PIN TRADING TERMINOLOGY
Artist Proof (AP) Pins
Artist Proof pins are created early into the manufacturing process to verify quality and proof-of-concept. AP pins have an AP stamped on their back. Generally 20–24 Artist Proof pins are made of each pin per run. Some collectors may value AP pins more than others due to their scarcity.
Backer Cards
Backer cards are the pieces of paper or plastic backing that Open Edition, Limited Edition, and Limited Release pins are usually affixed to. Disney Pins are generally more collectible when they are accompanied by the original backer card.
Back Stamp
A pin's back stamp contains information about the pin and can include copyright information, an official Pin Trading logo, and edition size.
Booster Packs
Booster packs are a carded collection of multiple official Disney Pin Trading pins used as a starter set for those new to Disney Pin Trading. Often lower in cost than Open Edition (OE) pins, these are commonly used, along with Mystery Pins to trade with Cast Members.
Build-A-Pin Pins
The Build-A-Pin program was introduced in 2002 and retired in Summer 2004. Guests could personalize pins bases with character add-ons. After selecting their favorite base and add on, the pin was assembled with a special machine.
Cast Lanyard Pins (see also Hidden Mickey Pins)
Cast Lanyard pins (also known as Hidden Mickey pins) are only available for initial trade with Cast Members (i.e. not available for purchase) and are identified by a silver Mickey on the pin. Typically part of a series of similarly-themed Cast Lanyard pins, these are sought after by pin collectors due to their rarity. Once a series of Cast Lanyard pins has been replaced on Cast Member lanyards, they may become available in specially marked mystery pouches until the remaining supply is exhausted.
Chaser Pins
A Chaser pin is a rare or difficult to acquire as part of a series. They can often be colour variants of a known pin, such as Chaser pins in a Cast Lanyard (also known as Hidden Mickey) pin series.
Cloisonné
A French word meaning "partitioned”, Cloisonné pins refer to a style of pin in which the surface decoration is set in designated sections, one color at a time. Cloisonné also refers to a pin type in which crushed minerals and pigments are used to create coloring on a pin.
Continuing the Pin Trading Tradition (CTT) Pins
These annual pins were created for guest recognition by cast members. Guests may be awarded a Continuing The Pin Trading Tradition pin for demonstrating positive Disney Pin Trading etiquette and for promoting Disney Pin Trading.
D23 Pins
D23 pins are those produced by the official Disney Fan Club (D23) exclusively for members and the biennial D23 convention.
Dangle Pins
Dangle pins have an extension feature on the base of the pin that dangles from one or more small loops or chains.
Die Cast
Die Cast pins are cast from brass zinc alloy using high-quality hand engraved dies which create an eye-catching, three-dimensional image on the pin.
Disney Soda Fountain (DSF) Pins (see also Disney Studio Store Hollywood Pins)
Disney Soda Fountain (also known as Disney Studio Store Hollywood) pins are among the most desirable and collectible Disney pins. Only available at the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain shop next to the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, there are both Open Edition (OE), and the more popular and collectible Limited Edition (LE) and Pin, Trader Delight pins.
Although Open Edition pins (blue backer cards) are available in the store, Limited Edition pins (black backer cards) are only available by lottery online and in-store. Pin Trader Delight pins are available only with the purchase of a sundae from the soda fountain.
Disney Studio Store Hollywood (DSSH) Pins (see also Disney Soda Fountain Pins)
Disney Studio Store (also known as Disney Soda Fountain) pins are among the most desirable and collectible Disney pins. Only available at the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain shop next to the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, there are both Open Edition (OE), and the more popular and collectible Limited Edition (LE) and Pin, Trader Delight pins.
Although Open Edition pins (blue backer cards) are available in the store, Limited Edition pins (black backer cards) are only available by lottery online and in-store. Pin Trader Delight pins are available only with the purchase of a sundae from the soda fountain.
Epoxy Coating
Epoxy coating is a glassy, opaque substance used as a decorative or protective coating. When the coating dries, it forms a smooth, glossy surface. The quality of the epoxy coating is often used as a test of the authenticity of a pin, since scrapper pins are often of and inferior epoxy coating quality.
