How to Trade Olympic Pins
The Olympics are about competition and friendship among nations. That philosophy extends to Olympic pin trading. Swapping Olympic pins is almost like a sport in itself. Fans acquire pins relating to the Olympics and trade them for other pins. You can buy pins cheaply--or sometimes get them for free--from a variety of sources, including corporations, teams, each country's Olympic committee, sponsors and media organizations. The Wall Street Journal has reported that experts say more than 10,000 different designs are issued at each Summer Olympics.
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Instructions
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How to Trade Olympic Pins
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Attend the Olympics, if it's feasible. You'll spot lots of people at the different venues and gathering spots wearing pins and displaying their collections. There are also areas to encourage trading. Since 1988, Coca-Cola has sponsored official Olympic pin trading centers. But plenty of informal trading also occurs.
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Join a pin trading club if attending the Games isn't possible. Try finding a local club that has regular events. Several clubs also have international memberships. For example, the Olympin Collectors Club, based in Lake Placid, N.Y., claims to be the largest with 600 worldwide members. The club publishes a quarterly newsletter and an annual membership directory with members' contact information and their collecting specialty.
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Attend a pin collector's show. Many clubs across the country sponsor shows or fairs each year.
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Contact the athletes themselves. While it may be hard to reach a superstar, there are many Olympians who remain out of the limelight after they take part in the Games. They might even be glad to hear from a fan. An Internet search can often help you find where they live and what they're doing. A polite phone call or email sometimes can elicit a response.
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Place a classified ad in a magazine or newsletter for the sport you're interested in. For example, readers of International Figure Skating might have a pin collection that they would be willing to trade.
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Tips & Warnings
Have a goal. Some people want pins from a particular country, or one from each country. Some collect pins from a particular sport, such as gymnastics. Knowing what you want will guide you to the right people.
Pins are available before the Olympics start from companies, so there's no need to wait until the last minute.
Pins are more valuable in good condition. Make sure they don't get scratched by keeping them in an individual case or bag. Or you can pin them to a foam material.
If pins are part of a limited-edition set, they could become more valuable than mass-produced pins.
If there are no clubs in your area, start one. You might be amazed at the response.
Wearing pins you don't want to trade is considered bad etiquette.
While pins look nice, the sharp end can be dangerous. Keep them away from children and pets.
People may try to trade counterfeit pins, which are worthless. If something looks suspicious, pass on the deal.
