Lapel pins are not just jewelry; they are a way to show off a wearer's
passion, affiliation, hobby or travels. Many people collect and trade
lapel pins with a fervor usually reserved for rookie baseball cards.
Speaking of baseball, the New York Yankees sells more lapel pins than
any other baseball team! Each Olympics typically has a signature pin,
and you can get your commemorative lapel pin at Disneyland, the Bronx
Zoo or from the New Mexico bureau of tourism. Any interest one might
have can literally be worn on your sleeve (or lapel).

Lapel pins gained popularity during mid-century, as people wore pins
to show their support for Presidential candidates. One such rare pin
showing Abraham Lincoln has been valued for more than $650. At that
time, lapel pins that were shipped all over the country were often the
first time that people saw what Abraham Lincoln looked like. These
political lapel pins evolved into the campaign buttons familiar today.

More than wearable art or political declarations, lapel pins can have
very personal significance. When shopping at the local department
store, you might notice the employee with the "diamond" star lapel
pin, indicating their outstanding level of service to the business.
The market to create custom pins for businesses and service clubs is
quite large, with hundreds of manufacturers to choose from. Lapel pins
are often badges of honor - given to excellent performers, service
people and teachers. After 9/11 many Americans wore lapel pins
depicting the World Trade Center. Lapel pins are a way of
communicating to

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