Mouse ears are the collectible for some Disney fans, but others can't get enough of the company's decorative pins. Rare Disney pins make up one of the most expensive and expansive collector's markets for Disney memorabilia. Pins regularly sell for thousands of dollars at auction, and we're breaking down what makes these rare Disney pins worth all the hype.
Rare Disney Pins Sweeping the Trading Market
Disney is nothing if not a merchandise-making machine, and they hit it out of the park in 1999 when they debuted pin trading at the Millennium Celebration. Most Disney pins are created in limited edition sets, numbering between 100 and 5,000, making them an ideal collectible for serious Disney fans.
Rare Disney pins are what drive the high prices behind this collector's market, and these are some of the recent big-ticket highlights.
| Rare Disney Pins | Recent Sales Prices |
|---|---|
| Princess Carousel Pins | $3,060 |
| Maleficent Profile Pin | $1,834 |
| 25th Anniversary Black Cauldron Pin Set | $1,477 |
| Princess Ballerinas Set | $1,299 |
Princess Carousel Pins: $3,060
Limited edition pins with 100 or fewer pins made are quite collectible and can sell for thousands of dollars, especially when sold in a completed or semi-completed lot. This lot, featuring Cinderella, Jasmine, Aurora, and Snow White all pinned to their original backings, is one such collectible limited-edition batch.
Only 100 of these limited edition pins were made, making the lot highly collectible. It recently sold for $3,060.
Maleficent Profile Pin: $1,834
Disney villains are just as popular as their heroic adversaries, as this expensive Maleficent pin proves. With only 250 released in 2016, this limited edition pin is rather rare.
Though the pin doesn't have its original backing, it's in good enough condition to be worth quite a bit. One collector recently bought it for around $1,834.
25th Anniversary Black Cauldron Pin Set: $1,477
The Black Cauldron is a bit of a stain on Disney's box office record, but it has its fanbase. To honor the 25th anniversary, Disney released a limited-edition six-pin set. Only 100 of these pins were made, making them highly collectible.
One unopened set recently came up for auction on eBay and sold for $1,477.
Princess Ballerinas Set: $1,299
Disney pins don't have to be old to be worthwhile. In 2024, they released a series of Disney princess ballerina pins in their employee center. Only 250 of these pins were manufactured, and a completed set is very collectible. One collector nabbed all seven (unopened) pins in an eBay listing for $1,299.
What Makes a Disney Pin Rare?
You can't count as high as the number of official Disney pins out there. From limited editions to rare anniversary cast member pins, a small proportion of these pins are rare and valuable.
A few variables that contribute to how rare a Disney pin is considered include:
- When the pin was released
- How large the edition is
- How much a collector is willing to pay for it
There's no comprehensive list detailing the exact value of every Disney collector's pin in the roster, especially considering the sheer number of specialty pins they release every year.
Most pins retail between $10 and $35, but the limited editions retail at a much higher price.
4 Tips for Finding Rare Disney Pins in the Wild
Disney pins are notoriously faked. Avoid shelling out tons of money on counterfeit or "scrapper" pins by knowing the tell-tale signs.
Know the Pin Trading Lingo
Knowledge is power, and you can make every sale a successful one by arming yourself with the pin-trading community's lingo. Look for listings that use acronyms such as LE (limited edition) or LR (limited release) to get an idea of the pin's veracity.
Of course, some traders will be well-versed in the community lingo. So, it can't be the only standard you compare the pins to.
Scrapper pins are Disney-manufactured pins that didn't pass quality control and were "scrapped" into the trashcan. These are commonly sold as genuine pins but are worth a fraction of the price.
Check for Even Enamel
If you shine a light over a genuine Disney pin, you'll notice that the enamel filling in the pin's design has settled into an even layer. There are no dips, divots, or holes in the enamel.
However, scrapper pins and other fakes often have poorly settled enamel. When you shine a light over these pins, these divots and holes are reflected. This is a quick way to test for scrapper pins on the fly.
Look for Sharp and Even Pin Nubs
Pins backs are secured in place by pointy pin nubs. These nubs should be evenly sized, shaped, and present. If you're missing these nubs (and the pin backs settled flat against the pin) or they're misshapen, you could be looking at a fake Disney pin.
Carefully Inspect Bulk Pin Lots
If you're buying Disney pins online, you'll come across more bulk pin lots than individual pin listings. However, it's important that you carefully inspect the pins in that lot. Some use these bulk lots as a way to pass off scrapper pins as the real deal.
If there aren't many clear images available, ask the seller for additional pictures. These should give you some extra insight into the quality of their pins.
Pin Trading Resources to Take Your Collecting Up a Notch
New to Disney pin collecting and trading? There are a few extra resources for you to check out.
- The Disney Store: You can find and buy the latest pin releases at Disney's online store.
- Pin Pics: Pin Pics is an industry staple for researching and trading Disney pins. Use its search feature to learn more about the pins in your collection and how many collectors are interested in them.
- Disney Pin Forum: If you cut your teeth on the early internet, then the Disney Pin Forum might be the perfect place for you to connect with other collectors and get all your questions answered.
- r/DisneyPinSwap: Reddit has its own Disney pin trading subreddit called r/DisneyPinSwap, where you can share with other pin collectors, sell and buy pins, and discuss all things Disney pins.
While you can trade official Disney pins at Disney theme parks with cast members, there are strict rules and regulations that you must follow.
You Can't Put a Pin in These Values
While the majority of Disney pins aren't worth four figures, some rare pins make a big splash on the resell market. Whether you collect pins from your favorite films, no matter their rarity, or you save up for those big purchases, one thing's for sure — there will always be more Disney pins for you to collect.
