For collectors around the world, custom lapel pins represent more than just small, decorative accessories—they are tangible pieces of history, culture, and identity. With their origins rooted in everything from military insignia to sports team logos, these tiny yet powerful symbols have evolved into highly sought-after collectibles. What makes custom lapel pins especially appealing to collectors is their variety, scarcity, and the stories they tell about the people, events, and organizations they represent.
From championship wins and cultural revolutions to corporate milestones and iconic events, custom lapel pins hold deep significance. They commemorate moments in time, becoming prized items for collectors, fans, and history enthusiasts. Over the years, the design, meaning, and value of these pins have changed, reflecting not only trends in fashion and design but also the cultural, social, and political importance of the events they represent.
In this article, we’ll take a journey through some of the rarest and most valuable custom lapel pins ever created. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the world of lapel pins, these top 10 pins will inspire you and give you a deeper understanding of the value, history, and unique appeal of these timeless collectibles. Each of these pins holds a rich backstory, making them significant not only for their rarity but also for their connection to historical milestones.
1. 1936 Berlin Olympics Pin
The 1936 Berlin Olympics, held in Nazi Germany, is one of the most infamous and historically significant Olympic Games ever hosted. This was a highly controversial event due to its location, and the political climate under Adolf Hitler’s regime cast a shadow over what was intended to be a celebration of international sportsmanship. The custom lapel pins created for this event are now rare due to their historical context, as they represent both the Olympic spirit and the politically charged atmosphere of the time.
These pins were distributed to athletes, officials, and dignitaries, making them extremely limited in number. The lapel pins, typically featuring the Olympic rings and the German eagle emblem, have since become highly coveted among collectors, not only for their connection to the Olympics but also for their historical significance tied to one of the most critical periods in 20th-century history.
The fact that these pins survived the destruction of World War II adds to their value. They serve as artifacts of a complex era in history—one where sports and politics collided in a dramatic fashion. Authentic pins from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, depending on their condition, can range anywhere from $500 to over $1,000, with some particularly rare or well-preserved examples selling for even more. Collectors and history buffs alike seek out these pins for their unique place at the intersection of sports and global politics.
2. 1969 Woodstock Festival Pin
The 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair is regarded as one of the most iconic and revolutionary music festivals in history. It was a defining moment for the counterculture movement, drawing over 400,000 attendees for a weekend of peace, love, and music. Today, custom lapel pins created for Woodstock are seen as rare, valuable relics from this era, deeply connected to the spirit of the 1960s.
The pins designed for this event were distributed to staff, performers, and select attendees, making them highly limited in number. Their designs often featured bright colors, simple logos, and iconic imagery, such as the famous dove perched on a guitar, symbolizing the festival’s ethos of harmony and creative freedom. These pins are highly collectible today, representing a time when music, culture, and activism merged into one influential movement.
Finding an original Woodstock pin in good condition is rare due to the nature of the event—many pins were lost or damaged during the festival, making surviving examples even more valuable. Collectors often pay between $1,500 and $2,500 for authentic Woodstock festival pins, with some rare variants going for even more. The enduring appeal of the event, coupled with the scarcity of its memorabilia, ensures that Woodstock pins remain some of the most coveted custom lapel pins in music history.
3. NASA Apollo 11 Mission Pin
The NASA Apollo 11 mission, which culminated in Neil Armstrong’s famous “giant leap for mankind” as the first human to walk on the moon, is one of the most monumental achievements in human history. Lapel pins commemorating the Apollo 11 mission have become rare and highly prized items among collectors, especially those passionate about space exploration and NASA history.
These custom lapel pins were issued to NASA personnel, astronauts, and select members of the press who were closely involved with the mission. Many of these pins feature the iconic Apollo 11 logo, which depicts an eagle landing on the moon, carrying an olive branch in its beak—a symbol of peace. The lapel pins serve as both commemorative items and pieces of space history, connecting their owners to the team that made one of humanity’s greatest achievements possible.
What makes these pins particularly valuable is not just their rarity, but the sheer historical weight they carry. They are direct mementos from the mission that took humans to the moon for the first time. Collectors can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for original Apollo 11 pins, depending on their condition, provenance, and any accompanying memorabilia. The story behind these pins and their connection to one of the most significant scientific achievements of the 20th century ensures their place as highly desirable collector’s items.