Fantasy Pins
A pin commissioned or produced by Disney pin collectors that contains similarities to Disney pins, but has not been created or endorsed by Disney. Although these pins are not sanctioned to trade with Cast Members, collectors may trade for these pins amongst themselves.
Flocking
A flocked pin has an area that is fuzzy and are often deemed less desirable by serious pin collectors.
FREE-D Pins
Free-D stands for Fastened Rubber Element on a pin for extra dimension on these pins. Pins that feature Free-D elements sometimes have discoloring issues and extra precautions should be taken to make sure that the Free-D element is not dirtied, which makes them less desirable for trading.
Gift With Purchase (GWP) Pins
Gift with Purchase (GWP) pins are bonus pins given to guests who purchase a specific dollar amount or merchandise item.
Hard Enamel
Hard enamel is sometimes called the new cloisonné. Just as with cloisonné, each pin is hand-crafted in a process that begins with a flat piece of brass which is die-struck and filled with enamel. The surface is then polished by hand to give it a smooth finish.
Haunted Mansion (HM) Pins
HM denotes a Haunted Mansion attraction pin.
Hidden Mickey (HM) (see also Cast Lanyard Pins) Pins
HM denotes a Hidden Mickey (also known as Cast Lanyard) pin. Hidden Mickey pins are only available for initial trade with Cast Members (i.e. not available for purchase) and are identified by a silver Mickey on the pin. Typically part of a series of similarly-themed Hidden Mickey pins, these are sought after by pin collectors due to their rarity. Once a series of Hidden Mickey pins has been replaced on Cast Member lanyards, they may become available in specially marked mystery pouches until the remaining supply is exhausted.
Hitchhiking Ghosts (HHG) Pins
HHG, or the Hitchhiking Ghosts, are the most famous residents of the Haunted Mansion.
Jumbo Pins
Jumbo Pins are larger and often more intricately designed than a regular size pin, typically released for special events and anniversaries.
Lenticular Pins
A lenticular pin has two or more images that change when tilted back and forth.
Light-Up Pins
A light-up pin has lights in its design that flash when activated. The Light-up element has been used less in recent years due to difficulties in battery replacement and metal corrosion.
Limited Edition (LE) Pins
Limited Edition pins are those with low edition size. The "back stamp" (the text on the back of a pin) on the pin will list the edition size for that pin, after which the pin is retired. Sometimes, a Limited Edition pin will be individually numbered meaning it will be #XXX of XXXX (depending upon edition size).
Limited Release (LR) Pins
Limited Release (LR) pins are typically produced for anniversaries, special events and festivals (i.e. Food and Wine Festival) that are only available for limited amount of time. Unlike Limited Edition (LE) pins, in cases where Limited Release pins are sold out, they can be reproduced for sale during the release period.
Mickey's Mystery Pin Machine
Debuting at Mouse Gear in Epcot at WDW in late 2007, the machines were a modified Gravity Hill arcade machine that dispensed a pin regardless of the outcome of the game. These pins were part of small collections consisting of five pins each. Although the pins originally cost $5 and were distributed randomly, remaining pins were sold as gift with purchase (GWP) pins. These machines have been removed.
Monthly Release Pins
Monthly release pins are those part of a series that are released on a monthly basis either at The Disney Store or a Disney Park. Often, monthly release pins are limited edition or limited release, which makes them popular among collectors, with the first in each series, or popular characters and themes being among the most prized by collectors.
Name Pins
Name Pins are pins that have a name engraved on them. Name pins may not be traded with cast members. These include cast member name tags.
Open Edition (OE) Pins (see also Rack Pins)
Open Edition (OE), also called Rack Pins, are pins introduced and sold until they are discontinued or retired. These pins are re-ordered for up to several consecutive years. Depending upon the number of features on the pin (such as pin-on-pin or spinner feature), the retail price will increase.
Piece of History (POH) Pins
A Piece of History pin from the 2005 set is considered to be one of the rarest series in Disney Pin Trading. Each pin contains a small prop piece from a Walt Disney World attraction. The success of the series has led to a 2006 and 2008 set and a 2009 and 2010 set for Disneyland Resort.
