PARIS. Far from the high-stakes trading of Wall Street, a unique market has emerged at the Paris Olympics, where the currency is not stocks or bonds, but collectible pins. The city is buzzing with collectors from around the globe eager to start or expand their Olympic pin collections.
Craig Robbins, a passionate pin collector from Los Angeles, sums up the phenomenon: “People are wired to trade. Human beings, we want to trade. In life, if you cannot exchange, you die.”
The excitement is palpable as Olympic volunteers, athletes, media workers, and tourists alike ask, “Do you have any pins?” This question has become a common thread, echoing from coffee shops to quiet Parisian streets. “You can really feel the craze this year,” says French collector Laurent Facy, noting how the hunt for pins has become an integral and exciting part of the Games.
Pin trading has deep roots, dating back to the first modern Olympics revived by Pierre de Coubertin in 1896. Originally simple cardboard badges for identification, these have evolved into intricate, artistic pins representing countries, news organizations, brands, and individuals. “They’re like little pieces of art,” enthuses Nicholas Wolaver, a dedicated American collector.
The Los Angeles 1984 Olympics marked a turning point, with pins becoming a major collectible item. “You had media pins, sponsor pins, athlete pins, mascot pins. They found a way to really monetize pins for the public, and people were going crazy,” Wolaver recalls.
Following two Olympics without spectators due to the pandemic, pin trading has made a strong comeback. “Paris has been very good for pin collecting because after the pandemic, where you could not trade pins so much in Tokyo and Beijing, people are very excited,” Wolaver explains.
Social media and Olympians themselves have fueled the trend. Former Olympian Serena Williams recently showcased her pin collection on Instagram, highlighting favorites like a North Korean pin. British tennis player Andy Murray has also joined the pin-trading frenzy, with former tennis player Laura Robson noting his dedication.
Among the most sought-after pins this year is one featuring rapper Snoop Dogg, who is depicted blowing smoke in the shape of the Olympic rings. “What’s really cool is that Snoop Dogg made the youngest interested in pins too,” Robbins adds.
Pin trading is accessible and inclusive, with enthusiasts easily engaging whether they’re at the Games or online. Traders often display their collections on clothing, creating vibrant mosaics that catch the eye of fellow collectors and passersby alike. “Pins break down the walls where people can start talking to each other,” Robbins says.
For many, the real value of pin trading lies in the connections it fosters. Paul Ians, a visitor and collector, notes, “You get to meet a lot of people. It’s not so much the other pin traders, it’s the regular people who are coming to the Olympics.” Each pin tells a story, and through trading, people share their personal, often Olympic, narratives.
French President Emmanuel Macron and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach are among Wolaver’s notable pin exchanges over his 40 years of trading. Ultimately, Olympic pins serve as more than mere collectibles; they are a bridge between people, creating memorable encounters and stories at the Paris Games.