4. Coca-Cola Bottling Plant Employee Pin (Early 1900s)
Coca-Cola is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, and its early marketing strategies included the use of custom lapel pins for employees working in bottling plants. In the early 1900s, when Coca-Cola was expanding its operations globally, these pins were given to employees as a symbol of their affiliation with the Coca-Cola brand. Due to the company’s long history and the global appeal of its brand, these early employee pins have become rare collectibles that hold both nostalgic and historical value.
Most of these pins featured the classic Coca-Cola script logo, which is still in use today. Some pins also included phrases such as “Bottling Plant Employee” or references to specific locations. These lapel pins are valuable not just because of their age, but because of their connection to one of the world’s largest and most enduring consumer brands. For collectors of Coca-Cola memorabilia, these pins are particularly significant, offering insight into the company’s early days.
Vintage Coca-Cola employee pins from the early 1900s are highly sought after in the collectibles market. Depending on the condition and rarity of the pin, prices can range from $2,000 to $10,000. Particularly rare examples from defunct or historically significant bottling plants can fetch even higher prices at auctions. For collectors of brand history and vintage advertising memorabilia, these pins represent an important part of Coca-Cola’s rise to global dominance.
5. Disney Club 33 Pin
Disney is known for creating exclusive and highly coveted merchandise, and nothing exemplifies this more than the pins created for Club 33, an exclusive, members-only club located inside Disneyland. Club 33 is often referred to as the “VIP club” for Disney’s most dedicated and influential fans. Membership to this elite club is limited, with a lengthy waiting list, making the custom lapel pins produced for its members rare and highly valuable.
Disney’s Club 33 pins often feature the club’s iconic logo, which incorporates elegant typography and intricate detailing, designed to reflect the exclusivity and luxury of the club. Over the years, different designs have been introduced, with some featuring unique elements like gold plating, gemstones, or limited-edition releases to commemorate special events or anniversaries within the club.
The exclusivity of Club 33, combined with the rarity of its merchandise, has made these pins extremely valuable to Disney collectors. Some authentic Club 33 pins sell for $1,500 to $5,000, depending on their age, condition, and design intricacies. Special-edition pins that mark key anniversaries or events in the club’s history are particularly sought after, fetching even higher prices. For Disney aficionados, these pins are not just collectibles—they are a rare piece of the magic that only a few have the privilege to experience.
6. Super Bowl I (1967) Official Pin
The first Super Bowl, held in 1967, marked the beginning of what would become one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Today, the Super Bowl is a global phenomenon, but for collectors, the original lapel pins produced for Super Bowl I hold special value. These custom lapel pins are rare, highly collectible items, particularly for football fans and collectors of NFL memorabilia.
Super Bowl I pitted the Kansas City Chiefs against the Green Bay Packers in a game that would go down in history. Official pins created for this inaugural event were distributed to players, coaches, officials, and select VIP attendees, making them extremely limited in number. These pins often feature the Super Bowl logo or the helmets of the two competing teams, commemorating the first of what would become an iconic annual event in American sports.
The value of these Super Bowl I pins comes from their connection to a major turning point in sports history—the birth of the Super Bowl. Collectors are willing to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 for these pins, depending on their condition and any accompanying memorabilia. For football enthusiasts, these pins are a must-have, symbolizing the beginning of a sports tradition that continues to grow in popularity every year.
7. Harley-Davidson Dealer Pin (Pre-1950s)
Harley-Davidson is synonymous with the spirit of freedom, rebellion, and American craftsmanship, and the company’s dealer network has played a vital role in building the brand’s global reputation. In the early 20th century, Harley-Davidson distributed custom lapel pins to its dealers as tokens of appreciation and to strengthen brand loyalty. These dealer pins, particularly those issued before the 1950s, have become highly collectible, both for their rarity and for their association with the iconic motorcycle company.
Dealer pins often feature the Harley-Davidson logo, but what makes these pins particularly valuable is their connection to specific dealerships, many of which no longer exist. Some of the pins also bear the name of the city or state where the dealership was located, adding a level of historical significance for collectors who are interested in tracing the company’s early expansion.
Vintage Harley-Davidson dealer pins from the pre-1950s era can fetch between $1,000 and $5,000, with some pins that are well-preserved or tied to historically significant dealerships commanding even higher prices. For collectors of motorcycle memorabilia and Harley-Davidson enthusiasts, these pins represent an important piece of the company’s storied history.
