The World of Disney Auctions Pins and Pin Trading

If you are a Disney fan, then you might already be familiar with Disney Auctions, the premier online destination for one-of-a-kind Disney merchandise and collectibles. Launched in 2000, Disney Auctions and eBay have brought people around the world closer to the magic of Disney, specifically with the Disney pin trading and collecting craze!

We spoke with a Disney Auctions spokesperson, who shared information about Disney Pins with us.

What are Disney Auction Pins and Pin Trading?
Disney Pin Trading is an exciting, interactive experience where guests to Disney Auctions, Disneyland Resort®, Walt Disney World® and other Disney properties trade Disney pins with each other or with Disney theme-park "cast members."

Pin trading is a fun experience for the whole family and it creates cherished "pin" pals to last a lifetime. Pin trading is a low-price way to own a few Disney memories!

In 2001, Disney Auctions began offering limited edition pins for auction, which quickly became very popular.

Who trades?
There are thousands of Disney pin traders across the nation. Pin trading and collecting are open to kids and adults of all ages.

What does “LE” mean?
"LE" stands for "limited-edition." Basically, it means that there were only a certain number of an item produced, therefore, the item is harder to get and is more exclusive than an item that is produced in very large quantities.

This is a common term when referring to exclusive collectibles such as pins. Limited-edition sizes can range from 100 to 5,000 or even higher in some cases.

How do I understand the value of a Disney pin?
There are many different Disney pins that range in dollar value, so it is important to understand the value of a Disney pin so that you can make a fair trade. Oftentimes, the value of a Disney pin can be evaluated just by looking at the pin—how detailed it is, how heavy it is, how large it is, the limited-edition size, etc.

How do I know a pin is a Disney Auctions pin?
Disney Auctions pins stand out because of their size and how they can be purchased. Disney Auctions is the only official division of The Walt Disney Company who sells pins online via eBay.

Disney Auctions pins also tend to be a little larger in physical size and a little smaller in limited-edition size than most other Disney pins. Each and every Disney Auctions pin has our logo on the back of it with a back stamp that reads "Disney Auctions" and the limited-edition size.

How long has Disney pin trading been a popular phenomenon?
Disney has always offered Disney pins in each of its parks, but with the kickoff of the Millennium Celebration in October 1999 at Walt Disney World, the tradition of Disney Pin Trading began. Now thousands of park guests and online guests trade each day with Disney cast members, as well as with other guests throughout the parks, within their local communities, and online.

This is a great activity to share with all generations of your family, and it will leave you with pins you love and memories you will treasure.

What is the difference between pin trading and pin collecting?
Pin Trading involves the act of exchanging one pin for another between two pin traders. Pin Collecting, on the other hand, involves acquiring pins for keepsake purposes by an individual.

Pin Traders are often Pin Collectors and vice versa, because there are so many exciting Disney pins out there to both trade and collect! At Disney Auctions you can buy one pin for your collection and one pin for trading—that way, you are sure to hang on to the Disney Auctions pins you love most!

How often do people trade?
Disney pin traders trade all the time! Whether at organized pin trading events at the theme parks or a casual trade among friends, you can trade as often as you like!

Who are the most popular pin characters?
At Disney Auctions, the most popular pins are those featuring Stitch from Disney's animated "Lilo and Stitch," Tinker Bell from Disney's animated "Peter Pan," and Maleficent from Disney's "Sleeping Beauty," along with Winnie the Pooh & Friends and the Fab 5. Other popular characters also include the Disney princesses and other Disney villains.

What is a lanyard?
A lanyard is something you can wear around your neck that you can attach your pins to for display. Pin traders and cast members wear their pin trading lanyards around the park so that people can actively trade while experiencing the magic of Disney theme parks!

How do I store my pins?
You can store and/or display your exciting Disney pin collection any way you wish, but most traders and collectors have pin bags that contain pages to which they can secure their pins for display purposes.

To find Disney Auction Pins Search eBay and eBay Stores, or go to www.DisneyAuctions.com presented by eBay. To learn more about these collecting or trading these pins, please read the Disney Auctions Pins workshop archive, which was hosted on eBay by a Disney representative in December 2003.

To recommend a Collectibles topic you would like to learn more about for a future Chatter article, email collectibles_newsletter@ebay.com.