you tell me what city BL would stand for on the key. Thanks
Baltimore
I have a key stamped PA1243. Any idea about when this was issued?
Phoenix
I have on marked BN876, I assume this is Boston?
Yes Boston.
I was a club GM and have a Presidential Key with the letters “VIP” after the charge number. Will this add to its value?
Yes it will, especially if you have an old business card to go with it proving your club GM status.
Am I correct in assuming that a Playboy Key starting with C is for Chicago?
Yes you are correct.
Hi! I have my dads key F 20374. I think he got it in Atlanta, but I’m not sure. What’s the designation for F? Thanks!
As far as I know F was for Florida and E was Atlanta
This information is very helpful thank you.
I found a key that states W 409 on the back. I originally thought it was for Los Angeles or Playboy West. Do you think it is from another state or Los Angeles?
Thank you.
It’s definitely from Lake Geneva Wisconsin club hotel and resort.
Found C 22324 , and learning today!
Glad to hear that I also am learning more about Playboy all the time and enjoy sharing the information I an able to find.
Enjoy, Paul