8. 1992 Barcelona Olympics Dream Team Pin
The 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics is remembered for many iconic moments, but none more so than the dominance of the USA men’s basketball “Dream Team.” This legendary team, featuring superstars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, captured the world’s attention with their incredible talent and unbeatable performance. Custom lapel pins created to celebrate the Dream Team have since become rare and valuable pieces of sports memorabilia, particularly for basketball fans and collectors of Olympic memorabilia.
These pins were distributed to athletes, coaches, and select Olympic officials, and they typically feature imagery related to the Dream Team, such as basketballs, the American flag, and Olympic symbols. The design of the pins reflects the team’s historic victory and the impact they had on international basketball. For basketball enthusiasts, owning one of these pins is like owning a piece of sports history.
Authentic Dream Team pins from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics can sell for $500 to $3,000, with higher prices for pins in excellent condition or pins that have accompanying documentation of their provenance. The Dream Team’s influence on basketball and their lasting legacy in sports make these pins highly collectible and sought after.
9. New York Yankees 1927 World Series Pin
The 1927 New York Yankees are widely considered one of the greatest baseball teams in the history of Major League Baseball. This legendary team, known as “Murderers’ Row,” featured iconic players like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Lapel pins created to commemorate the Yankees’ World Series victory in 1927 are some of the most valuable custom lapel pins in the sports memorabilia market, coveted by both baseball fans and collectors of historic sports artifacts.
These pins were issued to players, team staff, and select fans, making them extremely rare. They typically feature the Yankees logo, along with references to the 1927 World Series victory, and are considered to be among the most significant pieces of baseball memorabilia from the pre-war era. The combination of the team’s legendary status and the age of the pins has made them highly desirable in the world of collecting.
Original 1927 Yankees World Series pins can fetch prices upward of $10,000, especially if they are in excellent condition or come with additional memorabilia, such as game tickets or autographs from the team’s players. For collectors of baseball memorabilia, owning one of these pins is like owning a piece of the sport’s greatest legacy.
10. McDonald’s Employee 50-Year Pin
McDonald’s, as one of the largest and most recognizable fast-food chains in the world, has a rich history of rewarding its employees for long-term service. The 50-Year Employee Pin, given to those who have worked with McDonald’s for half a century, is one of the rarest McDonald’s pins in existence. Due to the exceptionally small number of employees who have reached this milestone, the custom lapel pins created for this achievement are considered highly valuable.
These pins typically feature the famous golden arches, along with personalized details such as the employee’s name and the number of years they have worked for the company. The rarity of employees achieving 50 years of service makes these pins nearly impossible to find, and for collectors of corporate memorabilia or McDonald’s enthusiasts, these pins represent a significant part of the company’s history.
Prices for McDonald’s 50-Year Employee Pins can range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on their condition and the specific details of the pin. For those who collect corporate or fast-food memorabilia, these pins are rare treasures that symbolize loyalty, hard work, and a long-standing connection to one of the world’s biggest brands.
The Enduring Value of Custom Lapel Pins
Custom lapel pins hold an undeniable place in the world of collectibles. They are small yet significant symbols of cultural, historical, and personal milestones, offering collectors a tangible connection to their favorite events, brands, and moments in time. From rare Olympic pins and sports memorabilia to pins representing major cultural movements or corporate achievements, each pin tells a unique story, and their rarity only adds to their allure.
For collectors, owning a rare lapel pin isn’t just about having an item of monetary value—it’s about holding a piece of history in the palm of your hand. As more collectors continue to recognize the value and significance of these pins, the market for custom lapel pins is likely to grow, making it an exciting time to explore this niche yet thriving world of collecting.
Each pin in this list represents more than just a physical object—it is a symbol of a time, a place, and an achievement that has resonated throughout history. From sporting triumphs to cultural revolutions, custom lapel pins are emblems of identity, nostalgia, and personal connection. As collectibles, they provide not only aesthetic appeal but also emotional significance, making them treasured possessions for those lucky enough to own them.
Whether you’re an avid collector or someone just starting to explore the world of custom lapel pins, the pins on this list represent some of the most valuable and historically significant items out there. These pieces serve as a reminder that sometimes, the smallest items can hold the greatest value. If you are interested in some custom lapel pins, feel free to contact us at 1-855-471-6752 or fill out one of our FREE QUOTE FORMS.
