Olympic highlight a world of Collectibles

While the Olympic Games originated in the ancient world, they still stir great worldwide excitement today. I have appraised many collectibles associated with the Olympic Games over the years including pins, sponsor apparel, press tickets to individual events, stadium equipment (a field-used track hurdle and baton), and even a torch carried in the famous relay that transports the Olympic flame from ancient Greece to the host city.

Recently, I appraised Olympic memorabilia during one of my many trips to Atlanta, where I tape Discovery’s Auction Kings tv show. Atlanta was the American host city for the 100^th anniversary of the modern Olympics in 1996 and the city’s residents have some special Olympic collectibles. Recently, the NBC tv station there asked me to share some tips with viewers about Olympic collectibles.

Some of the most popular Olympic collectibles are also the most accessible and easiest to obtain. Many people the world over assemble pin collections from the Olympic Games. There are numerous categories of Olympic pins and many collectors, known adoringly as pinheads, have extensive collections. Some pins reflect the Olympic spirit featuring the highly recognizable Olympic rings and attributes of host cities.

Collecting the Sponsors

Other pins focus on sponsors like IBM, Coca-Cola, or McDonalds. Sponsor pins are produced by corporations that either sponsor or supply products or services to an Olympic Games. The corporate logo is usually prominent in designing these pins and in certain cities, particular sponsor pins command high prices when traded such as Coca Cola pins in Atlanta or McDonald’s pins in Los Angeles. 

Mascot Memorabilia

There are very desirable pins which highlight the adorable mascots like Izzy from the 1996 Atlanta games or Wenlock and Mandeville from this year’s London games. Mascot pins have become very collectible with pinheads and others. Some of the most famous mascots like Misha the bear (Moscow 1980), Cobi the dog (Barcelona 1992), and Athena and Phevos whose figures were based on the form of ancient dolls found at Greek archaeological sites (Athens 2004) are the most expensive Olympic collectibles. The mascot pins command the highest values on the collectibles market. Pins showing the mascots participating in a particular sporting event bring excitement and big bucks to collectors. Don’t overlook the pins which focus on an individual sport like swimming, gymnastics, and track and field.

Commemorative pins are issued by an Olympic Committee to raise funds to support a nation’s athletes. The national flag, indigenous animals, or famous landmarks of a particular nation are the basis for these pin designs—and on these pins, the Olympic Rings are prominent. For instance, there were many commemorative and historical pins issued for the 1996 Atlanta Games making these pins some of the most expensive ranging in value from $50 to $250 each. For those of you, who want to cash in on the Olympic buzz, this is the time to sell. And for the rest of you who want to hold your pins and revel in the Olympic mania, you will have to wait to enjoy the market spite associated with the 2106 Olympics in Rio.

If you are like me, you are more than ready to take in all of the excitement and fanfare of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. I lived and worked in London for some time so I am excited to relive memories of some of my favorite London sites, share in the thrill of competitive sports with a worldwide audience, and advise people about Olympic collectibles. So, get your 2012 Wenlock and Mandeville mascot pins and take a sip from your London Olympic water bottle. Go team USA!

Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on Discovery channel’s Auction Kings airs Thursdays at 9 PM. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori or call (888) 431-1010.