Maybe someone has an official answer for you, but I've noticed that all of the gents with the white star are from the early days of the site (2001/2002).
I don't know if the white star carries any benefits or if its just a status symbol.
I thought it was a symbol for people that had supported the site during it's inception and have become "lifemembers" without having to pay the subscription fee.
I have heard something about the original pawn star and I believe that the mwmillers answer should be correct. This player who carried this sign is also the member of RHP since 2002.
