(UPDATED June 19, 2016) Editor’s Note: The 100th Anniversary edition of the Vibroplex Original was designed to commemorate the company’s 2004 anniversary. My notes say only 250 were planned, but obviously there were closer to 1,000 given the serial numbers I have seen. One interesting note about these keys is that early in their production, Vibroplex apparently had an issue with the vendor that stamped the brass nameplates. A post on AMFone’s discussion boards notes that one of the ops ordered a key when they were announced, and that delivery was delayed due to nameplate vendor issues. My guess is that this issue is at least part of the reason that Vibroplex’s current owner changed the nameplate to a silk-screened aluminum design after the company moved to Knoxville, Tenn.
STILL LOOKING FOR … I’m always interested in seeing other 100th Anniversary keys, but particularly interested in buying a Knoxville-manufactured 100th Anniversary key. An “upgraded” version with jeweled movements would be a plus too. I had the opportunity to order one new, but failed to do so before they were discontinued. Sigh.
100A-191 – Vibroplex 100th Anniversary Original. Standard pivots. Arrived with slightly bent keying lever. It straighted easily with a little carefu persuasion. Seller didn’t pack it well. I considered returning it, but opted to keep it. The key came with a weight rod extension that works very well at slowing the action without killing it or adding extra weight. Purchased May 2017 from AB0AH via eBay.
100A-236 – Vibroplex 100th Anniversary Original (dupe serial no.). Purchased in May 2012. If memory serves, this was the first 100th Anniversary key I purchased. The seller noted that while it was listed on eBay, another 100th Anniversary key owner contacted him and told him he owned a key with the exact same serial number. I had the chap’s email address some years ago, but lost track of it. In fact, I lost track of this key as well for about four months until I wondered what the heck was in an unopened USPS Priority Mail box.
100A-398 – Vibroplex 100th Anniversary Original (“second, sold as-is”). This key was purchased on eBay in February 2016. It was manufactured in Mobile, Ala., and was marked as a “second,” meaning there was some sort of flaw that kept it from being sold as new. There were some very minute scratches on the base finish were the only flaws I could find. Again, the painted bases were very fragile, and Vibroplex had seconds listed for some time. The key was well-packed and shipped in the original Vibroplex box.
100A-365 – Vibroplex 100th Anniversary Original. I purchased this key on eBay in December 2015. Much to my chagrin, it arrived damaged — 
the key was packed with two 1 oz weights (one of the keying lever, a second on the attached bug tamer), and in transit, the weight banged around and the main spring actually broke. The parts banging around scratched the nameplate, but scratched the rear edge of the base. Using black enamel and a toothpick, I filled in the chips to the point they are only noticeable if you look very closely. The seller agreed to pay for a new keying lever. The key is my main key at the operating position for 2016 and will remain so. I packed away 100A-406 which had been “at the ready” should I want to use it at the operating position.
100A-603 – 2009 Vibroplex 100th Anniversary Original. I purchased this key brand new from Vibroplex immediately before Scott Robbins moved the company from Mobile, Ala., to Tennessee between Christmas 2009 and the first week of January 2010. I have never opened the box on this key. At the time, I realized this was a huge changing of the guard, and I bought the key as a memento of the change of ownership. I need to open the shipping box sometime to get the serial number from it. At the time of my order — just as Scott Robbins was taking over — the key was sale priced by owner Fenton Mitchell; AT $157.50 you could actually buy a 100th Anniversary key cheaper than a black base standard original!
100A-664 – 2009 Vibroplex 100th Anniversary Original. This key was purchased
on eBay March 29, 2012. It was listed with a Buy It Now price of something like $225. I submitted the minimum bid on the key, which ended the Buy It Now option. It was pretty low considering the new price of the key, so I was ready to enter a higher bid during the closing seconds of the auction. In fact, I did submit an additional, last-second bid because I believed someone else was waiting in the wings to snag the key. I was pleasantly surprised when no one was waiting to snipe it from me! The key arrived by USPS Priority Mail today, Aug. 4, 2012. It was double boxed — the buyer said when he bought the key he put it on display in a case and never used it. When he sold it, he simply packed it back in the original box. He double boxed the original box and shipped it to me.
100A-406 – 2007 Vibroplex 100th Anniversary Original. This key was an eBay 
purchase that arrived on May 3, 2011. It’s mint, mint, mint! A few nearly invisible scuffs, probably there when the key was sold. Right now the key is on the operating position desk; I’m fighting the urge to put it on display and not use it! Arrived with the original instructions and parts diagram. The key plays very well. So far I’ve kept the key on the desktop, but after three weeks, the urge to cover to protect it is very strong. Other owners note the finish on the base is very fragile and easily damaged; its a powder coat rather than a thicker and more durable crinkle finish.
100A-699 – 2010 Vibroplex 100th Anniversary Original. The seller had three 
100th Anniversary keys listed for sale; this one was listed by itself, the other two were grouped together (SN 100A-743 and 753). This key was purchased on eBay in July 2011 for a lower-than-new price. Interesting note that the key was shipped from the new Knoxville address, unlike my first 100th Anniversary, which was shipped from Alabama right as they company was moving. The key is new and unused, and was only unboxed for the eBay listing photo (see photo at right). The key came with some extras, including a Vari-Speed, which is my first one, as well as a cord and a contact cleaner strip. The extras alone made it a great deal. I think this makes the fourth one I own, and I am unlike to pick up another unless the price is obscenely low or I buy one direct from the factory with the jeweled pivots.