Pin Traders Delight (PTD) (see also Disney Soda Fountain Pins and Disney Studio Store Hollywood Pins)
The Pin Trader Delight is an ice cream sundae that comes with a limited edition pin as a gift with purchase. This sundae is only available at the Ghirardelli Studio Store located in Hollywood, California. Each pin depicts the featured character eating an ice cream sundae and are highly sought after as typically they have an edition size between 300 and 750. Sundaes are limited to 2 per person provided that the gift pins for each sundae are not the same to evenly distribute these highly collectible pins.
Pin Trading Nights (PTN)
Pin Trading Nights are officially planned pin trading evenings for Disney Pin Traders at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or Disneyland Paris resorts. During PTNs, guests are invited to trade with one another as well as preview upcoming pin releases. Usually there are pin releases specifically scheduled for Pin Trading Nights that can be pre-ordered through the Random Selection Process (RSP). Often, a Limited Edition pin is released to commemorate the pin trading night specific to that event.
Pre-Production (PP) Pins
Pre-Production (PP) pins are produced prior to final pin design being manufacturing as factory samples. These pins sometimes contain different coloring, fills or features than the final production pin as the design is finalized. Beginning in late 2007, the pins contain a “PP” stamp on the back to note the pin type. Pins prior to the “PP” stamp will contain a Pro Products label signifying it is a pre-production pin.
Rack Pins (see also Open Edition Pins)
Rack pins, also called Open Edition (OE), are pins introduced and sold until they are discontinued or retired. These pins are re-ordered for up to several consecutive years. Depending upon the number of features on the pin (such as pin-on-pin or spinner feature), the retail price increases.
Random Selection Process (RSP) Pins (see also Pin Trading Nights)
The Random Selection Process(RSP) is the method to distribute Limited Edition (LE) pins are fairly at pin events, such as Pin Trading Nights (PTNs) and larger pin convention type events (such as the annual EPCOT Center pin event). To participate, each guest submits a form which has slots for the Limited Edition merchandise items offered. Each slot is filled in order based on pin availability. For example, if 1000 forms were to be submitted and 50 forms had an LE 25 framed set in their first slot, the first 25 forms would be given the purchase, with the remaining 25 given the opportunity to purchase their second-slot pin. Typically, there are three rounds of the RSP process with the smaller editions being unavailable to purchase in a subsequent round. RSP forms only allow a style of pin to appear once on each RSP form so that there is a better, fairer chance of each person getting at least one (1) pin on their list.
Retired Pins
Retired (or discontinued) pins are pins that are no longer in production. Disney periodically "retires" pins so they can introduce new, updated pin versions, such as a new resort hotel pin.
Scrapper Pins
A scrapper pin is an unauthorized pin (can also include literal “scrap” pins which failed quality assurance). Typically, scrapper pins are created when molds Disney uses to make pins are not destroyed after the creation of its pin order, and non-Disney approved pins are created. This practice has flooded Disney park pin boards and secondary markets like eBay with cheap imitations, mostly of cast lanyard (also known as Hidden Mickey) pins and mystery release pins. Some are sold on eBay or found in the parks before the real pins are even released.
Slider Pins
A slider pin has a movable piece feature that slides back and forth across a pin to add interest to the overall pin design.
Soft Enamel
A soft enamel pin has the design stamped into the base metal. These pins are filled with enamel colors and baked for durability. A final clear epoxy dome is applied to protect the finish. Typically a thinner pin than cloisonné pins.
Spinner Pins
A spinner pin has a spinning mechanism feature that moves a piece of the pin 360 degrees.
Starter Sets
Starter set is a term used to describe a set of pins (usually often with a lanyard) that are themed to a character, movie, year, or theme park. The purpose of this collection is to provide new Disney Pin Traders an affordable way to begin in the hobby. Usually Starter Sets will also include instructions on how to pin trade using the official Disney Pin Trading rules.
"Tradeable" Pins
"Tradeable" pins are typically scrapper pins sold on the premise that they are "tradeable" with Cast Members on the grounds that it has a (albeit falsely claimed) copyright on the back stamp.
Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) Pins
Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) pins are produced exclusively for Disney Cast Members to purchase at the employee store, as well as for special Disney events, such as the D23 and Destination D conventions. These are highly collectible pins due to their scarcity and difficulty in acquiring for many collectors, which is reflected in their prices on the resale market. Sometimes these pins are also known as Mickey’s of Glendale pins after the store in which they are sold.