Lapel Pin

To diehard fans of the Olympic Games, pin trading is an unofficial sport and some even go as far as calling it the “Spectator’s Sport.” The Special Olympics followed the same lead as the Olympics and included pin trading booths as early as 1987 when Red Lobster sponsored the first pin trading tent. Pin trading had been a popular activity at previous Special Olympics Games, but this was the first time there was a centralized location for athletes and fans to meet and swap pins. The Red Lobster “Pin Central” featured over 10,000 lapel pins.

Coca-Cola soon took over sponsorship of the pin trading area for the Special Olympics World Games. As with the Olympics, Coca-Cola has been affiliated with the Special Olympics for many years. Some say Coca-Cola singlehandedly popularized lapel pin trading, and with the popularity of the Olympics and Special Olympics lapel pins, it’s hard not to agree a little.
Lapel Pins are probably one of the most popular collectors’ items at the Special Olympics Games. Not only are they a commemorative item, but pin trading has proved to be a fun hobby for the participants.

The custom lapel pin designs focus on a variety of themes such as emblems, mascots, sports and other related themes. Each custom lapel pin has a unique code on the back of the pin, including a number that indicates the total number of custom made lapel pins for that design. Special Olympics pins that are issued in less than 35,000 copies can be somewhat valuable, but lapel pins that are in quantities of 7,000 to 1,000 are worth the most.

Not only is lapel pin trading a fun pastime for a great cause, it also helps support the Special Olympics’ efforts to offer people with intellectual disabilities "the chance to play, the chance to compete and the chance to grow."

Contact us if you would like to make a difference with Recognition Lapel Pins.