Last week, the heart of Paris was buzzing with activity as passionate pin traders and collectors gathered to exchange Olympic pins. Pin trading, often referred to as the unofficial sport of the Olympics, drew in participants from around the world. A pin trading expert from the US advises newcomers to prepare their pins ahead of time by purchasing them online and bringing them to the event, as buying pins at the venue can be quite expensive. Many enthusiasts buy older pins in bulk from platforms like eBay and use them for trading.
One seasoned pin trader, Reed, has been trading Olympic pins since the 1996 Atlanta Games. He notes that pin trading is so popular that it attracts thousands of participants, possibly even outnumbering the athletes themselves. Despite the lack of formal advertising, events like this draw in large crowds. Reed shared that the only promotion for this event was a simple Facebook post inviting people to the pin trading fair, which quickly drew traders from around the globe.
This year’s event was no different, with the area packed with eager traders hoping to make a great exchange. The pins represent various countries, making the experience even more exciting for collectors, as they can acquire items from all over the world.
Pin trading has a rich history dating back to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 when athletes wore cardboard badges. Today, the range of pins has significantly expanded, with national organizing committees, sporting federations, media companies, and sponsors all offering collectible enameled pins. The popularity of pin trading has grown so much that it has become a highly engaging and addictive activity for many.
For anyone looking to join the pin trading community, the best advice is to buy pins in advance, ideally in bulk from sites like eBay, and bring them to the event. This strategy can help collectors save money and increase their chances of making successful trades.
