There are many different styles, or types, of lapel pins. Along my path of collecting pins, I’ve researched and identified several mainstream and popular styles of pins that are manufactured. I’ve found that most lapel pins are actually struck, meaning they begin as a flat piece of metal which is then struck using a die at very high pressure, resulting in an impression being made into the once flat piece of metal. This impression is what ultimately becomes the lapel pin after extensive processing and refining.
There is another type of process which seems to be very popular, especially where there is relief detail, or 3d dimensional detail. This process is called Die Casting.
Die casting is different from die striking in that the pins are created from a cast rather than being struck. This is idea for 3-dimensional objects and details that are more difficult to strike due to the availability of thick metal blanks. With casting, the beginning blank metal thickness does not matter, as it is melted down prior to the casting process.
Casting involves molten metal, of which varying types or blends are used in the creation of die cast pins. This molten metal is then poured into a cavity, known as a mold, where it takes on the shape of the design.
The cast is left to harden, and the the mold is removed from the pin, revealing the final lapel pin. This process is more commercially available because molds can be made from a variety of materials such as wax, clay, plaster, or rubber, whereas die striking mostly requires a design to be molded into steel or another hard metal suitable for striking.
These cast pins are a great collectible item, as most of them resemble real 3-dimensional objects you see every day. They can be cast to emulate musical instruments, vehicles, and even products.
Right up there with Disney pins, and Olympic pins are Hard Rock Cafe Pins. These pins are extremely popular, and are available in great numbers. I see Hard Rock pins at just about any pin trading event I attend. Most of the Hard Rock pins I’ve seen and come to collect are simply awesome. The design and quality is superb and they’re always unique and completely cool.
From guitar designs, to pin up girls, and even collector sets, Hard Rock pins are a fantastic way to supplement your collection. You can even build a brand new collection out of just Hard Rock pins and never run out of new pins to acquire. There are new pins coming out all the time, and even antique pins that fetch quite a bit of money on the ‘used’ market.
If you’ve been looking for a new idea for pins to collect, you owe it to yourself to check these out! 
Commonly seen on trading pins, dangling pins are becoming very popular these days in sports pin trading and collectible pins. The idea is that you have one or more pins hanging from a larger pin (dangling) to create a more dramatic and unique look.
Most of dangling pins that I have only have 1, sometimes 2 pins hanging underneath the main pin. The pin shown here has several, and I’ve seen pins worn by Home Depot employees that have several dangling pins as well, apparently for years on the job or other goals achieved.
Cool stuff, huh? 
For years, Rotarians (Rotary Club Members) have received, and collected Rotary Club lapel pins. As the purpose of Rotary is to bring together businesses to engage in humanitarian services, lapel pins are a natural way to spread the word about any programs a particular club may have going on.
Since it’s inception in 1905, Rotary International has seen many different official, and unofficial lapel pins emerge, most of which become relics and collectibles amongst members, and even non-members.
Coke is the most recognized brand in the world. Along with that comes enthusiasm for Coke collectibles and memorabilia.
Biker lapel pins are extremely popular amongst collectors, and typically depict the persona of motorcycle riders from all over the world. From Maltese crosses with skulls, to motorcycle club logos, biker pins come in a wide range of styles and designs, and are a very cool collectible. They happen to personally be one of my favorite styles of lapel pins to collect, because they are internationally available, meaning that because motorcycle clubs (and biker gangs) exist all over the globe.
Odyssey of the mind is a creative problem solving competition centered around teamwork and creative solutions. OOTM was founded in 1978 and has been an international craze ever since. The organization’s mascot, Omer is an iconic symbol that graces the face of many Odyssey of the Mind Pins.
Odyssey of the Mind pins are extremely popular. Teams trade pins at the World Finals and have done so for 20 years! OOTM has many rules in place for trading pins at the World Finals, and kids have a wonderful time trading and collecting their Odyssey of the Mind pins.
